A group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, under the banner of “Concerned Members of APC,” has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently wade into what it described as the unjust disqualification of a governorship aspirant, Engr. Kayode Olubunmi Ojo, from the forthcoming party primary.
Speaking during a press briefing at Ojo’s campaign situation office in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, the group’s Chairman, Hon. Ganiyu Akande, said supporters of the aspirant were deeply concerned about the continuous “injustice, discrimination and orchestrated victimisation” allegedly targeted at him across the 16 local government areas of the state.
Akande, a former Commissioner in the state, accused Governor Biodun Oyebanji of issuing directives to party structures at ward, local government and state levels not to associate with Ojo’s supporters, under the threat of sanctions. According to him, appointees and political office holders were equally instructed to publicly attack Ojo while mobilizing support groups, including transport unions, to drum up backing for the governor’s re-election bid.
In a petition addressed to President Tinubu, the group listed several grievances, including alleged manipulation of party registers, irregularities during revalidation exercises, frustration of efforts to engage the state party executive, non-participation of the leadership at Ojo’s official declaration, suppression of campaign materials, a compromised screening process, and intimidation of Ojo’s loyalists.
The group further alleged that the moves against Engr. Ojo were being orchestrated by top figures within the party, notably the National Secretary, whom they accused of abandoning the neutrality expected of party leaders.
While insisting that the actions contravene provisions of the APC Constitution, the group urged the President to order a thorough review of the disqualification in line with Article 31.4, and guarantee a fair contest among all aspirants in the lead-up to the primary election.
“Your Excellency, we have unshakeable confidence in your commitment to justice, equity, and internal democracy. We trust that under your leadership, the APC will remain a party where fairness and transparency prevail,” the group stated.
