A member of the House of Representatives and aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, Hon. Akinlayo Davidson Kolawole, has rejected the results announced for the exercise, describing them as inconsistent with the wishes of party delegates and supporters.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Assistant on Special Duty, Kunle Adetifa, the lawmaker said the outcome declared by the Returning Officer did not reflect the true votes cast during the primary election.

Kolawole alleged that the process fell short of the standards of transparency, fairness and due process expected in a credible party primary, insisting that the announced results failed to represent the actual will of delegates across the constituency.

The federal lawmaker maintained that his aspiration enjoyed massive grassroots support throughout Ekiti North Federal Constituency II and expressed confidence that a transparent collation process would have affirmed the mandate given to him by party faithful.

He called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress and relevant electoral authorities to intervene by reviewing the conduct of the primary election and ensuring that the authentic outcome of the exercise is upheld in accordance with party guidelines and democratic principles.

Kolawole also appealed to his supporters to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them that all legitimate and lawful measures would be pursued to protect their mandate and preserve the integrity of the electoral process.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives Election Committee has announced the results of the party’s just-concluded primary elections in Ekiti State, declaring that the National Working Committee (NWC) will determine the final outcome of the disputed Ekiti North Federal Constituency I primary.

Chairman of the election committee and returning officer, Asipa Adedoyin Wasiu Banjo, said the primary election in the Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency was disrupted by crises beyond the control of the committee.

According to him, the issues that emerged during the exercise were beyond the powers of the committee to resolve, adding that there was no provision for a rerun under the party’s constitution.

Banjo explained that the APC National Working Committee would review the situation and determine the final outcome of the Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency House of Representatives primary election.

The election was keenly contested between former House of Representatives member Bimbo Daramola and incumbent lawmaker Akin Rotimi. Controversy, however, trailed the exercise after one of the aspirants was alleged to have announced himself winner in the media while the electoral process was still ongoing.

Another aspirant in the constituency, Kemi Elebute-Halle, also alleged in a viral video that some of her supporters were prevented from participating in the exercise, particularly in Ward 10, Ikole-Ekiti.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Oladapo Karounwi, emerged winner of the APC primary for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency II. Karounwi defeated incumbent House of Representatives member, Biodun Omoleye, polling 6,573 votes against Omoleye’s 1,412 votes.

In Ekiti South Federal Constituency I, Toyin Okoro defeated serving lawmaker Rufus Adeniyi Ojuawo to secure the party’s ticket.

Also, Oluwafemi Bamisile won the APC ticket for Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, paving the way for a third-term bid in the House of Representatives.

Similarly, former House of Representatives member Ibrahim Olarewaju defeated Akinlayo Kolawole to clinch the APC ticket for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II.

In Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I, Olusola Fatoba also secured the party’s ticket for a third-term ambition.

The member representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency II in the House of Representatives, Akinlayo Kolawole Davidson, has dismissed allegations linking him to the sponsorship of thugs to disrupt the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Ekiti State.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the lawmaker described the allegation as “malicious, baseless and misleading,” accusing political opponents of attempting to tarnish his reputation ahead of the party’s primary election.

According to the statement, Hon. Davidson remains committed to peaceful and credible democratic processes and has never encouraged or financed violence in any form.

The lawmaker stressed that he is a loyal member of the APC who has consistently advocated transparent and violence-free elections within the party and beyond.

He further stated that he remains the only aspirant in Ekiti North Federal Constituency II to have campaigned across all the 32 wards in the constituency, where he engaged directly with party members and stakeholders on issues affecting development, unity and progress.

The statement added that his grassroots support and acceptance across the constituency make any resort to violence unnecessary and contrary to his political beliefs.

Hon. Davidson also denied any connection with individuals allegedly arrested over acts of thuggery, insisting that they are not members of his campaign structure.

The statement claimed that available information indicated that the suspects were non-state actors allegedly working with and on the payroll of the state government, adding that attempts to link them to the lawmaker were deliberate efforts to mislead party members and the public.

While calling on party supporters to disregard the allegation, the federal lawmaker urged security agencies to remain vigilant and investigate individuals spreading falsehood capable of creating tension within the APC.

He reaffirmed his commitment to peace, party unity and the continued development of Ekiti North Federal Constituency II and Ekiti State at large.