…as aspirant raises alarm over alleged imposition

Less than 24 hours to the All Progressives Congress (APC), House of Representatives primary election, the Ekiti State chapter of the party has assured all aspirants of a level playing field as well as a free and fair election.

This was just as an aspirant, from the Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2, Mr Victor Olumuyiwa Kolade has raised the alarm over alleged bullying of his supporters and claims of alleged adoption of an aspirant as preferred candidate.

Speaking yesterday to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, Kolade said, “they’ve been telling people anybody care has to listen that that result will be written and that the people’s votes will not count.

“A particular aspirant has been boasting that the result will not get to Ita Ore, talk less of getting to Ado Ekiti, he has said that he’s so confident of the state’s support and the party’s support.”

He warned that the party must tread softly by not imposing any preferred aspirant to avoid the fate that befell the Peoples Democratic Party to befall the APC.

However, reacting to the claim of favoritism yesterday, the APC spokesman, Segun Dipe said that the party has not taken any position regarding the candidacy of any aspirants.

“Regarding the National Assembly primary elections, I’ve said it, I’ve written it in black and white over time, the party has not taken any position regarding candidacy.

“We are a party with democratic tenents, we believe in democracy, however people have the right just like I have the right to endorse
people. I have the right to say I prefer A to B, anybody who is a politician cannot be neutral.

“We allow a level playing ground,
they just came from a screening and the screening is one of the cleanest and fairest in Abuja  I was there. I witnessed it and not to my knowledge has anybody been disqualified.

“We want people, we are conscious of the fact that we have an election on June 20 ahead
of us and we will not allow anything to affect our crave, our search for our 500, 000 votes.

“It’s not easy to get the votes, we need a unified homestead we need our people to be in one and that is why we will ensure that there is smooth conduct of the coming national assembly elections.

“As spokesperson of the party, Mr governor has not at any time told me to go out and say that he has preferred candidates, as a matter of fact I can say there’s no aspirant that has complained to Mr. Governor and that Mr. Governor has not taken any action.

“All is fair in this kind of context.

Rumors and counter-rumors, lies, half-truths will pervade. At the end of the day, we will have our candidates and our home will be intact. So please, you can be sure that democracy still thrives in the APC,” he said.