2027: Ekiti youths seek transparent APC primary, reject imposition

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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.

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While the Leader, People’s 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.

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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 “to adopt direct primaries, ensure inclusiveness and maintain a clear separation between traditional institutions and partisan politics”.

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Adegboyega and Ajayi stressed that “credible candidate selection processes will be critical to the party’s success in the 2027 elections”.

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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.

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He also 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.

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He said, “Traditional institutions symbolize unity, dignity, and cultural heritage. They must remain strictly apolitical and should never be used as instruments for political advantage.”

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The coalition’s position follows allegations by APC Compatriots that certain political actors were pressuring a royal father to endorse an underperforming lawmaker.

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Adegboyega said, “The 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.

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He stated, “Any attempt to manipulate the process or impose a third-term incumbent through indirect means – particularly via traditional institutions – will undermine democratic values and threaten political stability in the state.

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“We 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.

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“The 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,” Adegboyega stated.

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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.

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This, he said, would “promote fairness, strengthen unity and ensure more balanced development across the district”.

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The EKNPYA coordinator, who described the idea of automatic tickets for incumbent lawmakers as “political fraud” and a violation of democratic principles, had said, “Democracy must provide a level playing field. Automatic tickets promote entitlement over performance and deny capable aspirants the opportunity to serve.”

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