Former Governor of Ekiti State and runner-up in the
just concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in the
state, Segun Oni, has threatened that he would leave the
party if members of his political family are intimidated by any caucus.
Oni expressed regret that he had got reports about
how his supporters were being allegedly
harassed with threat that they won’t be accorded any recognition if the Minister of Mines and Steel Development,
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, wins the July 14 poll.
Oni appreciated Fayemi’s gesture and respect by
immediately visiting him barely six hours the election result was declared, saying unity of purpose and
friendliness could only be sustained if
the minister could rein on his supporters to engender cohesion within
APC.
The party chieftain stated that he would only return
to his former position of APC National
Deputy Chairman (South), if leaders of the party ask him to take up that
challenge.
In the keenly contested primary, Fayemi polled 941
votes to defeat other 32 contestants, with Oni coming second with a total votes
of 481.
Speaking with journalists in Ifaki Ekiti on Tuesday,
Oni said he was ready to change the mindset of Ekiti politicians that defection
remains the only option after losing an election as a popular and acceptable
politician by staying put in APC.
According to him, “I am still in APC, we are loyal
party men. I decided to contest to give our party the probability to win. The
contest was not about me.
Our people must learn a new lesson that when you
enjoy goodwill and you lose a primary, the next thing is not for you to move to
another party, with a thinking that you
will win.
“Even if you enjoy goodwill, it is not good to
expend it that way. So, we are not leaving APC , but I have a responsibility to
protect my supporters. But this habit of winners take all, and what we hear now
that Segun Oni boys will be in the cooler for four years if APC wins is what I
won’t tolerate.
“We are approaching a windstorm, which is the
election and I believe we need to take caution on both sides. As much as we are
ready to work with the winner, they too must be receptive and trusting.
“We are not
scavenging neither are we scavengers. We have been receiving pressures
from different parties that we should come for the tickets, but we said no
because we want this to be an example and a new thinking that when you lose the
primary, you must stay in your party even when you are popular.
“But if they continue to harass my supporters, I
may quit the party, because I have responsibility not only to protect them but
ensure that they are not taken for a ride.”
On the level of money that was involved in
prosecuting the primary election, Oni revealed that money played prominent role
in mobilising the delegates for the highly pulsating poll.
The former governor suggested option A4 in electing
the party’s candidate, describing it as being more representative and inclusive
than the delegate system.
“Money played a prominent role in the election and
virtually every aspirant was guilty of it. But let me say, our party won’t
tread this path again, because a situation whereby few people are allowed to elect
a candidate and see it as opportunity to maximise their profit is dangerous.
“Any serious
political party must guard against that. So, I believe that every member of a
political party must be involved. This will make it more representative and inclusive
than allowing few individuals turned themselves into opportunists and avenue to
make making,” he said.
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