A former Minister of Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, and ex-Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Femi Bamidele, have emerged as consensus candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 National Assembly elections.
Adeyeye, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC prior to the July 14 governorship election to support Dr Kayode Fayemi, secured the party’s senatorial ticket for Ekiti South Senatorial District.
Bamisile also emerged House of Representatives candidate in Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, with Mr. Sola Fatoba emerging a consensus candidate in Ekiti Central constituency I, after Dr. Opeyemi Ogunsakin and others stepped down from the race.
This came as the APC held its primaries Friday after postponing the exercise twice, the state chairman of the party, Mr. Paul Omotoso, said the aspirants emerged through a credible process leading to consensual agreement among the political gladiators from the zones.
Omotoso spoke at the party’s secretariat in Ado Ekiti when Ogunsakin rescinded his decision to stand for election in the Thursday primary.
Omotoso said 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 was coerced 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’s 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 Sola Fatoba and I won’t participate in today’s (Thursday) primary, because I have withdrawn my aspiration in party’s interest.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 said.
