BAMIDELE, ADEYEYE, FAPARUSI BAD LOSERS- SAYS UNIVERSITY DON
…..Says last minute withdrawal poor strategy

A University Don, Prof Adeolu Adeyemi has faulted the decision of six of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to pull out of the party’s primary election held across the 177 wards in Ekiti State on Thursday.

Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Hon Bamidele Faparusi, Hon Femi Bamisile, Mr Kayode Ojo, and Afolabi Oluwasola, had on Thursday morning withdrew from the contest during a protest march at the party secretariat in Ado-Ekiti.

The primary election however took place in all the 177 wards, despite their withdrawal, leaving the former Secretary to the State Government, Mr Biodun Oyebanji who emerged winner with very wide margin.

Prof Adeyemi who teaches Political Science at the Lagos State University, Ojo said the decision of the six aspirants to withdraw from the race at the last minute was a poorly conceived one, adding that their withdrawal would not deter from the credibility of the contest.

“Withdrawing from a contest of this nature is a poorly conceived strategy, especially when the stage was already set and all machinery for the election have been put in place. I expect these crop of experienced politicians and public office holders to show better judgement.

“It is legally explicit that you cannot challenge a process you never participated in.

They have simply shot themselves in the foot by withdrawing at the last minute. The withdrawal from the race has made it difficult for them to challenge the process in the court.

“One is tempted to believe that they were never prepared for the seriousness the contest required, hence their decision to chicken out at the last moment. Public office holders should be better guided in preparation for big league contest of this nature to avoid embarrassing themselves and followers.”, he said.

Meanwhile, Oyebanji in his acceptance speech, shortly after his declaration as winner, promised to reach out to the aggrieved aspirants with a view to working out an amicable settlement.