Accounts of what transpired
On Friday, 29th April 2022, the APC Chairman of Ekiti LGA, Kwara State, Hon. Wale Awelewa, called for a meeting of party elders and stakeholders from Ekiti LGA. The aim of the meeting according to the Chairman was to discuss progress of the party in Ekiti as well as to discuss zoning arrangement of political position in Ekiti LGA.
The meeting was well attended by senior party faithfuls as well as the State Party Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi who hails from Obbo Aiyegunle Ward, Ekiti LGA. In attendance was also, former gubernatorial candidate and three term Senator, Sen. Simeon Ajibola who hails from Isapa, Ekiti LGA. Notable attendees were Hon. Gani Abolarin representing Ekiti in Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Wale Awelewa, Ekiti LGA Party Chairman, Hon. Bayode Kehinde, Ekiti TIC Chairman, Chief J. B. Ayeni and others.
The stakeholders meeting started on a good note as progressive discussions were held on good governance of the APC administration. The APC State Chairman made remarks on Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq exceptional performance and quality governance which has now boosted the fortune of the party in the State. He stated that Kwara State and her citizens have not seen this type of good Governance for decades hence the overwhelming but healthy competition amongst the party members to be the candidate of the party for the different elective position in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
In his further remarks, Prince Sunday Fagbemi said that zoning and rotation of political positions brings about unity, justice and fairness in every community. He advised APC Party faithfuls and citizens of the LGA to take a cue from their neighbours, Oke-Ero LGA. He said Oke-Ero has perfected the zoning arrangements and this has boosted unity in the LGA. He also made reference to Patigi LGA in Kwara North who also adopts the zoning arrangement for peace to reign.
In his final remarks, the State APC Party Chairman reinstated the fact the the leader of the Party in Kwara State, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq will create a level playing ground during the party primaries and that imposition of candidates in the party will not be tolerated.
Things however quickly turned south in the meeting when some selected party stakeholder whom Ekiti LGA Party Chairman, Hon. Wale Awelewa gave the microphone to speak.
Contrary to what the State Party Chairman had said, contrary to the Governor’s position and in an attempt to smear the Party’s chairman image as well as other party dignitaries at the meeting, the selected party stakeholders said that the Local Government Party Stakeholders were adopting the incumbent Ekiti LGA Assembly Member, Hon. Ganiyu Abolarin as its candidate for the next elections.
This came as a surprise to majority of the party stakeholders at the meeting who were embarrassed at those statements as they could see clearly that the LGA Party Chairman, Hon. Wale Awelewa is compromised.
Outside of the meeting venue were thugs hired to chant support for Gani Abolarin for 2nd Term.
In a call placed to the State Party Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, he categorically denied adopting Gani Abolarin at the meeting after news publication of adoption and endorsement of Gani Abolarin filled the air waves a day after the meeting. The party chairman said the APC administration in the state would never get involved in such.
In another phone call placed to Senator Simeon Ajibola, the Senator also denied adopting any candidate at the meeting.
In a further investigation, it was revealed that a night before the meeting, Hon. Wale Awelewa and Hon. Ganiyu Abolarin met with the selected party stakeholders including Engr. Molagun Olusegun (Koro Ward) popularly called Segalum to discuss how they would blackmail the whole Ekiti elders to adoption of Ganiyu Abolarin for 2nd Term. It was gathered that Hon. Ganiyu Abolarin allegedly gave each of the selected party stakeholders N20,000 each to carry out the blackmail.
There’s now a general view that Ekiti LGA Party Chairman, Hon. Wale Awelewa is fully compromised by Hon. Gani Abolarin and a Vote of No Confidence will be passed on his leadership of the APC Party of Ekiti LGA, Kwara State.
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