Five Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) governorship aspirants in Ekiti State have unanimously dismissed the ad-hoc Ward Congress to elect three delegates in each of the 177 Wards for the primary election ahead of the June 18, 2022 governorship election in the State.

The aspirants are the former governor of the State, Segun Oni; the lawmaker representing Ekiti south, Senator Biodun Olujimi and former deputy governor, Professor Kolapo Olusola.

Others are former National Treasurer of the party, Wale Aribisala and Lateef Ajilola.

Briefing newsmen at a joint Press Conference on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti, the State Capital, Segun Oni, alleged that the materials sent to the 177 Wards were allegedly hijacked.

Oni in the company of other aggrieved aspirants, described the situation as worrisome and would not have expected such act to be happening in the PDP.

He said, “What you have seen today is laughable. And this is the standard we still are as a country. It is very unfortunate. There is nothing we can do other than to complain formally.

“We went upstairs and also told the acting Chairman of the ward congress panel. I believe we cannot have democracy by hijack. If anybody is a muscle man, he should apply the muscle to winning people for the party.

“We would believe the party will take a look at what has happened. This is very unfortunate but we hope the party will find a way out of it.

“Before today, we were getting it right. We were talking across all divides and we believe we would end up together but what has happened today has shown that there is a big problem. Let me sound it that we politicians are testing the will of the people too much.

“If anybody thinks he is a muscle man who can wrestle the process out of the grip of the people, let him wait for them. And I believe they will wait for him at an appropriate corner. We must all join hands to rescue this country from this type of politics”. 

On her part, Senator Olujimi lamented that the scenario which happened in 2020 during ward congress which led to the ‘factionalization’ of the party in the last two years was allowed to be repeated again.

According to her, “As for me, this a repeat of the 2020 ward congress and this is how it was on March 2020 and that is what we have been fighting up till now and repeated itself. Everything was hijacked, the committee compromised and it is a charade”.

Speaking on the development, The former deputy governor, Olusola-Eleka, described the process as a charade.

He lamented that, “It is quite unfortunate that an event we started with great hopes, that things will be done properly ended up what I can described as complete charade.

“All the materials were diverted across the state and I think the national leadership should take a look at the activities of those sent to conduct this congress because it is not acceptable,” Eleka said.

In a remark, the former national treasurer of PDP, Aribisala also lamented that “There is no election anywhere because the team from Abuja has been compromised and we are not going to accept it.

“As I speak now, the Fayose group are writing the results at a popular location. If you think you are popular, things should be done properly”.

Similarly, Mr. Lateef Ajijola noted that ” There is no Congress in Ekiti today, our people are in their various wards waiting for the officials of the party, including INEC officials waiting for the exercise but unfortunately, the materials have been hijacked by Fayose group. I reject any purported outcome of the Congress, if they show up with any results at the end of the day.”

A Chieftain of the main opposition party in Ekiti State alleged that the
Ward Congress, which is aimed at producing delegates for the January 26 primaries, was allegedly manipulated by a former Governor of the State.

A reaction from the national leadership of PDP on the crisis is still awaited as at the time of filing this report.

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