By Hon. (Barr.) Akinwumi Samson Sowore, a former Ondo State Commissioner and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has defended the party’s submission of its House of Representatives candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the process followed the party’s constitution and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Speaking with Pulsewire.ng, Akinwumi dismissed allegations that the candidates’ list sent to INEC did not reflect the outcome of the party’s primaries.
“The APC has a structure, and the structure is so unique. The party has mechanisms for handling all issues arising from its primaries and nominations. The appeal committee looked into the complaints, made recommendations, and the National Working Committee approved the final list before it was sent to INEC,” he said.
According to him, the APC’s constitution gives clear mechanisms for resolving disputes from party primaries, adding that the National Working Committee has the constitutional power to take final decisions on candidate nominations.
“The party has the supreme power to manage its internal affairs. Whatever grievances exist, there are mechanisms within the party to resolve them,” Akinwumi said.
His comments come amid protests by some APC members in Ondo State, who claimed that the list sent to INEC did not reflect the true winners of the House of Representatives primaries.
However, Akinwumi maintained that the national leadership acted in the best interest of the party after it reviewed petitions from aggrieved aspirants.
He also played down the protests, saying those opposing the party’s decision make up only a small percentage of the APC in the state.
“Those protesting today cannot be more than 25 per cent of the APC family in Ondo State. More than 75 per cent of our members are happy with the decision of the party and fully support the national leadership,” he said.
He also criticised the leadership style of the Ondo State governor, claiming the administration has pushed out key stakeholders within the party.
“What we lack in Ondo State is inclusive leadership. The governor runs what I can best describe as a government tied to dictatorship and nepotism. Leadership is beyond occupying an office; it requires consultation, responsibility, and carrying everyone along,” Akinwumi said.
Commenting on the protest led by the state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Seun Bosede Osamaye, Akinwumi described the action as an act of indiscipline, arguing that aggrieved members should seek redress through the party’s internal dispute resolution channels.
“As a serving commissioner, you cannot stage a protest against your own party without the knowledge of the governor. It is a high level of indiscipline, and I believe the party leadership will take appropriate action,” he said.
Despite the ongoing disagreement, Akinwumi urged APC members to stay calm and united, saying he was confident the party’s constitutional mechanisms would resolve the crisis.
“I appeal to all party members to remain united. The APC has always resolved its internal issues, and I believe this situation will not be different,” he said.
