By Samuel Sunday
The Leadership of Concerned Members of the All Progressives Congress APC, Ekiti State has appealed to the President of Nigeria and National Leader of the Party, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to urgently intervene in what they described as “Unfair Treatment” of one of the governorship aspirants of the party, Engr. Kayode Ojo and his supporters.
The appeal was made by the Chairman of the group, Honourable Ganiyu Akande on Thursday while addressing journalists at the Engineer Kayode Ojo’s situation office, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
According to the group’s letter to President Tinubu, “With due respect and loyalty, we, the concerned members of the All Progressives Congress APC in Ekiti State, write to you as the National Leader of our great party to express our deep pain and protest against the persist injustice, discrimination, and orchestrated victimization being meted out to Engr. Kayode Olubunmi Ojo and his teeming supporters across the sixteen local government areas of the State”.
Chief Akande, who was a former Commissioner in the State, remarked on behalf of his members that, it’s regrettable that the incubent Governor of the State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji earlier issued a directive to the APC structures at the ward, local government, and state levels not to welcome or associate with any supporters of the aspirant, Kayode Ojo adding that the governor also threatened to sanction any party officials caught doing so.
The group further alleged that the political appointees and public office holders were instructed to publicly defend the governor and attack the aspirant saying that even, the drivers’ union were reportedly mobilized to defend the governor’s position and ensure his second-term ticket.
Other allegations as contained in group’s letter to President Tinubu include; Frustration of attempts to engage the State Party Executive, Non-Participation of State Executives during Ojo’s official declaration, Revalidation exercise irregularities, Party Register Manipulation, Suppression of Campaign Materials, Disqualification and Manipulated Process, and False Allegations, Political Intimidation, and bias of the National Secretary.
The group claimed that it’s now evident that the negative actions working against their Principal are being masterminded by the National Secretary, and a few others who have taken sides rather than upholding fairness and neutrality expected of party leaders.
Noting that the acts contravene the APC constitution, they therefore ordered a review of the disqualification process of Engineer Kayode Ojo in line with Article 31.4 of the party constitution and ensure a level playing field for all aspirants in Ekiti ahead of the forthcoming primary election.
“Your Excellency, we have unshakeable faith in your sense of justice, equity and leadership. We believe that under your guidance, the All Progressives Congress will continue to stand for fairness, transparency, and true democracy”.
