An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has declared that the transparent screening conducted by a committee of the party for the contestants gave a pointer that the January 27 primary will be free, fair and credible.
The Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District hailed the party’s screening exercise conducted in Abuja on Tuesday, saying the process portrayed APC as truly democratic.
The Chairman, Southern Senators’ Forum and six other aspirants made individual appearances before the committee beginning from 2:30pm on Tuesday.
Bamidele described the procedure of the seven-man committee, led by Senator Domingo Obende, as very fruitful, interactive and indicative of a level playing ground for all the aspirants who appeared before it.
He revealed that the committee also demonstrated its concern for the development and progress of the party in Ekiti by raising issues germane to the successful conduct of the June 18 election and the rescheduled primary election of January 22.
The senator who appeared before the panel at exactly 6.46pm and left around 8:16 pm said the exercise went beyond mere questioning and document.
He said, ”I want to say definitely that it was a very fruitful exercise, members of the screening committee were very sensitive to issues in Ekiti State as well as to issues in Nigeria within our party.
“It went beyond mere questions, screening and documentation. Yes, they did but at the same time they also to know our views on different issues as they border on Ekiti State where the election will hold.
“We were able to have very meaningful interactions between us as aspirants as well as they as members of the committee as a body.
“So far, I will say it was so good an exercise.”
Those who appeared before the committee on Tuesday alongside Sen. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele were Senator Dayo Adeyeye, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, Hon. Femi Bamisile, Engr. Kayode Ojo, Otunba Demola Popoola and Abiodun Oyebanji.