Ondo APC lost to internal wrangling, says Boroffice

The lawmaker representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, who was just re-elected to the Upper Chamber for the third term, on Monday attributed the ‘unimpressive’ outcome of the election in the state to overwhelming crack within the ruling party.

He noted the division in the party became noticeable shortly after the 2016 governorship primaries.

Out of the three incumbent APC Senators that contested for the election, only Boroffice was reelected.

He scored 53,199 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Dr Tunji Abayomi, who was formerly an APC stalwart but pulled out of the party when he lost its senatorial ticket and eventually become AA senatorial flag bearer, scoring 43,100.

Abayomi was alleged to be funded by the state government against APC.

It led to a protest in Abuja by members of the APC Mandate Group, who pleaded with the national leadership of the party to caution those perpetrating anti-party activities within its fold.

However, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu at every occasion denied sponsoring AA.

Sources hinted that supporters of APC were poorly mobilized for the last elections, a development observers believed also contributed to its dismal outing.

Boroffice, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Science& Technology said:” I took the verdict of the last Saturday election with mixed feelings. We lost to PDP but my people in Ondo North gave me the mandate to retain my seat there in spite of all odds.

“It is so sad that we lost Ondo Central and Ondo North senatorial seats to the opposition PDP. We went to the election as a divided house.

“It is so painful but I thank God I delivered my area to President Muhammadu Buhari,who is a credible leader.

“Although I was all alone doing my campaigns and I appreciate my supporters and people in Ondo North for reposing confidence in me.”

He also blamed the APC woes during the last election in the state on inept party structure and malfunctioning state party executives that believed in themselves alone.

The Asiwaju of Akoko hailed the smooth conduct of the election,while appreciating the security operatives, INEC Officials and electorate for their professionalism and maturity.

He pledged to influence the Senate on how to tackle the poor road situation in Akoko during the next Assembly.

Besides, he expressed the need for total overhauling of the APC structure in the state for the party to remain relevant.