2027: Ex-Gov Fayemi urges Ekiti APC aspirants to “face primaries” rather than pursue endorsements
Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has called on All Progressives Congress members and supporters across the state to ignore rumours regarding the “endorsement of any National Assembly aspirant” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Fayemi emphasized that the Electoral Act allows for both consensus and direct election methods in conducting primaries, noting that consensus is only appropriate “when all parties are in agreement.”
Speaking at an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Isan Ekiti on Saturday, the former governor stressed the importance of consensus where all aspirants concurred, adding, “Elections are unavoidable wherever people fail to agree on a consensus mode of picking a candidate for the party.”
He also expressed concerns about new entrants to the party, warning that he would not permit “tenants” to take over the APC from aboriginal members. “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 stated.
Amid rumours that Governor Biodun Oyebanji and other party leaders had endorsed certain aspirants for the three senatorial and six House of Representatives seats, Fayemi questioned why aspirants should fear direct primaries, insisting, “Any serious aspirant must be ready to face a primary election by relying on their performance to speak for them.”
He urged adherence to the party constitution, principles, and the Electoral Act to prevent unnecessary litigation after the primaries and advised all aspirants, particularly current officeholders, to showcase their achievements instead of relying on endorsements.
The APC State Chairman, Sola Elesin, reiterated in Ado Ekiti that the governor “does not have a preferred candidate for any of the positions.” Describing endorsement claims as misrepresentation, Elesin said, “Governor Oyebanji has no preferred candidates and has not endorsed anyone for the National Assembly positions.”
He added, “The APC is a democratic party that believes in the principle of free and fair competition, and all aspirants are free to campaign and present their case to the people without any restraint or interference. The party urges all aspirants to respect the democratic tenets and refrain from misrepresenting the governor or any other party leader. The APC will not tolerate any attempt at name-dropping or undermining of the party’s democratic processes.”
