The Minister of Mines and Steel Development and Governorship aspirant of
the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Kayode Fayemi, has condemned the
disruption of the party’s governorship primary election, yesterday, in Ado
Ekiti, by thugs believed to be working for some aspirants in the race.
The leading governorship aspirant says the party does not deserve the type
of ridicule which the shameful act of the hoodlums had subjected it to.
The Minister, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka
Oyebode, said the disruption of the primary election was the height of
desperation on the part of some aspirants, who having seen defeat staring
them in the face, conspired together to ensure that the exercise was not
concluded.
Dr Fayemi said the aspirants resorted to violence and destruction, having
realised that he was already in a clear lead in the five local governments
that had cast their votes.
Dr Fayemi, who said he was not surprised by the disruption of the
exercise, revealed that the security agencies had, a few days to the
primary, been notified of plans by some aspirants to deploy hoodlums to
disrupt the voting exercise.
He, however said that the security agencies took note of the information
and promised to beef up security at the venue.
“It is quite painful seeing some desperate elements trying so much to
rubbish the party we all laboured to build to national reckoning, out of
share lust for power.
“If the quest for political position is to serve, then one wonders why the
desperation being displayed by the likes of Femi Ojudu and Bimbo Daramola.
“Certainly the conduct of these desperate aspirants falls short of the
minimum standards expected of anyone that professes progressive ideals.
“We urge our teeming supporters and loyal party members not to be
discouraged by this despicable act. This surely shall pass, and better
days are ahead. Our collective rescue mission has indeed begun.”