The Senate Leader of the 10th National Assembly, Opeyemi Bamidele, warned All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Ekiti State against disloyalty, saying that alliances with opposition parties provide those parties with recruitment opportunities. Speaking to journalists in Ado‑Ekiti during a gathering of key stakeholders from the APC’s Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Bamidele highlighted the risk posed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a relatively new party seeking to expand its national membership.
Bamidele noted that internal dissatisfaction can create openings for opposition groups, which “are keenly observing any signs of division that could be exploited for recruitment.” He urged APC members to remain steadfast and to manage party affairs effectively to avoid internal implosion, which he said is precisely what the ADC and other opposition parties hope to trigger.
The Senate Leader also outlined the upcoming party primaries. Nigeria’s electoral framework allows for two modes of candidate selection: consensus and direct primaries. Bamidele clarified that even candidates who secure a consensus endorsement, including himself, must undergo a formal affirmation process that involves voting across all 57 wards of the Ekiti Central District. “If even one person opposes the consensus, the candidate must still go through direct primaries,” he explained.
Addressing aspirants for the House of Representatives, Bamidele advised those who do not win to view the outcome as a timing issue rather than a personal failure. “If more than one person aspires to the same position, only one can emerge victorious. The others should not consider themselves failures; circumstances or geopolitical considerations may simply not have favoured them at that moment,” he said, encouraging continued relevance within the party.
Ekiti APC Chairman Sola Eleshin praised party members for maintaining a peaceful environment, describing the district as a model of political stability. He expressed confidence that the opposition would struggle to gain ground, attributing this to the performance of APC representatives at the national level. Regarding House of Representatives contests, Eleshin said consensus arrangements would be pursued where possible, but the party would ensure a “fair and level playing field” for all candidates.
“The goal is at least 500,000 votes for Governor Biodun Oyebanji,” Eleshin added, urging members to “engage those opposing us and encourage them to join the moving train.”
Ekiti State Secretary to the Government, Professor Habibat Adubiaro, reinforced the call for unity, insisting there is no division within the district. “We are one; we will present ourselves as brothers and sisters to the world, and we will follow wherever our leaders direct us,” she said.
The statements come as the APC prepares for internal primaries that will determine its candidates for the forthcoming general elections, a process that will test party cohesion in a region where opposition parties are actively seeking footholds.
