~Demands Clarification from Party Leadership
The House of Representatives aspirant for Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency, Hon. Ishaq Morufat Ajibola (BIBIRE), has rejected the purported emergence and circulation of Hon. Iyiola Ibrahim Dudu as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the constituency.
In a press statement made available to FRESHPAGE, Hon. Morufat Ajibola said the development is not only disturbing but also raises fundamental questions about the commitment of APC to internal democracy, transparency, fairness, and the rule of law.
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Hon. Morufat therefore demands that the party leadership publicly clarify the process through which Hon. Iyiola Ibrahim Dudu was allegedly issued an INEC nomination form and presented as the APC candidate.
She queried party constitutional process that produced this outcome. She asked further; “under what provision of the APC Constitution or Electoral Guidelines was this decision taken? Is this the democratic culture our founding fathers sacrificed to build?”
“It is a matter of public record that the APC conducted a duly recognized primaries in which Hon. Ishaq Morufat Ajibola emerged victorious after a transparent and credible exercise witnessed by party stakeholders. The mandate freely given by party delegates cannot be discarded through arbitrary decisions or backdoor arrangements.
“It is unacceptable that, after party members and aspirants invested enormous time, resources, commitment, and political goodwill in strengthening the APC, the outcome of a democratic primary is now being undermined through an alleged substitution that lacks transparency and legitimacy.
“The APC is a party founded on justice, equity, and democratic principles. Any attempt to replace the validly nominated candidate outside the established constitutional procedures amounts to a betrayal of those principles and poses a serious threat to party unity, members’ confidence, and our collective electoral fortunes.
“Hon. Morufat wishes to make it abundantly clear that party members are neither ignorant nor expendable. Every aspirant deserves fairness, and every delegate’s vote must be respected. Democracy loses its meaning when the wishes of party members are sacrificed for undisclosed interests.
Our Resolutions
1. We categorically reject any attempt to impose or recognize any individual other than the winner of the duly conducted APC primary election.
2. We call on the APC leadership at all levels to immediately explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged nomination of Hon. Iyiola Ibrahim Dudu and make public the legal basis for such action.
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3. We demand that the party uphold the outcome of the valid primary election and respect the mandate freely given to Hon. Ishaq Morufat Ajibola by party delegates.
4. We urge all party faithful to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding while constitutional and legitimate steps are taken to protect the integrity of the party and the sanctity of the democratic process.
5. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the ideals of justice, fairness, internal democracy, and the supremacy of the APC Constitution.
The APC cannot genuinely aspire to reclaim the Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency while undermining the very democratic principles upon which the party was built. Justice delayed may test the patience of loyal members, but justice denied threatens the unity and future of the party.
The mandate of the people is sacred. Internal democracy is not negotiable. The will of party members must prevail.
