‘Include grassroots in APC candidate selection’
Residents of Igede-Ekiti have petitioned Ekiti State governor, seeking greater grassroots involvement in selection of candidates for elections. The appeal, submitted on behalf of Onigede of Igede-Ekiti, Oba James Aladesuru
Residents of Igede-Ekiti have petitioned Ekiti State governor, seeking greater grassroots involvement in selection of candidates for elections. The appeal, submitted on behalf of Onigede of Igede-Ekiti, Oba James Aladesuru II, Oba-in-Council, Igede town committee, APC stakeholders, youth leaders, and community members, underscores concerns at the consensus-based nomination of candidates for House of Assembly, local government chairmanship, and councillorship positions.
In a statement, residents lauded the governor’s leadership. “The people are supportive of your vision, your government, and APC,” they said, reiterating loyalty to President Bola Tinubu. However, they are concerned about selection of candidates perceived to lack strong grassroots engagement.
The people alleged that the outgoing council chair, Olugbenga Oluwatuyi, has not delivered meaningful projects, saying “attempts to recycle same leadership through consensus are a repetition of failure and a departure from accountability,” the letter noted.
Read Also: Arewa Think Tank warns El-Rufai: Don't take Tinubu's tolerance, patience for weakness
Similarly, the tenure of former House of Assembly member Femi Olanrewaju Akindele was criticized for a lack of visible impact on Igede-Ekiti despite seven years in office. The appeal stressed that representation must translate into measurable development for the community. Of particular concern is the emergence of Temitayo Adetona Ojo as a consensus candidate to replace the outgoing House of Assembly member. Community stakeholders warned that selecting a candidate without proven legislative experience or deep community engagement risks “taking Igede-Ekiti backward once again” and perpetuating weak representation.
The appeal further noted that past councillorship representation had largely failed, with only one of three councillors performing credibly. The community argues that the current consensus process bypassed key stakeholders, including the Oba-in-Council and APC members, undermining internal democracy and grassroots confidence. The Igede-Ekiti stakeholders emphasized that their appeal is not a critique of the governor or the APC but a call for inclusion and merit-based selection. They requested the opportunity to propose credible, loyal, and competent candidates for the following positions: councillorships for the three wards in Igede-Ekiti, chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, and member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly for Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency I.
“The intention is to recommend men and women of proven integrity, competence, and service who will reconnect governance to the grassroots, strengthen the APC, and positively project both Igede-Ekiti and the administration across Ekiti State,” the appeal stated. The letter concluded with a call for unity, consultation, accountability, and merit-based selection to consolidate the party’s strength and promote sustainable development in Igede-Ekiti, appealing to the governor’s leadership and wisdom for intervention in the matter.
