The senatorial ambition of Dr. Ayodele Ayokunle Olusegun has come under review following questions raised about his compliance with the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, nomination procedures for the Ekiti South Senatorial District.
According to findings from party sources, there are allegations that Dr. Ayokunle did not obtain the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms and did not remit the statutory fees to the Party. The prescribed fees are N3 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N5 million for the Nomination Form.
The sources further stated that Dr. Ayokunle has not provided documentary evidence of payment for the forms or for the development levy he claims to have paid. It was also alleged that he did not participate in the Party’s screening exercise.
Party stakeholders who spoke on the matter suggested that his recent public statements may be aimed at influencing internal party dynamics ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election, and positioning for future political contests. Some stakeholders further described his political base as limited, alleging that he lacks the structure to deliver electoral victory in his locality, Ikere-Ekiti.
Efforts to reach Dr. Ayokunle for comments as of the time of filing this report were unsuccessful.
In a related development, a party chieftain who said he introduced Dr. Ayokunle to the NDC has written to the Deputy National Chairman, South, requesting that the leadership seek clarification from Dr. Ayokunle.
In the correspondence, the chieftain alleged that Dr. Ayokunle has been central to recent internal disputes within the Party in Ekiti State.
The chieftain urged the Party leadership to request the following from Dr. Ayokunle: Proof of Payment: Transaction details and receipts for the N3 million Expression of Interest fee, N5 million Nomination fee, and development levy allegedly paid; Evidence that he obtained and submitted the nomination forms; Details of who adopted him, and the process by which he emerged as a consensus candidate; and Evidence to support the allegations of fraud made by Dr. Ayokunle.
The chieftain also requested a conference call with Party leadership to clarify other issues raised, stating that he had refrained from public comments in the interest of Party unity.
