2019: Tunji Abayomi dumps APC for AA, blames Oshiomhole
Constitutional lawyer, Tunji Abayomi has dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC for Action Alliance, AA.
Abayomi, who was an APC stalwart in Ondo state, revealed that the
decision was to enable him fulfill his ambition of representing his
senatorial district at the National Assembly at the 2019 polls.
In a letter addressed to Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and
titled “They Just Injured Our Collective Rights And Now I Must Find A
Way Out”, he informed the governor that the alleged role of the National
Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole and the party’s National Working
Committee, NWC during the primaries informed his decision to quit the
APC in order to actualize his dream on the AA platform.
It would be recalled that Abayomi, who has been having a running battle
with Oshiomhole over the emergence of the current Senator representing
Ondo North Senatorial District, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice as the senatorial
district’s candidate at the 2019 polls, had accused the National
Chairman of working against the wish of the people by giving “automatic
tickets” to Boroffice and two other serving senators from the state.
According to the former APC senatorial aspirant, the term “automatic
ticket” is unknown to the party’s constitution which Oshiomhole used to
“block” his chance.
The letter he wrote to Gov. Akeredolu which was obtained by DAILY POST
reads, “In a democracy, eligible members of our party are expected to
vote or agree through consensus who the candidate over them should be in
any election. It is NEVER the leaders who at any rate are expected to
be chosen by the people that impose Candidates in democracy.
“This is why the Constitution of APC defines Candidates as “Any person
who has been nominated at a primary or party election to contest at a
General Election”. Nomination for elections is always the prerogative of
the electors or the people. It is NEVER that of the leaders.
“The APC Constitution in section 20 provides two (2) types of Primary
elections for the Nomination of candidates for the Senate that is
“Through direct or indirect Primary election to be conducted at the
appropriate level.”
“I regret to inform you that the present leadership of APC at the
National level has decided to take away your right to nominate
Candidates as well as my right to be nominated by its unlawful
“Automatic ticket” for all present Senators from Ondo State.
“The National Leadership has appointed its candidate but NOW our people
in the North Senatorial Zone must have a chance to choose their
candidate against Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s appointed Candidates. We
are Ondo State people, our character is to fight for our rights and
insist on these rights.
“You may wish to note that on the 3rd and 4th of October, after
following all Party processes including all payments, and expenses at
various Party levels, I wrote to the National Chairman of APC and APC
NEC as the Constitution of APC requires to allow fair play but got no
reply.
“In keeping with long standing determination to fight for my right and
your right, I will run for Senate in Ondo North Senatorial Zone on the
platform of Action Alliance since the National Leadership of APC under
Adams Oshiomhole has unconstitutionally blocked my chance by forcing its
candidates on us all.”
Abayomi however assured the Governor to return to his camp after winning
the Ondo North Senatorial seat under the platform of AA at next year’s
elections.
“My decision to detour this time has been difficult. Since 2003 I have
been with you. Inspite of the many challenges we faced together I have
not retreated. I have not equivocated. I have not moved an inch because
there was always a chance at redemption. Today the chance is
unconstitutionally totally blocked. In my interest and in your interest I
must keep the chance open. After the next Senatorial election which I
hope to win, I will return to you,” he said.
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