Concerned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), consisting of over fifty stakeholders across the 16 Local Government Areas in Ekiti State have petitioned the party’s Governorship Screening Committee, challenging the clearance of governorship aspirant, Engr. Kayode Ojo, ahead of the October 27 primary election.
Addressing Journalists on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, the representative of the members, Hon Tayo Egunlusi from Irepodun-Ifelodun Local Government, alleged that Ojo failed to meet the stipulated requirements of the party’s nomination process.
He said the members have already sent a copy of the petition to the Screening Committee, signed by Tolani Jogunola of Ayetoro Ward 2 in Ido Osi Local Government and Busuyi Alake of Aisegba Ward 8, Aiyekire/Gbonyi Local Government.
According to him, out of the 122 nominators listed by the aspirant, 68 were discovered not to be valid APC members in the state, leaving only 54 valid nominators.
This figure, according to him, falls short of the required 80 and does not satisfy the guideline mandating a minimum spread of five nominators from each local government area.
He urged the Screening Committee to uphold the party’s constitution and guidelines by ensuring that only aspirants who fully comply with the rules are cleared to contest.
The concerned members also called on members of the party and the general public to remain vigilant against breaches of internal processes, warning that compromising the nomination exercise could threaten the credibility of the party’s democratic credentials.
His words, “We, the undersigned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Mr. Jogunola Joel Tolani of Ayetoro Ward 2, Ido Osi Local Government, and Mr. Alake Busuyi of Aisegba Ward 08, Aiyekire/Gbonyi Local Government, speak today as representatives of over fifty concerned party members from across the state who have jointly signed and endorsed a petition to the APC Governorship Screening Committee against the clearance of Engr. Ojo Kayode in the forthcoming 2025 Governorship Primary Election.
“We briefed our lawyers, and we are sure of what we have briefed them on. The lawyers have eventually confirmed to us that our positions are valid. Through lawful access by our lawyer to Engr. Kayode Ojo’s submitted nomination form, the following were discovered:
“Out of 122 names listed as nominators, 68 were found not to be valid APC members in Ekiti State.
“Only 54 valid nominators remain, and this is far below the required 80, which confirmed that he failed to meet the minimum spread of five nominators from each local government as clearly stipulated in the party guidelines.
“In spite of these lapses, Engr. Kayode Ojo deceitfully declared full compliance, thereby giving the impression of wide support that does not exist.
“Such conduct undermines the core values of honesty, integrity, and transparency on which the APC stands.
“In the light of this, we call on the Screening Committee to do what is just, fair, and consistent with the APC Constitution and guidelines. The All Progressives Congress was founded on the principles of truth, transparency, and internal democracy, and it is only by upholding these values that the credibility of the nomination process can be preserved.
“We are also bringing this matter to the public domain to alert party members and the general public to be vigilant so that no breach of the party’s rules is allowed to stand unchecked, particularly for anybody who is aspiring to carry the ticket of our great party.
“The integrity of our party’s selection process must not be compromised. We trust the Screening Committee will demonstrate courage and fairness in ensuring that only aspirants who comply fully with the rules are cleared”
