The Southwest zonal leaders of the All Progressives Congress, have assured contestants in the May 5 governorship primary election in Ekiti State, that there is no truth in an allegation that plans had been perfected to ‘import’ fake delegates from neighbouring Ondo State, to skew figures in favour of a particular aspirant.
This was disclosed on their behalf by the National Vice Chairman (Southwest) of the party, Chief Pius Akinyelure, who led other APC leaders to the APC stakeholders’ meeting in Ado-Ekiti, the state’s capital, at the weekend.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, a governorship aspirant, was represented at the meeting by Mr. Alaba Bejide, while former Governor Segun Oni, a Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu; Senator Gbenga Aluko,
Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, Mr. Bimbo Daramola, Mr. Bamidele Faparusi, Dr. Mojisola Kolade, Hon. Femi Bamisile, Mr. Sunday Adebomi, Engnr. Kayode Ojo, Dr. Bayo Orire, and others, were present at the meeting.
Throughout last week, the APC circles in the state had been abuzz with speculations that a certain favoured candidate had colluded with the party leaders to smuggle the names of fake delegates from Ondo State, into the delegates’ list for the election.
Akinyelure, who dispelled the accusation, said such should not be contemplated under an advanced democracy.
“Through our deliberations, we realised that what we have now is a crowd of about 30 aspirants on our platform. This, you will agree with me, is unacceptable as this could affect our chances of effecting needed change in the governance of your dear state.
“We are, however, conscious of the fact that every member has the right to aspire to the exalted seat of the governor of the state provided they meet the required qualifications listed for the position.
“Between now and the date of election, just go and visit the delegates and canvass for votes in the most civil and legal way.
“However, we are not particularly pleased with the reported cases of character assassination, abuses and destructive language being traded by some of the aspirants against each other. This had become very prevalent in the social media. This is not acceptable at all,” he said.
Speaking about the “worrisome large number of aspirants” in the race, Akinyelure disclosed that the party would engage the aspirants in a constructive engagement before the May 5 primary, to persuade some of them to step down to ensure stability.
As at the time of filing this story, the party had 29 aspirants that had procured the expression of
interest and nomination forms at the APC’s secretariat
in Abuja.
Akinyelure also assured the aspirants that the party would conduct free, fair and transparent primary “that can’t be subjected to litigation in the state.”
He added that all the aspirants would be availed of the delegates’ list in due course, which they can use to authenticate the ones that will be used for the conduct of the
primary.
“We have met and we have agreed that the state Executive should develop a paper for all aspirants, which they will sign, to show that they will be ready to support whoever emerges,” he
disclosed.
