The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified Kayode Ojo, one among its Ekiti State governorship aspirants, from contesting the state’s forthcoming main election.
The occasion’s Nationwide Working Committee (NWC) took the choice at its assembly on Thursday in Abuja, following reviews of its screening committee set as much as vet aspirants for the race.
Mr Ojo’s disqualification got here weeks after one other aspirant, Olajumoke Olawuni, was dropped from the race.
The Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) reviews that with the event, solely the incumbent governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, and Omolayo Oluremi have been cleared to take part within the occasion’s main slated for 27 October.
Mr Ojo, a businessman and long-time political participant in Ekiti State, had typically been essential concerning the APC and had, up to now, challenged its buildings within the state.
Whereas talking with journalists after the assembly, Mr Duro Meseko, the occasion’s deputy nationwide publicity secretary, mentioned the choice was a part of efforts to make sure self-discipline, cohesion, and stability.
He mentioned the NWC, after reviewing the occasion’s Ekiti State Governorship Screening Committee report, cleared Mr Oyebanji and Atinuke Omolayo to contest its main.
He added that Mr Ojo and Abimbola Olawumi have been disqualified for failing to satisfy the occasion’s constitutional and Electoral Act necessities.
“The disqualification of the 2 aspirants was predicated on the truth that their filings didn’t conform to the provisions of the APC Structure and the Electoral Act.
“The NWC deliberated extensively on the screening report and reached this choice within the curiosity of due course of and equity,” he mentioned.
NAN reviews that Mr Ojo, who additionally serves because the Professional-Chancellor of the College of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), was earlier given a provisional clearance by the screening committee pending the NWC’s closing verdict.
This adopted petitions alleging irregularities in his nomination course of.
The committee had flagged his failure to safe the required variety of legitimate nominators per Native Authorities as stipulated by Article 9(1) of the APC Structure and Part 177(c) of the amended 1999 Structure.
Enugu NWC
Mr Meseko additionally introduced that the occasion’s NWC had dissolved its Enugu State Working Committee over what he described as persistent factionalisation and inside disunity.
He mentioned that this had crippled the occasion’s operations within the state, stressing that the transfer was obligatory to revive peace and unity among the many warring factions.
“The occasion’s Enugu State chapter has sadly been embroiled in deep divisions for a very long time. Regardless of a number of makes an attempt by the nationwide management to reconcile the factions, the scenario solely worsened.
“The NWC subsequently resolved to dissolve the manager and arrange a caretaker committee to reposition the occasion for progress and stability,” he mentioned.
The APC scribe added {that a} seven-member caretaker committee was subsequently constituted, with Ben Nwoye as chairman and Eugene Odo as secretary.
He listed different members of the committee to incorporate: Fidelia Njoeze, Peter Chime, Obi Aji, Chidozie Nwafo, and Iman Eke, including that the committee could be inaugurated on 10 October.
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Mr Meseko additionally mentioned that the occasion’s Bisi Akande-led Nationwide Reconciliation Committee would quickly be inaugurated, whereas its Structure Modification Committee would begin public hearings throughout the geo-political zones later in October.
He added that the NWC mentioned preparations for forthcoming congresses and governorship elections in Anambra and Osun States, with the sale of nomination kinds for Osun scheduled to start on 10 October.
He assured that the APC remained dedicated to equity and inside democracy, stressing that selections taken have been in keeping with its Structure and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda for inclusive governance
(NAN)
