The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has dismissed speculations that it had adopted consensus candidates ahead of the 2027 National Assembly primaries, insisting that all aspirants are being given equal opportunities to contest.
The APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr Segun Dipe, stated this while speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday.
Dipe said the party had not taken any official position on any aspirant, stressing that the APC remained committed to internal democracy and transparent electoral processes ahead of Friday’s House of Representatives primaries.
According to him, individuals are free to support aspirants of their choice, but such endorsements should not be misconstrued as official adoption by the party.
“The APC has not taken any position regarding candidacy. We are a party with democratic tenets and we believe in democracy.
“People have the right to endorse whoever they prefer, but that does not translate into the party imposing candidates,” he said.
The spokesman described the recent screening exercise for aspirants in Abuja as one of the cleanest and fairest conducted by the party, adding that no aspirant was disqualified to the best of his knowledge.
He said the outcome of the screening reflected the absence of pressure from the party leadership or Gov. Biodun Oyebanji on the aspiration of any contender.
Dipe said the APC leadership in Ekiti was focused on maintaining unity ahead of future elections, especially its resolve to secure massive votes in the June 20 governorship election in the state.
He also dismissed allegations that Oyebanji was backing preferred aspirants, maintaining that the governor had consistently demonstrated neutrality and fairness toward all contenders.
“In every political season, there will be rumours and counter-rumours, but at the end of the day, the APC will emerge stronger and united, while democracy will continue to thrive in the party,” Dipe said.
