The Senate Leader of the 10th National Assembly, Opeyemi Bamidele, has warned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State against treachery, claiming that affiliations with opposition parties are tantamount to handing them
Speaking to journalists in Ado-Ekiti during a meeting with key party stakeholders in the Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Bamidele stated that opposition parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are relatively new political parties that are actively seeking to expand their membership base nationwide.
The District representative added that internal unhappiness among members might offer possibilities for opposition parties to gain ground, warning that opposition groups are keeping a close eye out for any signs of split that could be exploited for recruiting.
to exploit them for recruiting.
He urged party members to remain steadfast and loyal, underlining the importance of effective internal management in preventing implosion inside the APC.
Bamidele addressed the approaching party primaries, stating that all contenders would participate in the process, whether they emerged through consensus or direct primaries.
The Senate Leader said that Nigeria’s electoral architecture allows for two forms of candidate selection: consensus and direct primaries, and emphasized that even candidates who receive consensus endorsements, such as himself, must go through a formal affirmation process.
He also exhorted contenders, particularly House of Representatives candidates in the Senatorial District, to remain dedicated to the party and not take electoral defeats as personal failures.
His words: “It’s not unusual that ADC is a new party seeking membership. It’s also true that there are those who may be dissatisfied with any scenario or institution.
“And ADC has been making overtures to individuals. It is not limited to Ekiti; it affects the entire Nigeria. What is crucial to us and makes us happy is that ADC is making no progress with their overtures.
However, it is critical that we continue to convey to our people the importance of remaining forthright and managing APC matters in such a way that there is no collapse.
“Because that is exactly what the ADC and some other opposition parties are hoping for: the benefit or opportunity to recruit members from disgruntled APC members.
“The election law mandates two types of primaries. Everyone, including me, will go through primaries.
“The main difference is that there are two kinds of primaries. The first is through consensus, while the second is through direct primaries.Even those of us who would emerge through consensus would still have to go through the primaries, because I would still need people from all 57 wards in Ekiti Central Central District to vote for me by affirmation.
“You still have to go there and be prepared to conduct elections until it is certain that no other candidate is running. And then you have to ask the question again to ensure that no one disagrees with the consensus. Even if only one person is opposed, you must go through with it. You still need to go via direct primaries.
It’s possible that their timing isn’t right now. It is also possible that specific circumstances or geopolitical concerns do not favour them at this time. But what’s crucial is to be consistent and relevant within the party, knowing that with God’s grace, their time will come.”
Ekiti APC Chairman Sola Eleshin praised party members for maintaining a calm atmosphere and described Ekiti Central as a model of political stability.
Eleshin expressed optimism that the opposition would struggle to make advances in the area, citing the performance of the party’s national representatives.
Addressing candidates running for House of Representatives seats in the District, the chairman stated that while consensus agreements may be sought, the party will provide a fair and level playing field as needed.
“We are here to remind ourselves of the need of cooperation within our Central Party. We are the Senate Leaders, which is really significant to us and something we are quite proud of.We don’t want anything to upset the district’s serenity. Those competing will face a fair playing field where unanimity is impossible.
“Let us proceed to our units. We want Governor Biodun Oyebanji to receive at least 500,000 votes. “Let us engage those who oppose us and encourage them to join the moving train,” he said.
Professor Habibat Adubiaro, Secretary to the Ekiti State Government (SSG), highlighted unity among party members, claiming that there was no divide inside the district.We in the district are one, and we should consider ourselves as such. There is no division, and we will tell the world that we are brothers and sisters. “We will go wherever our leaders ask us to,” she stated.
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