Friday Omosola
The former secretary to Ekiti State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has been declared flagbearer of the All Progressive Congress in Ekiti State for the forthcoming Governorship election in the state.
Oyebanji who was declared the winner by the chairman, APC Primary Election Committee for Ekiti, and Governor of Jigawa State, Mohammed Baduru announced that he gathered 101,703 votes out of the 104,983 votes casted to defeat his other seven opponents.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the announcement, Muhammed Baduru congratulated the winner and appreciated the party members for their total cooperation towards the success of the poll.
He further stated that the election was transparent, free, fair and devoid of manipulation, adding that the poll method was unanimously agreed on by the aspirants in the stakeholders meeting held on Wednesday.
He further urged the winner and those that lost to work together for the party victory in the forthcoming election, slated to hold on June 18 this year.
Earlier, the seven aspirants jostling for the ticket with their supporters had in the morning accused the party of irregularities in the conduct of the primary election and still, the primary was held at some wards.
The aspirants claimed that the process of the primary was manipulated to favour Mr. Oyebanji whom they tagged preferred candidate of the incumbent Governor of the State, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi.
They alleged that voting materials were distributed earlier than scheduled by the party among other grounds, saying the primary and its outcome will not be accepted.
However, the party flagbearer in the forthcoming election in the State described the process of the primary as free, fair and credible.
This is coming a day after the immediate past chairman of Ekiti state People Democratic Party (PDP) Bisi Kolawole emerged as the flagbearer of the party for the June 18 Governorship election in the state.
Kolawole was declared winner by the chairman, PDP Primary Election Committee for Ekiti, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel after polled 671 votes out of the 1185 votes to defeat his closest opponent, former Governor Segun Oni, who gathered 330 votes.