CSO Faults  Emergence Of  Oyebanji As Ekiti APC Candidate For Gov. Election

By Ayodele Oni

The Coalition of Civil Society Groups (COCSG), has described as undemocratic the process leading to the selection of Governor Biodun Oyebanji as candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in next year’s governorship election.

It warned that if unaddressed, can spell doom for democracy and threaten the peace, unity, and democratic advancement of Nigeria.

Addressing a news conference in Abuja, the groups, numbering 10, condemned what it described as “lack of Internal Democracy within the Ekiti APC.

President of Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria, Oladimeji  Olatunji, who spoke on behalf of of others, noted that “Our deepest concern centers on the lack of internal democracy within the Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressive Congress.

“It is deeply worrisome that the party has screened out a legitimate aspirants from participating in the governorship primaries without any cogent or verifiable reason, thereby creating a crooked means to the advantage of the incumbent Governor who is desperate to getting the second term ticket of the party.

“The second issue of concern is the non-performance of the sitting Governor and the subsequent imposition of a consensus adoption of his candidacy as the party’s flag bearer.

“We are not unaware of the provision for the consensus candidate in the Constitution of All Progressives Congress as political party, but not when such an approach deviate from the decent and the guiding rules of the Constitution.

“The kind of consensus that gave birth to Governor Oyebanji as APC 2026 gubernatorial candidate, is not only questionable, but lacks credibility and ingredients of internal democracy and its inherent democratic ingredients.

“The coalition finds it unfortunate that rather than allowing a transparent contest of ideas and competence, the APC party machinery in Ekiti state has chosen to endorse mediocrity over merit.

“Ekiti people deserve progress, not retrogression and propaganda. The Governor’s administration has failed to deliver on key sectors such as education, healthcare, job creation, and infrastructure, as such not qualify to be returned to the seat of power.

“The negative situations in Ekiti State, speaks volumes of the spineless disposition of the current government in Ekiti State in delivering democratic dividends to the people — all of which are now shadows of what they used to be. Yet, the party leadership has opted to reward failure with automatic re-nomination.”

The coalition also flayed “Discrimination and false allegations against Other Aspirants.

“We also condemned in strong terms, the deliberate marginalization and humiliation of other aspirants within the party. These are known party members who contributed immensely to the progress of that party.

“It is disheartening that the APC leadership in the state has gone to the extent of discrediting the nomination forms submitted by some aspirants, falsely alleging that their sponsors and signatories are not party members.

“This is unthinkable, especially when the so called non-members were aspirants in the same party some years ago.

“Let it be clearly stated that these undemocratic actions have far-reaching implications for the 2026 general elections and the political fortune of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in Ekiti State.

“This is a strong signal that All Progressive Congress is not a party replete with respect for the rule of law and democratic order within the confine of her body polity.

“If party members and the general electorate perceive the APC as unjust, intolerant, and insensitive to fairness, the resultant voter apathy and protest votes could undermine the electoral prospects of the party and further reduce quality participation of the citizens of Nigeria in any process of politics, which is, but not limited to discouraging the voters in expressing their democratic wishes in the system.”