Former Ekiti Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said the All Progressives Congress candidates for the House of Assembly and National Assembly will be determined by party members, not through endorsements from leaders.
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The ex-Governor said that performance, competence and grassroot participation rather claims of endorsement from party leaders, would be the decisive factor in the shadow poll.
Fayemi, who spoke during a stakeholder meeting at his country home in Isan-Ekiti, stressed that no primary will be skipped in any area where consensus among the aspirants cannot be reached.
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He noted that in areas where consensus fails, aspirants will have the opportunity to test their strength and popularity among party members in a free, fair and transparent contest.
He said that aspirants confident in their popularity, competence, performance and grassroots connection have 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,”
The development reflects broader trends in APC political updates across Nigeria.
Fayemi said that consensus agreements by some leaders would not override the choice of party members, reiterating that they are the true soul of the APC and will determine who represents the party at all levels in the forthcoming elections.
The former Minister dismissed claims that he, Governor Oyebanji or ex-Governor Niyi Adebayo had endorsed any particular aspirant.
He called on party members to support serving lawmakers who have performed creditably and reject those who have failed to deliver, stressing that aspirants confident in their record should welcome the primary 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.
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Fayemi warned against any attempt to impose aspirants on party members, saying that such moves would threaten internal democracy and weaken APC’s chances at the polls.
Fayemi also addressed concerns about new entrants into the party, saying he would not allow “tenants” to take over APC from the aboriginal members of the
“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 added that some individuals had been claiming ownership of the party, but insisted that the true power rests with the members, saying “We shall see who truly owns it. Opportunists cannot jeopardise the Governor’s re-election”
