Fear of discontent was the reason the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not conduct local and state congresses in Ekiti and Osun States last month, TheNiche has learnt.
The congresses were organised in some of the other states but were postponed in others. Even where they were held, hitches led to controversies.
Congresses were avoided in Ekiti and Osun because the APC felt that disagreement arising from them could affect its chances in the governorship election in Ekiti on June 21 and in Osun on August 9.
Both states are controlled by the APC but they face fierce opposition from other parties, spearheaded by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Congresses held in some of the other states led to conflict and polarisation in the APC. Parallel congresses were conducted in some areas.
A source in the APC confirmed that “it is because of the crises generated by the congresses in some states that the exercise did not hold in Ekiti and Osun; the two states are going for election soon. Many people would not like to accept defeat and that is not good for our party.”
In both Ekiti and Osun, the PDP has governorship candidates capable of springing surprises.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, a member of the PDP, is running for office again, likewise former Osun State Governor, Iyiola Omisore, who also belongs to the party.
Fayose is challenging Governor Kayode Fayemi in Ekiti. Omisore is contesting against Governor Rauf Aregbesola in Osun.