A coalition of youth groups in Ekiti State has urged Governor Biodun Oyebanji and All Progressives Congress leaders in the state to uphold internal democracy by ensuring free and fair primary elections to select candidates for the 2027 National Assembly seats.
While the Leader, Peopleโs Movement, David Adegboyega, made a case for proper primaries for the emergence of the House of Representatives candidate for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I, the Coordinator, Ekiti North Progressive Youth Alliance, Tayelolu Ajayi, called for equity and fairness in the process to pick the senatorial candidate for Ekiti North Senatorial District.
The youth groups, which spoke in a statement jointly signed by Adegboyega and Ajayi, made available in Ado Ekiti on Monday, called on the APC leadership โto adopt direct primaries, ensure inclusiveness and maintain a clear separation between traditional institutions and partisan politicsโ.
Adegboyega and Ajayi stressed that โcredible candidate selection processes will be critical to the partyโs success in the 2027 electionsโ.
Adegboyega harped on the need for full representation of all stakeholders in the Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I, comprising communities in Ado and Irepodun/Ifelodun local government areas, in the process of determining the candidate.
He alsoย called on traditional rulers in the federal constituency to refrain from endorsing any aspirant for the House of Representatives seat, saying monarchs should not politicise the traditional institution.
He said, โTraditional institutions symbolize unity, dignity, and cultural heritage. They must remain strictly apolitical and should never be used as instruments for political advantage.โ
The coalitionโs position follows allegations by APC Compatriots that certain political actors were pressuring a royal father to endorse an underperforming lawmaker.
Adegboyega said, โThe coalition rejects moves to impose candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections. We are calling for transparent, credible and democratic primary processes within the APC.
He stated, โAny attempt to manipulate the process or impose a third-term incumbent through indirect means โ particularly via traditional institutions โ will undermine democratic values and threaten political stability in the state.
โWe call on Governor Biodun Oyebanji and APC leaders in the state to uphold internal democracy by ensuring a free and fair primary election for the Ekiti Central House of Representatives seat.
โThe strength of our democracy lies in the will of the people, not in backroom arrangements. We will firmly resist any attempt to impose candidates on the people,โ Adegboyega stated.
The EKNPYA Coordinator, Ajayi, while calling for equity and fairness, advocated that Ikole Local Government Area be given the opportunity to produce the next senator in Ekiti North, as the community had not held the position since 1999.
This, he said, would โpromote fairness, strengthen unity and ensure more balanced development across the districtโ.
The EKNPYA coordinator, who described the idea of automatic tickets for incumbent lawmakers as โpolitical fraudโ and a violation of democratic principles, had said, โDemocracy must provide a level playing field. Automatic tickets promote entitlement over performance and deny capable aspirants the opportunity to serve.โ
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