BY News Agency
John Oyegun, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), on Monday said the July 14 Ekiti governorship election is a must win for the party.
Oyegun made the remark in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, during the kick-off of fresh membership registration drive of the APC in Ekiti.
He said the party will deploy every available resources to win the election which he described as a litmus test ahead of 2019 general elections
The APC chairman promised all the 33 APC governorship aspirants that the party would conduct a free, fair and credible primary in the state.
He ruled out the possibility of delegates’ list padding and other fraudulent practices that could vitiate the outcome of the May 5 primary.
Oyegun also assured that the national secretariat of the party does not have any favourite among the aspirants as being insinuated.
He said the delegates’ list to conduct the primary had been compiled and would be made available to aspirants with good financial standing for verification.
“We will work hard to ensure that Ekiti returns to the progressive fold after the July 14 election,” he said.
“Though, we are in power at the centre, but that doesn’t mean we should not work hard.
“President Muhammadu Buhari, as you know, will not rig or compromise or subvert the will of the electorate, so we must work hard to deserve the victory that will come to us.”
NAN reports that Oyegun had earlier on arrival made a stop-over at the party secretariat where he flagged-off of the new membership registration exercise.
Oyegun was received by party chieftains, including Kayode Fayemi, the minister of mines and steel development, Segun Oni, the deputy national chairman (south), and members of the state working committee.
Other aspirants at the event included Gbenga Aluko, Ayo Arise, Wole Oluyede, Wole Oluleye, Sunday Adebomi, Bimbo Daramola, Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, Victor Kolade, Kola Alabi, Diran Adesua, Bayo Oriire and Femi Bamisile.
Others like Opeyemi Bamidele, Babafemi Ojudu and Bamidele Faparusi sent representatives.
“We have got your demands and we are giving you assurances that there will be no imposition and that the primary shall be free, fair and credible,” Oyegun said.
“To all the aspirants, you must not campaign as if there won’t be tomorrow. Don’t campaign in a way that breeds enmity. I learnt that you are above 30, but the large number shouldn’t be a source of problem.
“Let me say this clearly, anybody who wants to fly the flag of our party must maintain decorum. We shall be fair to you as much as possible because there can’t be peace when justice is denied
“We must not also have bad losers, you must work with whoever the electors pick as their candidate during the primary.
“All aspirants must ensure that there is no division before and after the primary. We are also barring members of SWC from joining the bandwagon of campaign for any of the aspirants, because this can cause further division.”
Oyegun said the choice of Ekiti to flag off the programme was strategic, saying this conveyed a vivid and strong message of love for the people of the state, especially with regards to the July poll.
He said: “I am happy with APC in Ekiti with the level of mobilisation from our aspirants. You have shown that you are desirous to join the progressive fold. We didn’t choose Ekiti for the flag off of this programme by accident
“We have decided that this election is one that we will particularly work hard and leave no stone unturned, because to us it is a must-win election.”
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