Kwara APC elders reject celebration congresses over imposition claims

Leaders and elders of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti Native Authorities Space of Kwara State have rejected the result of the latest ward and native authorities congresses carried out throughout the state, alleging widespread irregularities, imposition of celebration executives, and violations of established tips.

The place of the aggrieved leaders was made identified throughout a press convention in Ilorin on Tuesday, the place Dele Abiodun, a former chairman of Ekiti Native Authorities, spoke on behalf of the elders.

This got here because the state APC chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, dismissed the claims, insisting that due course of was adopted within the conduct of the congresses.

PidomNigeria On-line studies that the event comes towards the backdrop of a latest viral video displaying some celebration members staging a protest on the residence of the state chairman chanting “Olè” (thief).

Addressing journalists, Abiodun mentioned, “Though the APC ward and native authorities congresses held on eleventh and twelfth February 2026 have come and gone, the ripple results have but to subside.

“Throughout the size and breadth of Ekiti Native Authorities Space, individuals have been crying foul over the best way and method the congresses have been carried out,” he added.

He defined that the press convention was convened to show what the group described as a deliberate subversion of inside democracy.

“We now have, due to this fact, referred to as this gathering to carry to public consideration the flagrant disobedience to the directive to affirm the prevailing executives, the intense manipulation of the method, and the imposition of latest people that characterised the not too long ago carried out ward and native authorities congresses in our space,” he mentioned.

Abiodun acknowledged that protests had erupted in some components of the state over the result of the train however cautioned towards violence.

“Whereas we condemn the violent protests carried out, as self-help has no place in a democracy, we nonetheless imagine that the irregularities and impositions shouldn’t be swept beneath the carpet,” he said.

“The directive from the celebration was to affirm all current native authorities executives; this was not finished, as just about all positions, besides these not dropped, have been swapped,” he alleged.

He additional decried the “unlawful removing of members of the EXCO for no justifiable purpose apart from that they weren’t favoured by some elected officers working for sure pursuits.”

Abiodun listed affected workplaces to incorporate the assistant secretary, the assistant publicity secretary, the native authorities auditor, the organising secretary, and the assistant ladies chief.

The previous chairman additionally accused these behind the congresses of violating zoning preparations and putting in loyalists.

“Unlawful filling of current vacant positions within the EXCO and disruption of the established zoning components with out holding any stakeholders’ assembly,” he mentioned, including that positions corresponding to ladies chief, secretary, and chairman have been taken from designated wards.

He additionally alleged the “appointment of a political appointee of the manager chairman because the native authorities monetary secretary, opposite to Part 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which forbids political appointees from being voting delegates or contesting for positions.”

Abiodun additional decried the “imposition of unknown people into the EXCO to interchange these illegally eliminated.”

He harassed that their agitation was not pushed by private ambition however by a need to uphold democratic rules throughout the celebration.

“A political celebration that fails to practise democracy inside its personal ranks can not convincingly promote democracy within the bigger society,” he mentioned.

The group revealed that earlier petitions to the celebration’s enchantment committee yielded no significant consequence, alleging the affect of vested pursuits.

Consequently, they referred to as on the celebration management to “instantly examine the quite a few complaints, conduct contemporary affirmations, reinstate EXCO members who have been illegally eliminated, take away those that usually are not certified, and revert to the initially agreed zoning association.”

Whereas expressing satisfaction with the conduct of the state government committee affirmation, Abiodun questioned why comparable requirements weren’t upheld on the grassroots.

He additionally referenced remarks by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, noting, “We’re proud of the assertion made by the manager governor that he has no anointed candidate. We urge him to stroll the discuss and verify these utilizing his identify to perpetrate irregularities.”

Responding to questions on attainable authorized motion, a former council chairman, Alhaji AlBello, mentioned the group would prioritise inside mechanisms.

“Ekiti Native Authorities Space has a practice. We comply with zoning preparations, and that’s precisely what we’re going to do. We don’t usually take ourselves to courtroom, however we’ve reported the matter,” he mentioned.

On the viral protest video, Bello defined, “We now have submitted a protest letter to all vital quarters. That was why we determined to carry this press convention, in order that the knowledge will transcend Kwara State.”

He warned that failure to deal with the problems may have an effect on the celebration’s electoral fortunes.

“If one thing isn’t finished shortly concerning these irregularities, we aren’t certain of securing victory for our celebration. It cuts throughout all of the 193 wards in Kwara State,” he added.

The leaders, nevertheless, urged members to stay calm and law-abiding, whereas calling on the celebration management to behave swiftly to revive confidence and unity throughout the APC in Kwara State.

Nonetheless, reacting to the allegations, the state APC chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, dismissed the claims, insisting that due course of was adopted within the conduct of the congresses.

“It’s unusual to me as a result of there are processes and levels to all these, which I imagine have been duly adopted. I have no idea whether or not the group can clearly determine the place their allegations stem from,” he mentioned.

“The individuals who carried out the congresses have been from the nationwide physique. Can these making the allegations affirm whether or not they participated within the course of? What I imply is that people ought to have participated earlier than elevating complaints. Which ones participated, and at what degree?

“The screening committee got here from Abuja. Did they current themselves for screening? Did they acquire kinds for any positions? Had been they denied participation? In the event that they weren’t denied participation, then what’s the problem?

“In the event that they have been dissatisfied with the method, there have been enchantment committees they might have approached. It isn’t acceptable to go public with unverified allegations.

“Maybe a few of them are already planning to type unholy alliances with different events. That’s my suspicion as a result of I’m not conscious of any participant within the congresses who has raised such grievances.”

Reacting to the protest video, Fagbemi added that these concerned had been apprehended and have been already expressing regret.

“The protesters have been arrested, and so they have been apologising for his or her misdirected actions. Whereas I’m anticipated to be a father to all, the regulation should nonetheless take its course,” he mentioned.