EKiti APC Primary: Biodun Oyebanji Wins, Amidst Protest, Boycott

For secretary to the Ekiti State government, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has been declared winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election held in the state on Thursday.

Oyebanji who is said to be Governor Kayode Fayemi’s preferred aspirant, polled 101,703 votes, the highest score in the election and was declared winner by
Mohammed Badaru, Jigawa State governor and chairman of the primary election committee.

Results of other aspirants include, Kayode Ojo, 767, Opeyemi Bamidele, 760; Dayo Adeyeye, 691 votes; Bamidele Faparusi, 376; Femi Bamisile, 400; Demola Popoola, 239; and Olushola Afolabi, 47 votes.

Announcing the result, Badaru said the exercise which took place across the 177 wards in the state was free, fair and credible.

This was despite the protest and withdrawal of seven aspirants who alleged that members of the committee were not properly constituted.

The aspirants who withdrew from the exercise include Kayode Mojo, Demola Popoola, Femi Bamisile, Bamidele Faparusi, Dayo Adeyeye, Opeyemi Bamidele and Afolabi Oluwasola.

The aspirants in a statement earlier on Thursday communicated their withdrawal from the exercise, alleging that members of the committee were aids and core loyalists Governor Fayemi and his favourite candidate, Oyebanji, and that outcome of the election will not be free from fraud and manipulation.

They demanded cancellation of the primary, reconstitution of the committee and rescheduling of the exercise.

In his response, the former SSG, Onyebanji who hails from Ikogosi in Ekiti Central Senatorial District, commended the Badaru-led committee for conducting the exercise and stated that the APC Primary Election Appeal Panel will handle all complaints about the poll.

“The guidelines of our party gives room for the constitution of appeal committee to attend to whatever grievances anyone has. They have the right to their opinions, but the party will come up with its position on whatever they say,” Oyebanji said.

By the result, Oyebanji becomes the APC flag bearer in the governorship election scheduled to hold on 18 June 2022 in the state.