2027: Ekiti APC aspirants must face primaries, not leaders’ endorsement — Fayemi

A former governor of Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has firmly rejected what he described as “kangaroo endorsements” of State and National Assembly aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that ahead of the scheduled primary elections between April 23 and May 30, APC leaders across the 16 local government areas, constituencies, and senatorial districts have reportedly been endorsing candidates for legislative seats, purportedly under the directive of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

However, Fayemi, who spoke on Saturday at his country home in Isan-Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area, while hosting party stakeholders from across the state for Easter celebration, decried the activities of what he termed “a few opportunists” allegedly fueling division within the party through unauthorised endorsements.

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Fayemi emphasised that no aspirant should rely on backdoor endorsements, insisting instead on transparent and credible direct primary elections or consensus arrangements where mutually agreed, in line with the 2026 Electoral Act.

While acknowledging that consensus remains a legitimate option when genuinely agreed upon by all aspirants, he stressed that primaries are inevitable where such agreements fail.

Speaking at the meeting, Fayemi said, “I made it clear that party members should disregard any rumours of endorsement of aspirants for the National Assembly. Our party remains committed to fairness, transparency, and respect for due process.

“While consensus is always desirable where it reflects genuine agreement, primary elections remain the appropriate path where such consensus does not exist. I urged all aspirants to engage the people directly and allow their records and ideas to speak for them.

“We must remain guided by our party constitution and democratic principles as we move towards 2027. Our strength lies in unity, discipline, and a shared commitment to the progress of Ekiti.

“Any serious aspirant must be ready to test their popularity and acceptability before party members, not through backdoor endorsements that would not help the party.”

He also urged incumbent state and National Assembly members to account for their stewardship rather than depend on political patronage from some leaders.

The former governor further underscored the need for strict adherence to the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, warning that any deviation could trigger avoidable post-primary litigations.

“We must do everything to ensure we deliver overwhelming victory for Governor Biodun Oyebanji on June 20, and anything that could serve as a distraction in achieving that should be disregarded by the party,” he added.

Reinforcing this position, the Ekiti APC Chairman, Sola Elesin, dismissed speculations of any endorsement by Governor Oyebanji, describing such claims as “false, misleading, and driven by desperation.”

Elesin, who said the guidelines for the selection of candidates are yet to be released by the party leadership, assured party members of a level playing field.

He pledged that the APC would uphold fairness, transparency, and internal democracy throughout the primary process, expected to begin early next month.

According to him, “APC remains a democratic party where all aspirants are free to campaign and engage with members without intimidation or interference.”