Thirty-three aspirants have been cleared by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to participate in the Ekiti state governorship primaries slated for Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on Saturday. The governorship election is slated for July.

A total of 2,618 delegates comprising those elected from the 177 wards (2,523), State delegates (35) and statutory delegates (60) all spread across the 16 local government areas of the state would participate in the election.

Some of the aspirants include two former governors of the State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi who is the Minister of Solid Minerals and Engr Olusegun Oni who is the Deputy Chairman (south) of the APC. Others include Senator Babafemi Ojudu who is the Political Adviser to the President.

Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State would lead a five-member primary election committee to conduct the primaries. Other members of the Committee include, Hon. Magaji Aliyu (Secretary); Mr. Duke Oshodin; Barr. Robert Okwuego and Mr. Tunde Balogun.

Inaugurating the Committee in Abuja, the National Organising Secretary of the APC, Senator Osita Izunaso said the party is poised to win the Ekiti State governorship election and urged the committee to ensure that the exercise is transparent. He also assured the aspirants that the Party was committed to ensure a free and fair primary and guarantee a level-playing field for all of them.

He urged the committee to rely on the party’s guidelines for the nomination of candidates for public office, particularly section 14 (iii) which stipulates the composition of the Electoral College/delegates, secret balloting at a venue in the state capital and declaring winner an aspirant with the highest votes.

According to him, “If we conduct a transparent primary, any aspirant that wins will surely become the next governor of Ekiti state. The party has no preferred candidate, there is no such thing in our lexicon. It does not exist. All aspirants are equal until after the election” Izunaso stated.

The National Organising Secretary who disclosed that the official delegates list has been given to all aspirants said no petition has been received on the list. He said all thirty-three aspirants have been cleared by the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to contest the primaries.
Izunaso urged the primary election committee to convene a stakeholders meeting with aspirants and party chieftains in the state to agree on modalities for the primaries.

The Governor of Nasarawa State, H.E. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and Chairman of the Primary Election Committee assured that the committee will do a good job. “We thank the Party for considering us worthy to carry out this very critical and important assignment at this point in time. As far as we are concerned, we consider this assignment as a family affair which has to be done in strict conformity with our Party’s guidelines and the constitution. I wish to assure the National Working Committee that by the special Grace of God, we as members of the Ekiti governorship primary will do justice to this exercise.

“We will ensure free and fair election, conformity and adherence to all the guidelines so that by the time the exercise is over, the Party will become stronger and more cohesive. This will be the beginning of the assurance of our great party to reclaim the mandate in Ekiti state” the Governor said.

The aspirants are:
1. Hon. Olufemi Bamisile
2. Senator Ayo Arise
3. Senator Gbenga Aluko
4. Dr. Wole Oluyede
5. Hon. Debo Ranti-Ajayi
6. Hon. Bamidele Faparusi
7. Barrister Victor Olumuyiwa Kolade
8. Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele
9. Mr. Kola Alabi
10. Senator Babafemi Ojudu
11. Hon. Bimbo Daramola
12. Captain Sunday Adebomi
13. Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi
14. Chief Diran Adesua.
15. Dr. Mrs Christianah Mojisola Yaya-Kolade
16. Otunba Yinka Akerele
17. Mr. Olumuyiwa Coker
18. Chief Dele Okeya
19. Dr. Oluwole Oluleye
20. Prince Olatunji Tosin Olofinluyi
21. Dr. John Kayode Fayemi
22. Engr. Kayode Ojo
23. Engr. Segun Oni
24. Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua
25. Mr. Ogunkoyode Oladipo
26. Dr. Adebayo Orire
27. Chief Sesan Fatoba
28. Otunba Bisi Aloba
29. Deacon Adekunle Esan
30. Mr. Bodunde Adeyanju
31. Hon. Charles Dahunsi
32. Barr. Ajayi Olatunji Olowo
33. Mrs Matesun