AKP figure says he is not considering resignation: 'I personally donated 127 thousand liras to this party from my own pocket'

AKP's Ökten evaluated the results of the Local Administration Elections. Speaking at the evaluation meeting held at the Provincial Headquarters, Chairman Ökten said, “We are not a party that has ever ignored the will of the voters or blamed the voters in any of the elections we have entered to date. The result was not what we expected. What the voter says is important to us and is held in high regard.”

Providing information about the location of the Aydın Courthouse building, Ökten said that water and gas were found in the area where the building was to be constructed. Ökten stated that the ministry is continuing soil analysis in the area and that if it is decided that it is not suitable for building construction, an alternative location will be sought. Ökten signaled that the location of the courthouse would change.

Stating that they congratulate the winning mayors, Ökten said, “Today, the duty of those who have received the mandate is to serve the citizens there. Information has reached us that the salaries of employees at the Efeler Municipality have dropped. We will follow up on this. We will also ensure that the citizens question this.”

Responding to criticisms directed at him, AKP Aydın Provincial Chairman Gökhan Ökten said, “We do not like politics that involves tripping those who go ahead and elbowing those who come from behind. This exists within politics. Again, different things are being written and drawn about us. They are trying to smear us so that the stain remains,” he said.

"I PERSONALLY DONATED TO THIS PARTY FROM MY OWN POCKET"

Clarifying the allegations regarding the vehicles rented by the party during the election process, Ökten said, “Political parties and candidates can rent vehicles when they need them. We rented a total of 120 minibuses and vehicles across the province during the election process. We used these vehicles in election work.

We leave in the morning and return home at midnight. We rented a Transporter minibus. This method may have been used by all candidates across Turkey. We made the payment through the provincial presidency.

In the 40-day period, we spent 48 thousand liras including VAT. This included the driver and vehicle costs. I personally donated 127 thousand liras to this party from my own pocket,” he said.

Clarifying the issue of him traveling with a security detail, Chairman Ökten said, “A situation developed. A police officer from the police department accompanied us for two or three weeks. We said that there was no need for police, and the police officer returned to his duty,” he said.

"RETIREES ARE NOT THE ONLY REASON FOR LOSING THE ELECTION"

Noting that they are conducting a serious analysis regarding the election results, Ökten said, “We are looking at the participation ballot box by ballot box in 17 districts. Why did the voter not go to the ballot box?

We are researching in the field what the voters who went to the ballot box based their preferences on. At first, it is said to be a reaction from retirees.

Rent and private school increases also have a major impact on this negative result. We will convey these results to the headquarters on an Aydın scale. We will evaluate them district by district and turn them into results,” he said.

HE EXPLAINED WHY HE DID NOT RESIGN

Responding to the question of why he did not resign despite the AKP's failure in the election in Aydın, Gökhan Ökten said, “You are inviting me to resign. Since the election, everyone inside and outside the party has been saying, you did your best. You ran around a lot.

The appreciation is the will of the voter. We will reveal the reason for this result. Prove that this stems from our political mistake and I will do what is necessary. Let everyone put their hand on their conscience and say yes, this result in Aydın stems from the provincial presidency. Then I am ready to do whatever is necessary,” he said.

AKP Aydın Provincial Chairman Gökhan Ökten also claimed that he has been a target for some since 2008, that he did not prioritize his lawyer title while doing politics despite being a lawyer, that he did not rent any vehicle for his wife during the election period, that he only traveled with a police guard for a certain period during the election period, and that he has been the lawyer for the AYTER company for a duration he cannot remember and thinks this is normal.

Stating that some articles written under the name of news about his wife, who is an English teacher, do not reflect the truth, Ökten noted that his wife continues her duty at the Directorate of National Education, and that what was done regarding his wife's duty and various assignments was not a favor but what should be done for a normal teacher.

When asked, "You gave council memberships to contractors and those around you, why are you not thinking of resigning? You should resign ethically," Ökten argued that he did not have much involvement in the determination of council memberships and that there should be no trial by media regarding resignation.

News Source: İHA