Some local government chairmanship aspirants and their supporters have accused the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti state of plotting to impose unpopular candidates on the people in the forthcoming local government election.
The allegation was made following the party’s decision to postpone the local government primary election in Ado and Ikole local councils over security concern.
The party spokesperson, Ade Ajayi, stated this in Ado Ekiti that a new date would be communicated to all stakeholders soon.
But the protesting aspirants, their supporters and some delegates, accused the party of being determined to impose a particular candidate on the people
Two of the aspirants, who spoke to at the venue of the primary including Alhaji Tajudeen Gidado, and Tosin Aluko, accused the leadership of the party of being undemocratic, warning that they would resist any imposition.
Mrs Aluko , an aspirant showing her displeasure said, “I just heard it here now that the election has been postponed. I don’t want to believe it because Governor Kayode Fayemi issued a statement last week that there would be primary election and that there won’t be imposition.
“We have been waiting here since morning for the primary. Some people are with the deputy chairman of the party now, Sola Elesin, they don’t want the election to hold because of the plan they have to impose one of us as the candidate.
“I don’t know why they are doing this. They should allow people to make their choice because this is democracy. There doing this because they want to impose someone. But the governor they are dropping his name has come out to say he has no preferred candidate.”
One of the delegates, Mr Adeyeye Kayode said “we don’t know why they are postponing the election. The candidates and delegates are here and everywhere is peaceful.
“We have not seen anybody except the police personnel here. Whereas they told us that they are fully prepared for the election. We are now thinking that what we heard that there won’t be election in Ado Ekiti is coming to pass.
“We are afraid that if we leave here now they might come around 4 pm and do kangaroo election. We should allow people to participate in deciding who governs them. That is why it is called democracy.”
Mr Babatunde Adesanmi, who is an agent of an aggrieved aspirant said “as far as we are concern, we are not aware you are just telling us. You people can see that the atmosphere here is conducive for any election. I don’t see any reason for the postponement.
“The only reason should be if the materials are not available, that is the only reasons or if the atmosphere is not conducive but as you can see the police are here to maintain peace already.”
