BY ABIODUN NEJO
Following pockets of protest against indirect mode of primaries, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has adopted the direct mode for the conduct of the primaries for Senate and House of Representatives aspirants.
The elections, which had been rescheduled following the protests will now hold on Thursday.
Although the APC National Working Committee (NWC) directed the party in the state to conduct the primaries through direct election, the APC State Working Committee (SWC) on Monday adopted indirect mode, citing security reason.
The decision of the party in the state angered some aspirants who protested and appealed to the NWC to impress on the SWC to rescind it’s decision and use the direct mode, which they said is democratic and would ensure emergence of popular candidates.
Former senator and aspirant for Ekiti North Senatorial District, Senator Ayo Arise, on Tuesday withdrew from the contest following the Monday decision of the party to adopt indirect option.
The protesting aspirants including Hon. Bimbo Daramola, Dr Olusegun Osinkolu, Mr. Yemi Olayinka, Toyin Ajakaye and Kayode Babade and their supporters, accused the SWC of
compromise and plot to impose preferred candidates by a certain leader of the party.
A source said: “Some leaders wanted indirect primary at all cost, but Comrade Adams Oshiomhole insisted that the direct option became inevitable under this circumstance, so that they can take care of all interests.
“So, with the reversal to direct mode, we have no option than to allow all members to vote in the primary to test the popularity of the aspirants”, he said.
A statement by APC State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ade Ajayi, on Wednesday said the primary had been shifted till Thursday.
Ajayi said the party would now adopt direct system and that the primary will be held across the 177 wards in the state.
He said: “The NWC had humbly directed that the mode of primary will be direct and it will be held on October 4 across
the 177 wards.
“We thereby enjoin all party members to participate in the exercise”, the APC spokesman stated.