BY OLUWA RAISE-ME-UP
Two governorship aspirants of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ekiti State, Barrister Femi Adegbite and Apostle Ayo Adesua, have faulted claims that a winner has emerged from Thursday’s governorship primary election, insisting that the national primary committee of the party has not announced any official result.
Speaking with journalists on Friday, the duo dismissed a statement credited to the ADC State P.R.O, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogun, which named Ambassador Dare Bejide as the winner. They described the announcement as misleading and unauthorized, saying it undermines the party’s efforts to remain a credible alternative in the state.
According to them, the primary was marred with several irregularities which prompted the party’s national officials and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitors to suspend the final declaration of results pending investigation.
Barrister Adegbite alleged that votes were inflated in favour of Ambassador Dare Bejide while results from Oye and Ilejemeje local governments were not recognized, and the outcome in Emure was cancelled due to violence and manipulation.
“I am surprised that Hon. Aribisogun released a statement to the press that Dare Bejide has been declared winner. He has no such authority. The primary officials are still in Ekiti and they have not announced any result,” Adegbite said.
He explained that following the controversies, the national leadership of the party convened a meeting with all aspirants to resolve issues, noting that while others were present, Ambassador Bejide was not in support of the peaceful resolution.
“In the course of the reconciliation meeting, all aspirants agreed on a consensus via voting and the arrangement favoured me, only for Ambassador Dare Bejide to back out .Adegbite stated.
Both Adegbite and Apostle Adesua accused the State P. R. O and the State Secretary of the party of working in the interest of Ambassador Bejide, urging the party leadership to call them to order in the interest of fairness and internal democracy.
They appealed to party members and supporters to remain calm, noting that the national leadership is still reviewing the primary process and will make an official announcement in due course.
Recall that the result of the primary according to the statement of Hon Aribisogun, the aspirants had the following votes:
Amb. Bejide 15466 votes
Prof Eleka 12003 votes
Barrister Adegbite 9141 votes
Otunba Fayose 2865 votes
Apostle Adesua 135 votes