Abeokuta South Aspirants Lament Alleged Extortion, Bribery By APC Leaders

 Aspirants in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State have accused some leaders of All Progressives Congress in the council of extortion and bribery over their ambitions. 

Findings revealed that aspirants have started grumbling over an allegation that APC leaders in Abeokuta South were allegedly planning to have a consensus candidates for the elective positions of the House of Assembly, and House of Representatives. 

It was gathered that the APC leaders were planning to hold a screening for all the aspirants in the LG so as to pick those that would be the consensus candidates of the party in Abeokuta South. 

News Hunter however learnt that this plan has allegedly led to competition among the aspirants as many were reportedly engaging in "buying" the leaders which was reportedly led by former Assembly Speaker, Titi Gomez. 

Findings revealed that aspirants are giving as low as N500, 000 and as high as N10 million naira to the Abeokuta South LG APC leaders. 

It would be recalled that some leaders in Abeokuta South were during the last LG election were accused of collecting money for some aspirants so as to choose them as consensus candidate for the poll. 

Similarly, the same scheme was reportedly going on in the Local Government as a way to get favour from the APC leaders who reportedly have a role in how they would emerge as party candidates. 

Some of the aspirants who spoke with our reporter, but pleaded anonymity listed Chief Muyideen Soremekun, Hon Lekan Adegun, Hon Mrs Abiola,Hon Laja Majekodunmi, Hon Saburi Adefolu, Alh Farouk Akintunde, Chief Nurudeen Olaleye, Mrs Kikelomo Longe, Hon Akeem Odejimi, Prince Niyi Edun, Hon Tunji Fagbenro, Hon Layi Karunwi, Dr Kehinde Ololade as leaders allegedly involved in the bribery. 

The aspirants however exonerated some of the leaders who include Dr Femi Majekodunmi, Chief Sunday Sowunmi, Dr Remi Bakare, Hon Bukola Olopade, Hon Tajudeen Egunjobi, Hon Biodun Ajayi and Hon Ayo Somide. 

One of the aspirants said, "Abeokuta South local govt leaders at it again, event is about to reoccur as it was during the last local government election, it was reported that the leaders in Abeokuta South local govt nominated the highest bidder as the candidate for the Chairmanship election.

"Presently the leaders in Abeokuta South LG are receiving aspirants on the basis of declaring intention to contest for House of Assembly and House of Representatives, as it can not be ruled out that a tradition of seeking support and blessings of leaders is part of the process, as such it is expected to be done in moderation, but the reverse is the case of Abeokuta South LG.

"The Leaders in Abeokuta South are loosing the accorded respect from this aspirants by requesting for exorbitant amount during visitation to the leaders.

"The Leaders headed by Rt Hon Titi Oseni are extorting aspirants in an unfair manner, under the pretence of accessing them in a process to adoption of a consensus candidate, while some of the aspirants are invited to meet with cabal at the residence of Rt Hon Titi Oseni to declare same intention as expected to done at the larger house, a situation classified as double taxation by some of the aspirant.

"This unbearable event started with Hon Afolabi Afuape dropping the sum of 2m, Tobi Doregos 1m, Sunday Akamo 1.5m, Mustapha Owolabi MAO 1m, Bola Odetayo 800k, Folorusho Oyenola 1m, Olusesi Akinoso 1.5m, Lanre Ariyibi 1.5m, Alli Muhammed 500k, Hon Yusuf Adejojo 500k, Hon Ademuyiwa Adeyemi 500k, Hon Lanre Edun was billed and payed 5m, while Hon Afeez Balogun is already been canvassed by some of the leaders to come with 10m."

When some of the aspirants were contacted, they confirmed paying money to party leaders during visit.