A pro-democracy group, Human Rights Monitoring Agenda, has petitioned the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, urging the party leadership to recognise and declare Basheer Adegboyega Bello as the winner of the party’s House of Representatives primary election for Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo Otin Federal Constituency in Osun State.

Addressing journalists yesterday, the Executive Director of the group, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak, said the petition became necessary following what he described as disturbing developments surrounding the conduct and outcome of the primary election.

According to him, there were alleged attempts by certain influential individuals to manipulate the outcome of the exercise against the democratic wishes of party delegates.

“We have received credible reports indicating that Mr Basheer Adegboyega Bello, popularly known as BABS, emerged as the lawful and authentic winner of the APC primary election based on the valid votes cast during the exercise,” he said.

He however said it was deeply concerning that there are alleged efforts to ]unlawfully alter the outcome and impose another aspirant, Eniade Francis Oluwadamilare, despite serious allegations surrounding him.

Isiak further stated that the group was alarmed by what it described as attempts to compromise transparency, fairness, and internal democratic procedures within the party.