Fayemi Declares Purported 2027 NASS Endorsements Null and Void
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has firmly dismissed what he termed a "kangaroo endorsement" of National Assembly aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections in the state. Speaking at his hometown, Isan Ekiti, over the weekend while hosting party stakeholders from across Ekiti, Fayemi expressed deep concern over the continued activities of individuals he described as "opportunists" within government circles, which he asserted have polarized the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Consensus vs. Primary Elections: A Clear Stance
While acknowledging the importance of consensus in selecting candidates where all aspirants agree, the former governor insisted that elections are unavoidable wherever people fail to reach a consensus on picking a party candidate. He urged all aspirants, particularly those currently serving in the National Assembly who are enjoying electoral mandates, to be prepared to present their achievements to the people before seeking endorsements for another term.
"Any serious aspirant must be ready to face a primary election by relying on their performance to speak for them," Fayemi emphasized. He stressed the critical need for strict adherence to the party constitution, core principles, and the Electoral Act to prevent unnecessary litigations following primaries.
Legal Framework and Party Democracy
Fayemi elaborated on the legal provisions, stating, "The law provides for both consensus and direct primaries, allowing every verified, card-carrying party member who participated in the party's revalidation exercise to cast their vote." He made it clear that where consensus fails, it will not be so-called endorsements by some leaders that determine the outcome. Instead, aspirants will take their case to the field to test their strength and popularity among party members.
He further clarified, "In some areas, leaders may agree on a candidate they believe has performed creditably, but any claim that Governor Oyebanji, former Governor Fayemi, or Otunba Niyi Adebayo has endorsed a particular aspirant is false."
Warning Against Party Hijacking
In a strong warning, Fayemi vowed not to allow anyone joining the party to hijack it, asserting that new members must follow laid-down processes. "I am not against anyone joining the APC, but I will not allow a tenant to take over my house," he declared. "There is nothing wrong with a tenant coming in, but there are proper processes that must be followed."
He reassured party faithful, saying, "I want everyone to put their minds at ease—no 'tenants' will be allowed to take control of the party. Some people are even claiming that they are now the owners of the party. We shall see who truly owns it."
Protecting the Governor and Party Integrity
Fayemi highlighted the potential risks to Governor Biodun Oyebanji's re-election, stating, "We cannot create problems for the Governor. While we had expected the primaries to take place before the governorship election, the current situation means we cannot allow opportunists to take actions that could jeopardize the Governor's re-election."
He concluded with a stark warning about the consequences of disregarding party members' wishes, asserting, "It would have serious consequences if the party does not follow the wishes of its members, because the members are the true soul of the party." This statement underscores his commitment to internal democracy and the foundational role of grassroots support within the APC.
