The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye has explained that the All Progressives Congress Chairmanship primary conducted being conducted today, was keenly and fiercely contested owing to the independence being enjoyed by the councils under Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
Mrs Afuye, who applauded the peaceful conduct of the primary to pick the chairmanship candidates ahead of the December 2 local government poll, urged those who lost out in the race to accept the outcomes and work for the party’s progress.
Mrs Afuye, who is the leader of the party in Ikere Local Government, monitored the exercise across the 11 wards to ensure compliance with party’s set rules, and to avert internal strife.
The option A4 primary mode was monitored by the staff of the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission across the wards in the council .
Speaking after casting her vote at Atiba/Aafin Ward 1, in Ikere Ekiti, Mrs Afuye, praised Governor Oyebanji for making all the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas fully functional through proper and adequate funding.
Mrs Afuye, in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, appealed to party members to coalesce efforts with Governor Oyebanji to strengthen the local governments to make them strong to discharge their responsibilities.
Speaking on the forthcoming local government election, the Deputy Governor posited that Governor Oyebanji has set machinery in motion to ensure free and fair conduct of the poll by ensuring full Independence for the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission.
She advised that the fact that some people lost out in the contest shouldn’t be an avenue for members to exhibit anti-party activities that could trigger internal crisis and suspicion in APC.
Mrs Afuye was enticed by the massive turnout of party members at Atiba/Aafin, Okeruku, Agbado/Oyo, Oke Osun, Ogbonjana, Ugele/Arokun, Are/Araromi/Ayetoro, Afao/Kajola, Odose, Idemo and Ilapetu/Ijao wards to participate in the shadow poll.
“Let me appreciate our party leaders across Ikere Ekiti and Ekiti State for cooperating with Governor Oyebanji to make the primary a success. We will gain nothing if we continue to fight ourselves over chairmanship ticket,only one person will be there at a time.
“I know why this primary was so tough, it is because of the high level of Independence our councils are enjoying under Governor Oyebanji, which has improved the level of development at the grassroots.
“Let me assure you that Governor Oyebanji is ready for the conduct of local government election that will represent the will of the people, so work hard and campaign to our people. Don’t underrate the opposition”, she said.
Mrs Afuye told the party members the government of Ekiti State will ensure equitable and even distribution of political appointments across the wards and local governments to prevent incidences of marginalisation.
“The people that will be elected as councilors and Chairmen will be there for just three years and they will leave. I implore our people to stay with the party even when it is not in your favour. Your own time will surely come”.