Shock as Olawepo-Hashim pulls out of ANN presidential primaries

The hitherto upbeat Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) may be witnessing a major crisis of confidence with the withdrawal, yesterday, of its Presidential aspirant and key financier, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, from the presidential race, on grounds of breach of party’s constitutional procedure, in the build-up to its presidential primaries scheduled for Saturday, September 29.

Olawepo-Hashim, erstwhile favourite to clinch the party’s presidential candidacy slot, said in a letter addressed to the party chairman, that, it is regrettable that the abnormalities he mentioned to the chairman at their Wednesday meeting have not been corrected.

Dated September 28, the aspirant who has toured a substantial part of the country campaigning for delegates’ support noted that, “The list of delegates has not been provided to me as a Presidential Aspirant on the platform of the ANN. This is contrary to the constitution of the ANN and the Electoral Act. This is such a fundamental flaw as to render any exercise purporting to be presidential primaries to be nugatory.”

Olawepo-Hashim said it is unfortunate that even on the eve of the so-called primaries, the guidelines, which ought to have been approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) and issued at least seven days before the elections, are not available.

“The absence of guidelines to guide the conduct of the primaries constitute a grave violation of our party’s Constitution and the Electoral Act,” he said, adding that,  “The arrangements for the Presidential Primaries have not been published so that everyone will know. Who are those to conduct the Primaries, including Accreditation of delegates, Screening of Aspirants etc.? As a Presidential Aspirant, I am yet to know the arrangements put in place for the conduct of the primaries”

Because of these alleged imperfections, Olawepo-Hashim pulled out of the presidential race.

“I regret to inform you that I will not participate in tomorrow’s primaries until the constitution of the party is respected and all the defects are rectified,” he said.