Some members of the Ekiti State chapter of All Progressive Congress has warned that the party may lose the June 16, 2022 governorship election should the alleged display of arrogance of power by Governor Kayode Fayemi is unchecked.
The members, under the aegis of South West Agenda for Tinubu 2023 (SWAGA), Ekiti State chapter, said that the actions and inactions of the governor towards some party members posed a threat to the electoral fortunes of the party.
The group, in a statement issued by its chairman, Senator Tony Adeniyi, alleged that Fayemi has created confusion in the party and frightening members because of their uncompromisingly sympathy for the APC National leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Adeniyi said despite the perceived hostile environment created by the Ekiti State government before and during the SWAGA’s inauguration in the state, APC members across the 177 wards trouped out to identify with the cause against all odds.
He condemned the state government for its brazen refusal to allow SWAGA erect its billboards in the state after obtaining clearance from the Ekiti State Signage Agency.
Adeniyi regretted that the leadership of the party at the ward level, who allegedly acting on the instruction of Fayemi, had been hounding and persecuting some APC members who they perceived as enemies.
He condemned the recent suspension of two leaders of the party in Oye Local Council Area -Mr. Kayode Adetifa and Jide Osho – over their sympathy for SWAGA, warning that any further attempt to muzzle the group’s activities would be duly resisted.
Adeniyi appealed to the party’s National Caretaker Chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni, to urgently call Fayemi to order and intervene to save the state chapter from collapse and ensure a united house that could sustain victory in the forthcoming elections.
“We are abashed by the unfriendly reception of SWAGA, a wing canvassing the leader of our party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to contest the forthcoming presidential election for the general good of our party and Nigeria. As we speak, some members of our party who are supporters of SWAGA are going through series of frustrations and victimisation by an APC government that is supposed to embrace and support them for the enormous patronage, credibility and acceptability that SWAGA is lending our party.
“Rather than accommodate and unite members, what we see daily is a seemingly deft attempt to decimate and plunder the party ahead of coming elections.”