Ekiti APC Leaders Reject Endorsement Rumours, Back Direct Primaries

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has clarified that endorsement does not preclude any aspirant from testing their popularity with party members through a fair and transparent process.

The party on Monday evening directed aspirants for National Assembly positions to go to the field and test their political weight, stating that where consensus fails, the direct primary option would be adopted as provided for in the party’s constitution.

The APC State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, reiterated the party’s commitment to the positions earlier expressed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji and former governors Kayode Fayemi, Segun Oni, and Adeniyi Adebayo regarding National Assembly aspirations.

There have been rumours suggesting that some aspirants have been endorsed as preferred candidates by party leaders, which would rule out direct primaries. However, at an APC stakeholders’ meeting on Saturday, Fayemi urged party members to disregard such rumours, noting that consensus cannot exist where a person disagrees.

Fayemi had wondered why any office seeker, particularly some sitting National Assembly members from the state, would be afraid of facing other contenders in a primary election and instead seek consensus to obtain the party’s return ticket.

The former governor stressed that any serious aspirant must be ready to face a primary election, allowing their performance to speak for them. He also emphasised the need to adhere to the party constitution, principles, and the electoral act to avoid unnecessary litigation after primaries.

In the statement, Dipe said that while endorsements may come from some quarters and are politically recognised, they do not prevent any aspirant from testing their weight with party members in a fair and transparent process as stipulated in Article 20 of the APC Constitution.

He added that Governor Oyebanji has maintained neutrality and has not endorsed any aspirant, while Fayemi has downplayed claims of endorsements, urging aspirants to focus on winning the hearts of party members. Segun Oni and Adebayo have echoed similar sentiments, stressing the importance of respecting the party’s democratic processes.

The APC in Ekiti State reaffirmed its commitment to internal democracy and equal opportunity for all aspirants, urging contestants to respect the party’s constitution and guidelines and to refrain from misrepresenting the positions of leaders.