Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has urged All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters across the state to disregard what he called “kangaroo endorsement” of any National Assembly aspirant ahead of the 2027 general elections in the state.
Fayemi, who spoke at his hometown, Isan Ekiti, on Saturday, while hosting party stakeholders across the state, fumed over continued activities of a few opportunists within the government circle, which he said had polarized the party.
Acknowledging the importance of consensus in decision-making where all aspirants agreed, Fayemi said elections are, however, unavoidable wherever people fail to agree on a consensus mode of picking a candidate for the party.
He urged all aspirants, especially those who are currently enjoying the votes of the electorate, to be ready to tell the people their achievements before relying on endorsements.
The former governor argued that any serious aspirant must be ready to face a primary election by relying on their performance to speak for them.
He stressed the need for adherence to the party constitution, principles, and electoral act to guard against unnecessary litigations after primaries.
Earlier, the APC state chairman, Barr. Sola Elesin, while urging party supporters to remain calm, assured all of fairness, transparency, respect for the party constitution, and guidelines during the primaries.
He also urged APC members to disregard any rumor of endorsement of any aspirant by Governor Oyebanji as his National Assembly preferred candidate.
He described the purported endorsement of any aspirant for the National Assembly position in the state as false, misleading, and a mere desperation.
According to him, APC is a democratic party that believes in the principle of free and fair competition, and all aspirants are free to campaign and solicit votes from the people without any restraint or interference.
Elesin urged all aspirants to respect the democratic tenets and refrain from misrepresenting the governor or any other party leader.
The APC will not tolerate any attempt at name-dropping or undermining of the party’s democratic processes.
While expressing support and loyalty for Fayemi and Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s leadership in the state, APC stakeholders at the forum urged Fayemi to rescue the party amidst growing concerns over internal divisions.
The stakeholders emphasized the importance of unity within the party and urged the former governor not to leave the party for those who want to use their selfish interests over inordinate ambitions to destroy it ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, attended by stakeholders from various levels of the party, lauded Fayemi’s leadership and the achievements of Gov. Oyebanji, who is reportedly following the blueprints laid out by Fayemi.
Also, the party, in a release through its publicity secretary, Segun Dipe, had on Friday encouraged all Ekiti citizens to be vigilant and verify information through official party channels.
The release said APC remains committed to ensuring free, fair, and transparent processes, and assures the public that every aspirant will be given a level playing field towards the National Assembly election.
Present at the gathering were the APC state excos led by party chairman, Bar. Sola Elesin, party secretary, Garba Arogundade, Ekiti North Senatorial District aspirant, Sen. Ayo Arise, serving members, House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi, Hon. Akinlayo Kolawole, Hon. Adeniyi Ojuawo, members, Ekiti state House of Assembly, local government council party executives, ward chairmen, women leaders, youth leaders, members of the elders’ forum, party men and women, among others.
