A Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Ekiti state, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, has said those advocating the adoption of consensus arrangement to select the party’s candidate in June 21 election must ensure that whoever emerged must be the popular choice.
Speaking with newsmen in Ise-Ekiti yesterday, Adeyeye said he was in support of whatever method was adopted to select the candidate, on the condition that the person so chosen must have wide support base.
He added that choosing a person with poor support base in the party as the candidate would negatively affect the chances of the party in the election.
He said: “I am prepared for whatever method is adopted to choose the party candidate. For the past two years, I have been working as if primary will be held today. Also, I am not opposed to the issue of consensus.
“I have canvassed it everywhere I go and I think any serious politician must first work to enjoy the support of majority of party members.”
On the issue of zoning the slot to Ekiti South Senatorial District, Adeyeye said in the spirit of fairness and equity, the position must be rotated amongst all the three zones.
“The rotation principle is embedded in our traditional system. At ward level, people understand that it is necessary. Now, Ekiti North and South have served two terms as governor, if any of them is given the ticket again, one of the zones would now enjoy 12 years as governor, while our zone will still have nothing.
“Contrary to what some people are saying, zoning is helping to stabilise our democracy and reduce tension in the polity. In Switzerland, the headship of the country is rotated among the cantons.”
Adeyeye also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that those registering twice in the ongoing voter registration exercise detected and not allowed to go scot free.
