Ekiti APC denies Fayemi defection rumours
By Jeffrey Agbo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has debunked rumours suggesting that former Governor Kayode Fayemi is attempting to destabilise the party or woo members through a covert stakeholders’ meeting.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, dismissed the reports as baseless fabrications by individuals aiming to incite internal discord.
“We are not perturbed. We are now in a season of propaganda, characterised by spewing of lies and telling half-truths to confuse the people.
“Any busybody who yearns to know what is happening in our party is free to contact me as the spokesperson of the party and they would be reliably informed, rather than looking for gutter gists,” Dipo said.
The circulating report alleged that Governor Biodun Oyebanji and other APC leaders were opposed to a supposed meeting convened by Fayemi, allegedly to reassure allies in the African Democratic Congress of his political presence.
However, Dipe maintained that such claims hold no water.
“I wonder how such would happen in our party that is strong on ground and focused on winning the coming gubernatorial election, thus breaking the record of producing a governor that will run two terms back to back in the state.
“Anything to the contrary is not emanating from within our party but being manufactured by some external forces,” he said.
He further cautioned those spreading the falsehoods, suggesting their motive was to disrupt the party’s cohesion.
“We know that we are the only formidable political party in our state and the country as of today, so people would be looking for ways to crack us up, so they can enter and cause confusion.
“We are also not unmindful of the enemies within who are looking for opportunities to create and feast on crisis.
“We call them crisis merchants, but they won’t succeed by an inch.”
Reiterating the unity within the APC, Dipe said all stakeholders, including Fayemi, are fully behind Governor Oyebanji’s re-election bid.
“One good turn deserves another. Being the incumbent, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has impressed both the party and the electorate enough to deserve a second term.
“This is the position of all stakeholders in our party, ex-Gov Fayemi inclusive.
“And if there is any meeting of party faithful he, Fayemi, is calling, it is towards realisation of this our objective. Nothing more,” he added.
Dipe also emphasised Fayemi’s right and commitment to call meetings in support of the party’s goals.
“Why not? He is a strong pillar of our party in Ekiti State and he will not allow the house he laboured so much to build to collapse.
“All his intentions are geared towards giving our party a good footing in the state.”
Responding to the wave of endorsements for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji from various groups, Dipe said while the party might not be directly involved, it sees no reason to oppose the trend.
“We might not be, but we have no reason to discourage it, in the interest of consolidating our hold on governance.
“We are not gamblers, we are a focused party.”
He concluded with a firm message to detractors:
“Busy bodies and meddlesome interlopers can’t sway our party, APC, from the direction it has faced in ensuring that we win back-to-back both the governorship and presidential election underway.
“We are not worried about what other lesser parties are doing.
“Rather, we are focused on what we are doing to avoid any form of derailment,” he stated.
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