Ekiti 2022: SWAGA divides over imposition of Guber candidate

The Southwest Agenda for Tinubu (SWAGA), a political group in the All Progressives Congress (APC) are divided in Ekiti State over the alleged imposition of the governorship candidate in the group.

Newsflash Nigeria understands that the APC fractured into two major groups with one belonging to Governor Kayode Fayemi named “TokanTokan” group and the second group formed South West Agenda for Asiwaju 2023(SWAGA) being headed by former minister of works, Senator Dayo Adeyeye.

According to findings by Newsflash Nigeria, those said to be eyeing the coveted seat from the governor’s camp are current Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji; Chief of Staff, Biodun Omoleye; the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Wale Fapohunda; the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Bamidele Faparusi. Others include House of Representatives member, Yemi Adaramodu.

Though the wife of the governor, Bisi Fayemi is already backing the Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji, which is likely that the governor pendulum will switch to Oyebanji.

Already, Fayemi had given anyone serving in his government deadline who would like to contest the governorship primaries to tender his or her resignation.

Fayemi directed anyone serving in his government who would like to contest the governorship primaries to tender his or her resignation latest by December 18th.

It means the governor anointed candidate will confidently resign while some others will be fearing to do so.

In other groups, SWAGA, the stakeholders of the group endorsed the former Minister of Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, as its preferred candidate for the governorship race.

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SWAGA stakeholders which consist of former National Assembly members, ex-ministers as well as other notable chieftains, said APC cannot afford to gamble ahead of the all-important election, hence the need to support Adeyeye.

In a statement released dated Saturday, November 27 by the Forum’s Secretary, Honourable Femi Adeleye said the decision to endorse Adeyeye was arrived at after three-day exhaustive consultations.

It described Adeyeye, who hails from Ise Ekiti, the Ekiti South Senatorial District, as the best man for the job on account of his past experiences as a Minister, Senator, party Spokesman and member of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).

After the stakeholders of the group  that adopted Adeyeye’s candidacy, some grassroots members of the group disagreed about the decision making.

Newsflash Nigeria understands that only two aspirants are clamouring for the governorship race in the SWAGA group; Prince Dayo Adeyeye and Australian based medical expert, Dr Oluwole Oluyede, both aspirants hailed from the southern part of the state, the zone that has not produced a governor since 1999.

Oluyede has been one of the biggest financiers of the SWAGA group in the state and the loyalists of the masses in the group but seems the stakeholders of the group had adopted Adeyeye as its preferred candidate.

The grassroots in the group rejected Adeyeye and saw Oluyede as a neutral candidate without ties to any party bloc, and with the force, the means, the energy and the capacity to turn around the fortunes of the party and the people at the elections and emerge victoriously.

Also, the local government chairmen of the group were denied for endorsing the former minister.

Though, Adeyeye is the most experienced politician and the National Chairman of the Southwest Agenda for Tinubu (SWAGA).

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