Ekiti 2022: Direct Primary Best Option for APC, Adeyeye Insists

•Rallies party members for Tinubu’s presidency

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

A former Minister of Works and National Chairman, Southwest Agenda for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2023 presidential ambition (SWAGA), Senator Dayo Adeyeye, has said theGovernor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress must adopt direct primary to elect the governorship candidate for the 2022 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The former minister, said it would be a fatal mistake for APC to allow unpopular individual to be imposed on them during the January 27 primary, meant to elect the candidate that would fly the party’s flag.

Adeyeye also submitted that the Ekiti State chapter of the APC and the people of the state in general would back Tinubu’s presidential aspiration, describing him as the best man to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari .

Adeyeye said this in Ado Ekiti yesterday while declaring his intention to vie for Ekiti governorship on the platform of APC.

Before addressing supporters at the Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement office in Ado Ekiti , he had held a rally with large crowd of supporters, who marched from Adebayo area of the capital city via Ijigbo to Ajilosun, where his office was located.

He posited that the best way to democratise the APC primary and make the outcome acceptable in Ekiti, was by adopting direct primary, so that the party could get a popular candidate to face the opposition.

“APC must win this election, they must pick someone that is popular. You can see for yourselves that people are with us. In 2018, we told some arrogant people that they won’t have their way through imposition and it happened. It is obvious that only a popular candidate can win for APC in this election.

“The national leaders of our great party must return this party to the people. Let the national leaders adopt direct primary to elect the candidate for Ekiti poll, if truly we want to get a popular candidate. Let us return power to the people. With popular participation, people themselves would decide the candidate in the interest of justice, equity and fair-play. All the aspirants must go for direct primary.

“I still believe that if the process is credible and a popular candidate is elected, we will all support the person. But if you go to your closet to bring out a candidate, that would not work. Primaries should be democratic. What is difficult in conducting direct primary if truly you are open and popular? The party must go on the side of the people,” he said.

Adeyeye, however, said Tinubu’s presidential ambition would bring goodness to Ekiti, especially, if Ekiti people also elected him to govern the state after clinching the APC’s ticket.

“Our prayers is that Asiwaju Tinubu will be President and that you will make me the governor of Ekiti State. If this should happen, Ekiti will be better for it. With Tinubu and Adeyeye, it is more goodness for Ekiti.

“Your time has come. We know our governor has not been fraternising with you. He has not been making himself accessible, but if you elect me, I will dine and wine with you. With me as your governor, no room for Poverty in Ekiti again, we will work hard to end it. Go and make up your mind and vote for me during the primary, you will not regret it,” he said..