Hundreds of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday turned out to vote for governorship aspirant Abayomi Hunye during the party’s governorship primaries held at Tube Ward in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The primary election at the ward was conducted peacefully, with Hunye arriving early to cast his vote before other party members and supporters participated in the exercise.
Speaking with journalists shortly after voting, Hunye dismissed rumours circulating within the party that he had been disqualified or not cleared to contest in the primaries.
According to him, the large turnout of supporters at his polling unit reflected his popularity and acceptance among party members across Ogun State.
He stated that despite attempts to spread false information about his eligibility, supporters still came out in large numbers to demonstrate their loyalty and confidence in his candidacy.
Reports from some other wards in the state alleged that supporters believed to be loyal to Hunye were chased away from voting centres.
However, the governorship aspirant maintained that voting in his own ward remained peaceful and orderly, including for those perceived to support rival aspirants.
Hunye appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun to ensure that all votes cast during the primaries are counted fairly and without bias.
He also urged party leaders not to allow what he described as “enemies of democracy” to undermine the credibility of the primary process, insisting that party members should be allowed to freely choose their preferred candidate.
The APC aspirant further reassured supporters that he remains fully in the race and urged the public to disregard rumours suggesting otherwise.
Meanwhile, the campaign office of Hunye raised concerns over the arrest of one of his supporters, Mr. Segun Avoseh, during the APC governorship primary election at Maun Ward 1 in Ipokia Local Government Area.
In a statement signed by the Abayomi Hunye Campaign Office, the campaign alleged that Avoseh, a card-carrying APC member and party agent, was arrested after resisting attempts to prevent supporters of Hunye from participating in the primary election.
The statement further alleged that officers at a police station claimed to recognize only Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola as the sole governorship aspirant, leading to the continued detention of Avoseh.
The campaign described the incident as a threat to fairness, neutrality, and democratic participation within the party and called on the Ogun State Commissioner of Police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
The campaign also demanded the immediate release of Avoseh if no lawful grounds exist for his detention, equal treatment for supporters of all aspirants, and protection of the integrity of the primary election process.
