The Presidency has reportedly expressed anger over the barrage of protests that greeted the release of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms to the All Progressives Congress(APC) national assembly candidates in Ondo State.
It was gathered that the Presidency expressed reservations on the alleged involvement of the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Seun Osamaye, and the APC State Women Leader, Iji-Ayeola, in the protest against President Bola Tinubu and the party’s leadership.
Reliable sources said security agencies had been directed to investigate the organisers and sponsors of the protests.
According to sources, the presidency is displeased by the actions of the group loyal to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The sources said the presidency was disturbed that such protests took place in Ondo, an APC-controlled state.
Sources noted that Osamaye was seen in the viral videos leading the protesters and addressing journalists.
“Did you notice that Ondo was the only state where such a protest took place?
“Interestingly, while his supporters were protesting in Akure, the governor was in Abuja appealing to Chief Bisi Akande and Chief Pius Akinyelure to facilitate a meeting with the President, but the party elders declined.
“It should never have happened in Ondo State.
“President Bola Tinubu was instrumental to Governor Aiyedatiwa’s emergence. Without the President’s intervention, it would have been difficult for him to overcome the challenges posed by aspirants such as Chief Olusola Oke, SAN; Wale Akinterinwa, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, and others during the 2024 governorship race.
“At one point, the President appealed to Senator Jimoh Ibrahim to withdraw his court case challenging the primary that produced Aiyedatiwa as the party’s candidate. If the President did all these for you, is this the way to repay him?
“The issue we are witnessing in Ondo State arose because of his insistence on taking all the National Assembly tickets.
“I am aware that Chief Akinyelure personally appealed to the governor to concede some constituencies in the interest of party unity ahead of President Tinubu’s re-election.
“We were told the governor rejected the advice, insisting that he was the leader of the party in the state and nobody could dictate to him.
“The same party leader he allegedly ignored is now the person he is seeking to help secure an audience with the President.
“What the party has done has strengthened unity within the APC in Ondo State.
“During the primary, we are aware that the secretary and some members of the National Assembly Primary Election Committee left the state in protest after refusing to compromise.
“They returned to Abuja and submitted their report, which formed part of the over 700 petitions reviewed by the National Working Committee before it reached its final decision,” a chieftain of APC in Ondo State, who pleaded anonymity said.
