2027: Face primaries instead of seeking endorsements, Fayemi challenges Ekiti APC aspirants

A former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has urged All Progressives Congress members and supporters across the state to disregard rumours of endorsement of any National Assembly aspirant for the 2027 general elections.

Fayemi, who said that the Electoral Act provides for consensus and direct election modes for the conduct of primaries, added that the condition for consensus is when all parties are in agreement.

The former governor spoke at an APC stakeholders’ meeting at Isan Ekiti on Saturday.

Fayemi, who acknowledged the importance of consensus in decision-making where all aspirants agree, said, “Elections are unavoidable wherever people fail to agree on a consensus mode of picking a candidate for the party”.

The former governor also expressed concern about new entrants to the party, saying he would not allow “tenants” to take over the APC from the aboriginal members in the state.

The former governor said, “There is nothing wrong with a new member joining, but there are proper processes that must be followed. We cannot allow anyone to seize control of the party”.

There have been rumours of endorsement by the governor, Biodun Oyebanji, and other party leaders of one aspirant or another for the three senatorial and six House of Representatives positions in the state.

The former governor, who wondered why any aspirant should be afraid of direct primaries, said, “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 the Electoral Act to guard against unnecessary litigation after the primaries.

Fayemi urged all aspirants, especially current elective office holders, to be ready to tell the people their achievements rather than relying on endorsements.

Recall that the APC State Chairman, Sola Elesin, in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, said the governor does not have a preferred candidate for any of the positions.

Elesin, who described insinuations of endorsement as misrepresentation, said, “Governor Oyebanji has no preferred candidates and has not endorsed anyone for the National Assembly positions.

“The APC is a democratic party that believes in the principle of free and fair competition, and all aspirants are free to campaign and present their case to the people without any restraint or interference.

“The party urges 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,” the APC chairman stated.