APC cancels Ekiti State governorship primaries after reported violence

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship primary in Ekiti State, which was earlier marred with violence over alleged fraud being perpetrated by one of the leading aspirants, has been postponed indefinitely.

Before the decision was taken, there was a serious violence at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, venue of the exercise, as agents of some strong contenders accused some security agencies of allegedly compromising the process in favour of former Governor Kayode Fayemi.

The Chairman of the APC Primary and Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura hurriedly entered his vehicle and left the venue after an emergency meeting with all the 33 aspirants, failed to yield result. Though Almakura did not officially brief the press on the pact reached with the aspirants, NAN learnt the the need to extract commitments from them for a peaceful conduct in future topped their discussions.  

Confirming the postponement, two of the aspirants, Bimbo Daramola and former Speaker, Femi Bamisile, said it was a unanimous verdict at the meeting that the process should be suspended indefinitely.  

“There was an issue somewhere about the exercise and they raised observation about sharp practices that had compromised the process which led to protest and the feeling was that the process should be suspended to avoid bloodshed”, he said.