The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is not planning to play fairly in the next Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 18, 2022, an opposition group has alleged

The group, which styled itself as PDP Consensus Initiative (PCI), in its second bi-monthly publication, tasks the leading opposition party to present a candidate that had earned the trust of the people.

In the statement, signed by a Co-Convener, Lanre Abiola, the group said:

“We stand by our first assessment that the PDP in Ekiti can only have a resounding victory in the 2022 governorship election if it presents a credible, respected and popular candidate.

“The APC is no longer planning to play fairly in future elections in Nigeria because of its dwindling fortunes among the electorate. We do not need to unnecessary alert you about it rigging war chest, but that can be matched in Ekiti by a strong PDP candidate who has earned the trust of the people. Trust Ekiti people to resist the plot if the PDP gives them a candidate they love & strategically mobilised through appealing electoral strategy.

“We wish to reiterate that Gov Fayemi’s unpopularity may not directly translate into APC’s misfortune. The quality of the candidates will count in strengthening the electability of the party. PDP in Ekiti must go for the best.

“Gambling is not an option for the PDP in Ekiti. It is either you want to remain in another political wilderness for four/eight more years, or you want to win. Victory in Ekiti is the most strategic for the PDP ahead of 2023. Aside from the bandwagon effect in Osun, PDP Governor in Ekiti will help fire the political imagination of Nigerians.

“Those who worked against the PDP in 2018 and made it impossible to produce a successor are still very much around. The PDP will need a solid team (Governorship and Deputy) who can effectively mobilise the people to police the polling units. Electronic Transmission of Results adopted by INEC is a significant boost for a popular candidate of the PDP and motivated people who are ready to protect their votes.

“We are also encouraged that common ground for the success of the PDP in Ekiti 2022 is gradually building. Before during and after the PDP 93rd NEC in Abuja, the situation has calmed down, and there could be a veritable opportunity for consensus building.

“It is time for consensus...think what the scandalous money usually wasted on primaries can do in the main election for logistics,” the statement concluded.

The group can be reached via feedback mail: @pdpconsensus@gmail.com