– accuses Niyi Adebayo, Kayode Fayemi of unfairness
– We’re working in line with directives from national secretariat – State Exco
An aspirant into the House of Representatives in Ekiti State, Chief Kayode Babade, has faulted the decision of the State Working Committee, (SWC) of the party to apply indirect method to pick its National Assembly candidates in the state.
Babade, who is aspiring to represent Ikere/Ekiti South west/Ise/Orun Federal constituency 1, in an interview with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, called on the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole to overrule the SWC on its decision in the interest of the party.
He accused the Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Niyi Adebayo, and Governor-elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi of using the state executives of the party to scheme some of the aspirants out of contest to pave way for their cronies.
He alleged that members of the SWC, led by Mr Paul Omotosho, were trying to subvert the process to give way for automatic tickets to some allies loyal to the governor-elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi.
Babade, who was the immediate past Chairman of the party in the South senatorial district recalled that during the gubernatorial primaries, the same scenario happened and it was overruled.
“When the first primary could not hold, we all went to the former party chairman, Chief Odigie Oyegun that we should apply the indirect method, but he said no, that we can’t just change the rule of the game a week to the primaries and that it has to be delegates.
“So, the second attempt was conducted by delegates.
“On this same issue, we were told emphatically at stakeholders meeting at Iyin-Ekiti in the house of Otunba Niyi Adebayo, the Deputy Chairman, South of our party that Ekiti is adopting direct primaries, so, what happened just yesterday till this morning that the state executives are now changing it.
“They are two different things entirely, we have not been working on delegates, moving from one Ward to another mobilizing people, so that they can vote for us, but now that they suddenly change it, how do you expect me to work with delegates that I don’t know.
“The Ward delegates have not been sworn in, especially in my local government, Ikere and how do we identify them, work and convince them to vote for me within 24 hours.
“So, the two systems differ perfectly, but as things are, I hope they will listen to the voice of reasoning and obey the national secretariat directives, because it was published and announced by the leaders, so, they should stand on that.”
But the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Ade Ajayi, denied the allegation, saying that the party is not working against the directive of the national secretariat.
He said the State Working Committee reviewed the security situation in the state and realized it does not favour the situation and not in the best interest of the party.
“The SWC met yesterday to review the security situation in the state, though, there was resolution on September 15 at Otunba Niyi Adebayo’s residence in Iyin-Ekiti, where it was resolved to adopt a direct mode of primaries.
“But, the constitution allows for direct, indirect and consensus mode of primaries, so we have resolved for the indirect mode and all elections would be held in Ado Ekiti here and not in any local government.
“Any aspirant making such an allegation is being mischievous, but, let me tell you that the party is already investigating the attack on the party secretariat and anyone found to be involved would face the wrath of the law.”
