Adebayo Adenrele
An aspirant for Ado Ekiti/Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives under the All Progressive Congress (APC), Pastor Yemi Olayinka, has declared that his camp has defeated intimidation by participating in the National Assembly primary election.
Speaking with journalists at ward 8 in Ado-Ekiti, Olayinka said threats and intimidation targeted at his supporters failed to stop them from turning out for the election.
According to him, the turnout of his supporters demonstrated resilience despite pressure from political authorities in the state.
He noted that despite losing the election at his ward level, he’s satisfied with his participation in the electoral exercise, saying such demonstration was a testament of his commitment to democracy.
His words, “What we have done today is that we have been able to defeat unnecessary and undue intimidation by the authority of the state.
“We want to surely tell them that we belong to this state together. We belong to this place. I’m a member of this ward. I grew up here, so nobody can intimidate us.
“And that’s exactly what we have proved today that we all belong here. And if it is just to vote, we have shown them that we are ready to continue with the battle.
“We were intimidated. They even told our followers not to come, that they would beat us, they would shoot us. And I said that’s why I sat in front. I said, ‘Okay, look, whoever wants to shoot me should just come over.’
“We have defeated them by coming for an election. That is the defeat, that is the victory”.
However, the incumbent lawmaker seeking third term in office, Steve Fatoba, dismissed allegations that his candidacy was being imposed on party members, insisting that his popularity across the constituency was evident from the turnout of supporters at the exercise.
Fatoba expressed appreciation to party leaders, including Governor Biodun Oyebanji, cabinet members and Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, for their support.
“With what you can see here today, is this really evidence of imposition? Did we coerce anybody that queued behind me?
“Politicians can say whatever they like, but the facts speak for themselves. What we can see physically here today shows clearly that I’m grounded and loved by my people”. He added
He urged APC members to sustain their support for the party ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
Also speaking at her ward (4), former Ekiti State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Professor Modupe Adelabu, rejected allegations of imposition of candidates on party members, insisting that the primary election was a proof of an open democratic process.
She maintained that all aspirants were free to contest and party members were equally free to support candidates of their choice.
“The voice of the people is the voice of God. We are not forcing anybody. In fact, that is why we are here for the primary election. If we are forcing people, there won’t be a primary election.
“Everybody is free to contest. Everybody is free to vote for whoever they want to vote for”.
