APC disqualified another gubernatorial candidate in Ekiti

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified one of its gubernatorial aspirants in Ekiti State, Mr Kayode Ojo.

The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) took the decision at its meeting on Thursday in Abuja, following the report of the screening committee set up to vet gubernatorial aspirants.

Ojo’s disqualification comes weeks after another candidate, Olajumoke Olawunmi, was dropped from the race.

With this development, only Governors Abiodun Oyebanji and Omolayo Oluremi will be allowed to participate in the party primaries scheduled for October 27.

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Ojo, a businessman and long-time political player in Ekiti State, has often been critical of the APC and, in the past, challenged its structures in the state.

The party’s National Secretary, Duro Meseko, who spoke to journalists after the meeting, said the decision was part of efforts to ensure discipline, cohesion and stability within the party.

He said the NWC, after reviewing the governor’s screening committee report, allowed Oyebanji and Mrs. Atinuke Omolayo to contest the primaries.

He added that Ojo and Olawunmi were disqualified for failing to comply with constitutional requirements and the party’s Election Law.

“The disqualification of the two candidates was based on the fact that their submissions did not comply with the provisions of the APC Constitution and the Elections Act.

“The NWC extensively considered the screening report and reached this decision in the interest of due process and fairness,” he said.