Ekiti APC aspirant alleges intimidation during primary

An aspirant for the All Progressives Congress House of Representatives ticket for Ado Ekiti/Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal Constituency, Pastor Yemi Olayinka, has alleged intimidation during the party’s National Assembly primary election.

Olayinka, who contested the primary alongside the incumbent lawmaker, Steve Fatoba, and Tope Ogunleye, claimed that threats directed at his supporters failed to stop them from participating in the exercise.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Saturday after voting in his ward, the cleric and politician said the turnout of his supporters showed resilience despite alleged pressure from political authorities in the state.

He added that although he lost at his ward, he was satisfied with participating in what he described as a struggle against intimidation

The turnout of my supporters demonstrated resilience despite pressure from political authorities in the state.

“We were intimidated. They even told our followers not to come, that they would beat us, that they would shoot us. That was why I sat in front. I said, ‘Okay, look, whoever wants to shoot me should just come over.

“We have defeated them by coming for an election. That is the defeat, that is the victory

What we have done today is that we have been able to defeat unnecessary and undue intimidation by the authorities of the state,” he said.

Reacting, the incumbent lawmaker, Fatoba, dismissed allegations that his candidacy was imposed on party members, insisting that his support base was evident from the turnout at the primary.

“With what you can see here today, is this really evidence of imposition? Did we coerce anybody who queued behind me?

“Politicians can say whatever they like, but the facts speak for themselves. What we can see physically here today shows clearly that I’m grounded and loved by my people,” Fatoba said.

Fatoba urged APC members to remain united ahead of future elections in the state and appreciated party leaders, including Governor Biodun Oyebanji and Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, for their support.

Also speaking, a former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Examinations Council, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, denied allegations of imposition, describing the primary as an open democratic process.

“Everybody is free to contest. Everybody is free to vote for whoever they want to vote for,” she said.

The APC is currently conducting primary elections and internal consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.