Oyo: Arapaja Invades venue of PDP Primaries With Armed Thugs, Forces Aspirants Out – Group Alleges

A group in the Oyo State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Concerned People Frontiers (CPF) has alleged that the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja invaded the venue of the primaries of both the House of Assembly for Ibadan South East Constituencies I and II, as well as that of the Federal House of Representatives with armed thugs and security personnel, who allegedly harassed, intimidated and forced aspirants and some delegates out of the venue of the programme.

The group alleged that the armed thugs and security personnel, on the order of Arapaja, threatened to shoot them if they refused to leave the venue of the programme.

It was alleged that Arapaja armed with thugs, police, and soldiers moved round the venue of the primaries at Saint John Primary School, Alake, Academy for Constituency II, Mapo Hall for Constituency I and Goodwill Hall, Adekile Orita Aperin, Ibadan for the primary of the House of Representatives, chased away aspirants and some delegates to pave way for his unpopular aspirants.

The group, in a statement on Monday signed by its Coordinator and Secretary, Adewale Ajani, and Kunle Fasasi, respectively alleged that Arapaja used security agents and thugs to force all his perceived opponents, including aspirants and some delegates out of the venue of the primaries, and alleged that aspirants were beaten at Mapo, Hall, venue of the primary of Ibadan Southeast Constituency I for the state house of assembly.

While promising to challenge the outcome of the primary election, CFP insisted that no primary election was held for Ibadan South East/North East Federal Constituency for the House of Representatives and for state house of assembly constituencies I and II on Sunday.

It will be recalled that there had been a series of internal crises within the PDP in the state in the last few weeks over who will represent the constituencies at 2023 general elections due to the alleged planned imposition of the incumbent repreentatives of the area through consensus, which was rebuffed by other aspirants.

The failure of the aspirants to agree on a consensus made the party organise the primary election on Sunday.

The statement read, “The Deputy National Chairman of our party, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja invaded the venue of the primaries with armed thugs, police, and soldiers harassing, intimidating, and threatening us with guns and ordering us to leave the venue of the primary or we would be shot.

“We are going to challenge what happened legally because there was no primary election, some delegates and aspirants were prevented from exercising their electoral franchise.

“What transpired at the venue of the primary showed that the PDP government in Oyo State is not about people, but about a cabal, who can do anything to achieve their goals.

-Kunle Bakare.