Ekiti Governor Accused of Rigging APC Primaries Ahead of LG Elections

The Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, has come under fire for allegedly manipulating the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for the local government elections scheduled for December 2023.

A document purportedly signed by the governor’s adviser and the state party chairman has revealed a list of predetermined winners of the primaries, which are yet to be held.

Newsflash Nigeria reports that the document, which was leaked to the public by a coalition of civil society groups in Ekiti State, contains the names of the preferred candidates and their deputies for the 16 local government areas in the state. The document was dated September 29, 2023, five days before the primaries slated for October 4.

The coalition, known as the Alliance for Equity and Justice Initiative, has condemned the governor’s alleged move as a breach of democratic principles and an attempt to impose his loyalists on the party and the people.

The coalition also accused the governor of working with former governor Ayo Fayose, who is now in the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to undermine the influence and reputation of former governor Kayode Fayemi.

The coalition said in a statement that it has evidence to prove that the governor and his cohorts have already compromised the electoral process and violated the party’s constitution and guidelines. The coalition called on the governor to retrace his steps and ensure a free, fair, and transparent primaries that would reflect the will of the party members and the electorate.

The statement partly reads, “Our attention has been drawn to an ongoing vicious and unpleasant political game plan being surreptitiously orchestrated by the executive Governor of the State, his Excellency, Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, along with his cohorts both within and outside of the party, with a view to maintaining a stranglehold on the party in the State as well as undermining the power and person of the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, his Excellency Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

“The Alliance for Equity and Justice is presently in custody of documents obtained through very reliable sources, detailing attempts by the Governor to undermine the upcoming primaries for the Ekiti State local Government elections, scheduled for December 2023.

“The documents indicate that some names have already been pencilled down by the Governor as winners of a primary election that is yet to be conducted. The development raises serious concern to every peace-loving citizen of Ekiti State and calls to question the Governor’s desire to conduct a free, fair, and transparent primaries even within his own political party.

“To put the records straight and disabuse the minds of some persons who may wish to see our noble effort at creating an atmosphere for a peaceful and transparent primaries as meddlesome, we have attached herewith some very vital documents which shows that indeed, the upcoming party primaries will be anything but transparent except necessary measures are taken immediately to reverse the situation.

“It is rather very sad and unfortunate, that the Governor, who rode on the back of the good will, unflinching support, reputation, and sterling performance of the former Governor, Dr. Fayemi, to ascend to power, has now turned round with the likes of Chief Ayo Fayose, who himself was a former Governor of the State and a political turncoat, to try to undermine Dr. Fayemi for reasons of political expediency.

“We recommend that the Governor and his team retraced their steps and take immediate and decisive measures to ensure a transparent, free, credible, and all-inclusive primary election conducted within the ambit of the party’s laws and regulations and in total compliance with Ekiti State. “Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC ) and party guideline and Electoral laws of the state. That attempts by a section of the party hierarchy in the State, spearheaded by the Governor, to emasculate and rubbish the upcoming primaries be resisted by all well-meaning members of the party in Ekiti State.”

The APC is yet to react to the allegations made by the coalition. The local government elections are seen as a test of popularity and strength for both parties ahead of 2023 general elections.

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