An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Dr Adebayo Orire, has condemned the calls from some groups and individuals that a particular senatorial district be allowed to produce the governor.
Orire said a primary is the valid, legal and constitutional avenue of electing a candidate to fly the flag of any political party at elections.
Speaking with reporters in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on the 2018 governorship poll, the medical doctor-turned politician stressed that zoning was unknown to the constitution of the APC, describing it as a “wish which cannot stand the test of time.”
There have been agitations by stakeholders from Ekiti South Senatorial District which has not had the opportunity to produce governor since the state was created in 1996.
This accounts for why Ekiti South parades the highest number of aspirants in the APC. Ekiti Central had produced governor three times while Ekiti North has tasted the position two times.
Orire who is from Ekiti Central, stressed that candidates from Ekiti South have been availed of the opportunity to take a shot at the seat.
He maintained that Ekiti South may not make it again, should they fail at the primary that would produce a candidate, adding that contestants from the zone must submit themselves in a contest that involves aspirants from other zones.
Orire, who described himself as a home-based politician noted that he had spent decades in Ekiti giving succour to the people through his medical profession.
As stated by him, the people of the state are clamouring for a home-based politician whom they believed understands their language and knows where and how to tackle major problems facing the people.
The former Chairman of Ekiti Hospitals Management Board explained that the APC is fully on ground to win the next election, adding that the PDP in the state have disappointed the people of the state by the leadership they threw up.
Describing APC as “the only peaceful party in the state that would not kill or maim when they conduct their primary or general elections”, Orire explained that the little internal wrangling within the party would make it stronger and come out victorious in the future elections.
He criticised Governor Ayo Fayose for allegedly not living to the expectation of Ekiti people and for his failure to accord priority to the welfare of the workforce.
The aspirant advised Fayose to use the latest Paris Club refund by his administration to offset the outstanding salaries of the workers and forget the bogus projects that have no immediate value to the well being of People.
Orire explained that the leadership of the APC had learned from Ondo State experience and believed that the leaders would be circumspect while dealing with the primary.
The Nation