BY ABIODUN NEJO
No fewer than three National Assembly contestants in Friday’s primary election in All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged as consensus candidates.
They are former Minister of Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, for Ekiti South Senatorial District: former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Femi Bamisile for Ekiti South Federal Constituency II and Mr Sola Fatoba for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I.
APC State Chairman, Mr Paul Omotoso, who made the disclosure on Friday at the state party secretariat in Ado Ekiti, said the candidates for the 26 House of Assembly seats would also emerge through consensus arrangement.
Omotoso, who spoke shortly after an aspirant for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I, Dr Opeyemi Ogunsakin, officially stepped aside for Fatoba, lauded the aspirants who withdrew to allow for the consensus candidates, describing them as mature and good party men.
The APC chairman assured that all those who acceded to the request of the party and stepped aside from the race would be compensated by APC leaders.
“We are going to compensate them bountifully for helping our party reduce the burden of allowing a crowded race in this election.
“Nobody has coerced them to step down. They did so out of their volition after consultations with relevant stakeholders. These are people who have contributed to the party financially and physically and we shall appreciate them,” he said.
Ogunsakin said, he decided to step down from the race owing to the enormous respect he has for the party top hierarchy in the state.
“I decided to reconsider my stand to stand for primary because of the respect I have for APC leaders. As a party man, I believe in party supremacy and respect for leadership and this I have demonstrated to avert crisis in Ekiti APC. With this, I have stepped down for Mr. Sola Fatoba and I won’t participate in today’s (Friday) primary because I have withdrawn my aspiration in party’s interest.
“I want to thank all my supporters and plead that they show understanding in this regard because I did it not for selfish interest, but in party’s interest.
“As a good party man, we have to respect the authorities, who deemed it fit to have a consensus in Ado/Irepodun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency.
“Let me also state that my withdrawal is without bitterness or ill-feelings against anyone. And we shall all work hard to ensure that our party wins in 2019,” Ogunsakin assured.
