Ekiti ACN holds primaries as fraud stalls PDP's

As the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ekiti State holds its primaries for elective positions, its rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congresses in Ekiti Central zone had remained inconclusive. Daily Sun learnt there were allegations of multiple voting and sundry electoral malpractices in Efon Local Government Area of the state.

Addressing party stakeholders over the weekend at the Jibowu Hall, Governor Fayemi dismissed the insinuation that he had anointed candidates among the aspirants on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, especially those gunning for National Assembly seats.

He warned aspirants dropping his name to intimidate others to desist from the act, assuring that the party primaries would be open, credible, transparent, free and fair. He noted that all the registered party members were expected to vote for the candidates of their choice.

Meanwhile, an opinion poll recently carried out by an independent organization, on the popularity rating of aspirants for the Ekiti Central Senatorial District was in favour of Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, representing the Action Congress (ACN). In the graphical analysis handed down by the Akure-based organization, In the ACN, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi had strong impact among four out of the five local government areas, while Senator Bode Ola held sway in Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area to hold second position in ACN.

They were followed by Mr. Femi Ojudu and Dele Alake.

The poll on the candidates' of the three parties revealed that Opeyemi Bamidele of the ACN would attract 45 percent of the total votes cast during the election, while former Governor Ayo Fayose of LP would hit 31 percent.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries to the National Assembly in Ekiti Central had remained inconclusive as there were allegations of multiple voting and other malpractices in Efon local government.

Allegedl to be at the centre of fraud was the one-time dismissed Senator, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Mr. Femi Kila. He was alleged to have printed ballot papers meant for the primaries and armed his supporters, also delegates to snuff the ballot boxes. Names of all the delegates participating in the primaries were alleged to have been printed on the papers thereby making it possible for delegates who were in Kila's support to vote on behalf of their counterparts who arrived late to the polling centre.

The cat was said to have been let out of the bag when one of the delegates who came late to Efon voting centre discovered that he had voted by proxy. This led to the cancellation of the results, which had shot Kila above other aspirants. Another primaries conducted on Saturday also hit the rock, but at the time of filing this report, the election was still ongoing.

Bitt the results of the other two senatorial District returned Senator Ayo Arise as the party's flagbearer for Ekiti North Senatorial District, while Senator Sola Akinyede emerged as the candidate for Ekiti South Senatorial Distrct.

Present at the meeting are former governor of old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua; former governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo; ACN National Vice Chairman (South West), Chief James Kolawole; state ACN Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe; Deputy Chairman, Chief Dele Falusi and Secretary, Mr. Bayo Idowu.