Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, don come out strong to condemn wetin he call “kangaroo endorsements” for some National Assembly aspirants wey dey eye 2027 general elections. The matter don cause plenty wahala for inside All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ekiti State as some people dey claim say party leaders don already endorse candidates.
Fayemi yarn this matter on Saturday when he host party stakeholders for his hometown, Isan-Ekiti. The former governor talk say some “opportunists” for inside government circle dey use this endorsement matter cause division for the party. He warn say any serious aspirant wey wan contest must ready to face primary election and test their popularity before party members.
“Any serious aspirant must be ready to test their popularity and acceptability before party members,” Fayemi talk. He advise those wey dey hold elective positions already to account for their stewardship instead of depending on political patronage. The man stress say performance, competence and grassroots participation go be the main things wey go decide who go win the primaries.
Fayemi acknowledge say consensus na legitimate option when all aspirants agree, but he insist say primaries go still hold where agreement no dey. “The law provides for both consensus and direct primaries,” he talk. “Every verified, card-carrying party member, who participated in the revalidation exercise, has the right to vote.”
The former governor warn say any deviation from party constitution and Electoral Act fit cause unnecessary litigation after primaries. He talk say consensus agreements by some leaders no go override the choice of party members. “They are the true soul of the APC and will determine who represents the party at all levels,” Fayemi yarn.
Ekiti APC Chairman, Sola Elesin, don also dismiss speculations say Governor Biodun Oyebanji don endorse any aspirant. Elesin describe such claims as “false, misleading, and driven by desperation.” He assure party members say APC go provide level playing field for all aspirants.
“APC remains a democratic party where all aspirants are free to campaign and engage with members without intimidation or interference,” Elesin talk. The chairman warn say party no go tolerate any attempt at name-dropping or undermining of democratic processes.
Fayemi address another matter wey dey worry party members – the issue of new entrants. “There is nothing wrong with a new member joining, but there are proper processes that must be followed,” he talk. “We cannot allow anyone to seize control of the party.”
The former governor warn say opportunists no go jeopardise Governor Oyebanji’s second term ambition. He talk say while primaries initially suppose hold before governorship election, party must not allow any action wey fit undermine the governor’s re-election.
Stakeholders wey attend the meeting express confidence in the leadership of Fayemi and Governor Oyebanji. But dem also raise concerns over emerging internal divisions for inside the party. Some people dey fear say if this endorsement matter no settle well, e fit affect APC chances for 2027 elections.
Fayemi urge all aspirants, especially current elective officeholders, to ready to tell people their achievements before seeking another term. “Any serious aspirant must be ready to face a primary election by relying on their performance to speak for them,” he talk again.
The former governor dismiss claims say Governor Oyebanji, himself, or ex-governor Niyi Adebayo don endorse any particular aspirant. He call on party members to support serving lawmakers wey don perform well and reject those wey fail to deliver.
As 2027 dey draw closer, this matter of endorsement and primaries go continue to shape political calculations for Ekiti APC. Party members dey watch to see if Fayemi’s strong position go stop the “kangaroo endorsements” wey dey cause tension.
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