By Precious Owolabi, Ado-Ekiti
A governorship aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ekiti State, Emmanuel Fayose, has rejected the result of the party’s primary election held on November 6, saying he legitimately won the poll with overwhelming grassroots support.
Recall that the ADC had announced that Amb. Dare Bejide secured 15,466 votes to defeat four other contestants, including former deputy governor of Ekiti State Prof. Olusola Eleka, who came second with 12,003 votes, while Femi Adegbite scored 9,141 votes, Emmanuel Fayose scored 2,865 votes and Ayodele Adesua scored 135 votes, respectively, at the end of the primary election.
Fayose who described the election as a “charade marred by fraud, violence and manipulation,” declared that he would not accept what he called a “grossly compromised” process, alleging that the exercise was riddled with irregularities, falsified figures and intimidation of delegates.
Speaking at a press conference in Ado-Ekiti, Fayose accused the Senator Patricia Akwashiki-led Primary Election Committee of announcing a questionable result in disregard of widespread violence and documented manipulations.
He claimed that his supporters were attacked, results were altered and collation centres were hijacked by agents of a “favoured aspirant.”
He also alleged that the total votes declared exceeded the number of accredited members, calling it “a mathematical impossibility that invalidates the entire process.”
His words, “I reject the results announced by the ADC Primary Election Committee. I do not, and will not accept the outcome of that charade.
“I won that primary election legally, legitimately and with overwhelming grassroots support. No amount of manipulation, falsification or intimidation will erase that truth.
“I am heading to court to challenge the irregularities and defend the mandate freely given to me by ADC members across Ekiti State.”