Ekiti APC LG Primaries: Aspirants Protest, Reject Alleged Imposition of Candidates

Some aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship aspirants in Ekiti State have protested against what they described as the alleged imposition of a candidate ahead of the December 7, 2019 local government elections.

The protest took place at the APC secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, and was led by former chairman of Ado-Ekiti Metropolitan Council, Tosin Aluko, and another chairmanship aspirant, Tajudeen Gidado.

The APC had earlier suspended its primaries in Ado-Ekiti, Ikole and Ekiti East local government areas following reported security concerns and fears that some individuals might disrupt the exercise.

The protesters, carrying placards, arrived at the party secretariat and rejected the consensus arrangement that produced Omotunde Fajuyi as the APC chairmanship candidate for Ado-Ekiti.

Aluko and Gidado argued that the emergence of Fajuyi through consensus violated the party’s constitution, maintaining that an indirect primary should have been conducted after efforts to reach a consensus failed.

Their protest followed a letter submitted to the State Working Committee in which Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi, who was also regarded as a party leader in Ado-Ekiti, and 35 other party leaders reportedly endorsed Fajuyi as the preferred candidate.

Reacting to the controversy, APC State Publicity Secretary Ade Ajayi denied that the party intended to impose candidates on members.

Ajayi also rejected attempts to link Governor Kayode Fayemi to the disagreement surrounding the primaries.

He confirmed that Aluko and Gidado had led supporters to the party secretariat to demand a primary election rather than the consensus arrangement.

According to him, the party would examine the aspirants’ complaints alongside the endorsement letter signed by the deputy governor and other party leaders before taking a final decision.

“We are not ready to impose anybody and nobody must bring the name of Governor Kayode Fayemi into this matter,” Ajayi said.

He disclosed that the party had established intervention and reconciliation committees to meet with aggrieved aspirants and resolve disputes arising from the primaries in Ado-Ekiti, Ikole and Ekiti East.

Ajayi explained that the earlier postponement of the primaries in the three councils was a precautionary measure following reports that suspected hoodlums were planning to disrupt the exercise and attack properties.

He said the party was receiving complaints and representations from different communities and acknowledged the right of qualified members to contest for elective positions without being unfairly excluded.

According to him, party leaders from the affected local government areas had been invited for discussions, with the leadership expressing confidence that the disputes would be resolved amicably before the elections.