A House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Chief Dr. Victor Olusegun Ategbole, popularly known as Bobagunwa, has dismissed reports questioning his qualification to participate in the party’s primary election for Akoko South-East/Akoko South-West Federal Constituency of Ondo State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Ategbole said he duly participated in the screening exercise conducted by the APC and was cleared to contest the primary election.
He maintained that he was never officially notified of any disqualification before or during the exercise, nor invited to appear before any appeal panel as stipulated by the party’s constitution and guidelines.
Citing Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Ategbole argued that every citizen is entitled to fair hearing, adding that Article 21.4 of the APC Constitution also guarantees aggrieved aspirants the right to appeal before any final decision can take effect.
According to him, attempts to raise issues of disqualification after delegates had already cast their votes violated constitutional provisions and due process.
He said despite the controversy, the primary election was peacefully conducted across the constituency, with delegates freely expressing their democratic choice.
Ategbole stated that he was officially declared winner of the APC primary election by the Returning Officer for the constituency, Hon. Akin Aibinuommo, after polling 12,011 votes to defeat the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Adegboyega Adefarati, who scored 1,965 votes.
The APC chieftain added that the Returning Officer affirmed that he met all constitutional requirements and secured the highest number of valid votes cast in the election.
Describing the outcome as “a victory for the people and the grassroots,” Ategbole expressed appreciation to party faithful, stakeholders, youths, women, and elders for their support throughout the process.
He also appealed to his supporters to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding while awaiting the final resolution of the matter by the leadership of the party.
“The voice of the people has been clearly expressed, and we remain confident that truth, fairness, and justice shall prevail,” the statement read.
