2019: Bamidele insists on primary for senatorial candidate

A Senatorial aspirant in Ekiti State and former member of the House of Representatives, Michael Bamidele, has insisted that whoever flies the ticket of the APC flag in next year’s national assembly election must go through the process of direct primary to ensure that every member has right of participation and avoid imposition.

Bamidele said there was no truth in the claim that President Muhammadu Buhari has anointed candidates among the aspirants in Ekiti, contrary to position being canvassed by one of the aspirants and Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Mrs Fatima Raji Rasaki.

He advised that Rasaki should stop taking actions that could truncate the chances of the APC in the 2019 senatorial election .

Bamidele, who was reacting to Rasaki’s claim that the leadership of the party had promised her automatic ticket to secure her support in the July 14 governorship election, said Rasaki is not yet a bonafide member of the APC, since her letter informing the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki of her defection to the APC has not been officially read on the floor of the upper chambers of the National Assembly.

Bamidele and Rasaki are both contesting the APC ticket in Ekiti central senatorial district.

Rasaki’s had while appearing on Ekiti based media on Wednesday alleged that the party in Ekiti was plotting to renege on its promise, threatening that she might go to court to stop the party’s senatorial primary in Ekiti Central holding on Thursday .

Speaking while awaiting APC Collation Officer in the direct primary at ward A in his Iyin Ekiti countryhome, Bamidele expressed disappointment at how the Senator had allegedly resorted to all manners of plots to get the APC ticket through the backdoor.

He said the best form of primary is direct mode, which affords every member the right to participate in who becomes a candidate , urging the Senator to prepare herself for a free and fair primary, rather than armtwisting the party to accede to her request.