Fayemi: members will decide APC candidates in Ekiti
Former Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for House of Assembly and National Assembly would be determined by party members and not by
- From Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado-Ekiti
Former Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for House of Assembly and National Assembly would be determined by party members and not by kangaroo endorsements from leaders.
The ex-governor said performance, competence and grassroots participation, rather than claims of endorsement from party leaders, would be the decisive factor in the shadow poll.
Fayemi, who spoke during a stakeholders’ meeting at his country home in Isan-Ekiti, stressed that no primary would be skipped in any area where consensus among the aspirants could not be reached.
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He noted that in areas where consensus failed, aspirants would have the opportunity to test their strength and popularity among party members in a free, fair and transparent contest.
He said aspirants confident in their popularity, competence, performance and grassroots connection had nothing to fear and should embrace primaries.
“The law provides for both consensus and direct primaries. Every verified, card-carrying party member, who participated in the revalidation exercise, has the right to vote.”
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Fayemi said consensus agreements by some leaders would not override the choice of party members, reiterating that they were the true soul of the APC and would determine who represented the party at all levels in the forthcoming elections.
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The former governor dismissed claims that Governor Biodun Oyebanji, himself, or ex-governor Niyi Adebayo had endorsed any aspirant.
He called on party members to support serving lawmakers, who have performed creditably and reject those who have failed to deliver, noting that aspirants confident in their record should welcome primary election rather than seeking party leaders’ endorsement.
The former governor noted that while it was initially expected that primaries would take place before governorship election, the party must not allow any action that could undermine Governor Oyebanji’s second term ambition.
Fayemi warned against any attempt to impose aspirants on party members, saying such moves would threaten internal democracy and weaken APC’s chances at the polls.
Fayemi also addressed concerns about new entrants into the party.
“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,” he warned.
He said some individuals had been claiming ownership of the party, but insisted that the true power rested with the members, adding: “We shall see who truly owns it. Opportunists cannot jeopardise the governor’s re-election.”
