The Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressive Congress(APC) has clarified that current wave of adoption of Governor Biodun Oyebanji by different strata of the society does not in anyway stop other willing aspirants from contesting the primaries with him.
Mr. Segun Dipe, State Publicity Secretary of the party, made the clarification Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, when he paid a visit to the Secretariat of the Correspondents Chapel of the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He said contrary to the wrong impression being created by some opposition figures in the state, the mass adoption of the governor by individuals, groups, societies and institutions was never the making of the governor, saying it was based on his achievements and performance as a good ambassador of the party.
According to him, the ruling APC in the state is not leaving anything to chance, despite the growing adoptions, maintaining that the current administration would stop at nothing to fully deliver on all of its electoral promises.
“Some might have been wondering why virtually everyone is rooting for the governor, but I think that is not his fault. It is not his making. Perhaps his performance is what is speaking for him, and yet, others are free and welcome to contest with him, if he eventually shows interest.
“Don’t also forget that the law allows people, including the governor, to show interest, because constitutionally, he has eight years tenure of two terms to run, if the people so permit him.
“The fact that the people are trying to re-present Oyebanji may have clearly shown that he has done quite a lot that attracted them, and it is believed that he does not have control over that. But I am insisting that as a party, all individuals are free to come and try their luck,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to media correspondents in the state for the mature and professional way they have been discharging their reportorial activities, saying balanced reportage always entailed that every sides to a story must be heard.
“We are not begging for patronage, but stories must be balanced. When people or parties in the opposition speak, they call it news, but when the party in government speaks, they call it PR.”
He announced that the APC, despite being a ruling party in the state, is not taking anything to chances, saying continued membership drive remains a top priority.
On the tenure of the current party EXCO, he said the current crop of leadership came into office in 2021, and are expected to wind down this year.
However, he said such winding down would still be subject to the national headquarter’s decision, “believing that no serious party will want to change the goal post, in the middle of the game”.
Ekiti: Mass adoption of Oyebanji for 2nd term does not shut door against willing aspirants – APC
