Former governor and front-runner for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in the 2014 gubernatorial elections in Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has rejected the screening committee constituted by the party leadership in the state, saying it was constituted to actualize the agenda of a particular aspirant, who he did not name.
But close political watchers believe his statement was targeted at the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), who declared his intention to contest the governorship election while speaking with newsmen in Ipoti Ekiti, his hometown on Friday.
While the minister, who is tipped in some quarters to emerge as the candidate of the PDP said he would abide by the result of the screening committee, Fayose distanced himself from it saying a free and fair selection cannot be guaranteed by members of the committee.
In his word, “I am sure that in the mind of the President, he does not want a process shrouded in secrecy and compromised. It is obvious that some individuals are taking advantage of this advice to cause mischief and disaffection in the party for personal gains which will be resisted.
“It is clear by the composition of the committee that there is a clear ‘agenda.’
“I hereby reject the 11-man committee and I will not appear before it or have anything to do with whatever decision they reach because some of them are known supporters of the aspirants and a free and fair selection cannot be guaranteed under the committee.”
