Ekiti: Massive security at APC primary as Al-Makura urges cooperation

All is now set for the rescheduled primary of the All Progressive Congress to pick its candidate for the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti state.

Accreditation of delegates started 8am at Damlek Event Centre, venue of the election.

Thirty two aspirants are contesting the ticket of the party since the 33rd aspirant, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, had earlier withdrawn from the exercise. 

But the Chairman of the APC Electoral Committee and Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura said Ojudu was yet to make his withdrawal officially known to the committee adding "so our arrangement is for 33 aspirants."

The aspirants, some of whom are in white attire,  had arrived the venue and seated at the pavilion of the hotel.

Our correspondent observed heavy presence of security agents in and outside the venue of the exercise.  

Also business activities in the neigbhourhood have been paralyzed due to massive presence of security agents who barricaded the road and diverted motorists to alternative routes. Some shops in the area had been shut down by their owners.

Al-Makura, while briefing journalists on Friday in preparedness of his committee for the exercise, promised massive security within and outside the venue. He also said that 2,618 delegates are voting in the exercise.

It was also observed that dedicated tents had been provided for delegates on the basis of the three senatorial districts: Ekiti South,Ekiti North and Ekiti Central.

Al-Makura had said at the media parley that “Any delegate accredited won’t be allowed to go out for any reason. Any delegate that enters the arena must be identified by his party membership card, and extra statutory identity like International Passport, Driver’s Licence and National ID Card.

“Such delegates must be identified with the list given to us by the National Secretariat. All accreditation must be completed for delegates from all the senatorial zones before voting starts."

Al-Makura told our correspondent in an interview that the huge presence of security agents was to ensure adequate security befor, during and after the exercise.