Adebayo Adenrele
…seeks release of supporters remanded at Correctional Centre
Barrister Victor Olumuyiwa Kolade, popularly known as VOK, has called for the cancellation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency II consisting of Ijero, Ekiti West and Efon Local Government Areas, demanding a fresh poll.
Recall that the primary election, which was held nationwide on Saturday, May 16, 2026 saw Kolade polled 2,096 votes, while the declared winner, Oladapo Karounwi scored 6,573 votes to defeat the incumbent, Abiodun Omoleye who secured 1,412 votes.
Addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital after the announcement of the results, Kolade alleged widespread irregularities and insisted that what transpired during the primary did not reflect the intention behind the party’s adoption of direct primaries.
Kolade questioned the credibility of the process, alleging that there was no proper accreditation or identification of party members before voting commenced.
The aspirant accused party officials of sidelining established procedures during the conduct of the primary, alleging that the figures announced by the party did not tally with reports allegedly obtained from the field.
Despite his grievances, Kolade said he would explore internal party mechanisms to challenge the outcome.
He called on the APC leadership and stakeholders to reflect on the implications of the exercise for the future of the party.
His words, “To the best of my knowledge, I would say that the exercise is a filthy one. Very filthy exercise, disappointing, and there is nothing encouraging to write home about it.
“I’ll tell you most sincerely that 99 per cent of party faithfuls did not expect what actually transpired yesterday. We have witnessed several primaries, direct or indirect, but something critical and quite disappointing happened yesterday which makes one wonder what is going on within our party.
“There was nothing like identification or accreditation. The rules provide that you must determine who and who lined up and who is a registered member of the party. How do you determine who voted yesterday?
“The figures brought in from the field by APC election committee do not correspond with the figures released by the party. So I’m wondering whether the results announced were actually the results monitored by INEC.
“I asked for the party register, there was nothing. The APC election committee official that came said he was given no document. I asked who the returning officer was, and the returning officers were chosen by party people.
“In some wards, the returning officer counted, not the INEC people. Before APC election committee came, figures had already been recorded. That was the end of the election.
“I was the candidate to beat in the three local governments, but they awarded me 2,000 votes and awarded the supposed winner 6,000 votes.
“The party has rules and guidelines. After the election there is an appeal committee, and if you are dissatisfied, you can take the next step. I have to explore those avenues provided by the party.
“When people speak and you suppress their views, definitely something will happen somewhere along the line. You don’t suppress the voice of the masses.
“In my campaign and political ministry, I’m an agent of peace. I don’t encourage people to fight. They should maintain peace and seek lawful means to address grievances.
“My prayer is that the results should be cancelled and a real primary election should be ordered where justice will prevail and where it will not appear as though the government was contesting against the aspirants”.
Kolade also demanded the release of some of his supporters reportedly remanded at a correctional centre following incidents linked to the primary election.
He urged authorities to ensure that innocent party members were not victimised in the aftermath of the exercise.
