A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Chief Ayodeji Babatola, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in the affairs of the party in the state, alleging marginalisation of loyal members by the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
Chief Babatola claimed that the alleged sidelining of party faithful has eroded confidence among aggrieved members, many of whom, he said, have vowed not to participate in forthcoming elections.
According to him, such disaffection poses a serious threat to the party’s structure in the state and could negatively affect votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
The APC stakeholder raised the alarm over the weekend in Ado-Ekiti while hosting an end-of-the-year programme for party stakeholders and grassroots members.
Speaking with journalists at the event, Babatola described the future of the APC in Ekiti as “bleak and unsustainable” if what he termed persistent injustice and exclusion continue.
He alleged that aspirants seeking elective positions are often unjustly disqualified, citing the case of a former governorship aspirant in the state, Engineer Kayode Ojo, who was disqualified by the party’s National Working Committee on the grounds that his nominators were not registered members of the APC.
Babatola dismissed the claim as a contradiction of the party’s constitution.
Recounting his personal experience, Chief Babatola said he was also affected during the 2018 APC National Assembly primaries in Ekiti State under the leadership of former Governor Kayode Fayemi.
He alleged that despite assurances of a free and open contest, the process was compromised, with preferred candidates allegedly imposed.
He added that aspirants were promised refunds for nomination forms purchased, a promise he said remains unfulfilled to date.
Chief Babatola warned that the growing number of aggrieved members in Ekiti could weaken the party’s electoral fortunes if urgent steps are not taken to address their grievances.
The grassroots politician stressed that the APC belonged to all its members and must uphold justice, fairness and internal democracy in line with its founding principles.
“If a selected few continue to hijack the party and run it like a family inheritance, then the road ahead for the APC is bleak and unsustainable,” he said, urging President Tinubu, as the party’s national leader, to intervene to prevent a possible collapse of the party in Ekiti and neighbouring Osun State.
The highlight of the event was the distribution of palliatives worth millions of naira, including bags of rice and cooking oil, to grassroots members of the party as part of end-of-year support for the festive season.
Chief Babatola said the gesture was aimed at recognising the dedication and commitment of party loyalists who, according to him, have not been adequately appreciated by the party hierarchy or political appointees.
Post a Comment