Senator Babafemi Ojudu, the President’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, has cautioned that the divide and disagreement among APC members in Ekiti State is a dangerous portent that could cost the party the governorship race in 2022.
Ojudu said he opted to forego his governorship ambition in 2022 and remain neutral to allow him to arbitrate and address all lingering concerns in order for the party to win the June 18 election.
On Monday, he issued the warning in Ado Ekiti, while meeting with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and kinsmen who paid him a visit at his residence in the state capital.
Ojudu praised his supporters for sticking with him since he entered politics, promising not to let them down when it came to distributing democratic dividends.
Addressing the party supporters, Ojudu said: “What we are seeing today in Ekiti APC portrays a very bad omen for our party, but we will salvage the situation so that we can rescue whatever that remains for the benefit of all of us.
“I am particularly happy for your love. I am not contesting and despite this, you still stand with me. This shows that we have become one family. I have decided not to contest this election so that I can assume a leadership position mediating among aspirants.
“There are divisions everywhere. I even learnt a big fight broke out at the governor’s residence yesterday(Sunday) and people were throwing water sachet and shouting ‘ole, ‘ole. No one appears to be in charge of the party.
“My own worries about APC is that I don’t want the party to be divided and lose the coming election in Ekiti. Someone like me should be able to unite our members after the primary so that the APC can retain this state.
“I don’t want to be part of the problems, but a part of the solution. The party should be able to look up to people like us in times of crisis like this. Let me be sincere with you, my preoccupation now is not how to be governor, but rescuing APC from losing Ekiti is my concern.
“I was the one leading the battle for Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency in Ekiti in 2015 and we struggled to get Mr President 25 per cent as required by law. So, the issue of unity and how our party should be together is the main target”.
“I am not going to support anyone so that the party does not have more problems,” the Senator said, urging his supporters to establish a committee and decide who to support in the APC primary.
Part of Ekiti APC’s troubles, according to Ojudu, is that the party lacks a uniting leader and that the time has come for individuals to volunteer on how to replace the gap in the party’s best interests.
“We don’t have a leader in Ekiti APC and this is really affecting us. The governor, who ought to play that role is partisan. Let me use my neutrality to be able to effect some changes,” he said.
