Some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have petitioned the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, over the ambition of the National Vice Chairman (South-West), Issac Kekemeke, to contest the Ondo South Senatorial District seat.
TheTimes Nigeria reports that the aggrieved party leaders, drawn from Agadagba-Obon in Ese-Odo Local Government Area, the same axis as Kekemeke, described his senatorial ambition as “ill-timed and ill-conceived.”
Kekemeke had recently declared his intention to contest for the senatorial ticket following the appointment of Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
His declaration, however, appears to have sparked discontent among party stakeholders in the district.
In their petition, the APC chieftains argued that it would be morally inappropriate for Kekemeke to pursue the ticket, citing issues of equity and political balance within the area.
They noted that Kekemeke hails from the same local government as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia, Sola Iji, and also shares the same federal constituency with the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
According to them, allowing him to contest would further concentrate political power within the same axis.
The petitioners also alleged that Kekemeke’s ambition contravenes provisions of the Electoral Act, specifically Sections 84 and 88, which require political appointees to resign their positions before contesting elective offices.
They stressed that Kekemeke is currently serving both as APC South-West Zonal Chairman and Chairman of the Nigerian Postal Service.
The leaders insisted that Kekemeke must step down from his current position and provide evidence before proceeding with his ambition.
The petition read in part, “It is also on record that during the last governorship election, Hon. Kekemeke did not resign from his position before contesting, allegedly under similar protection. This pattern must not be allowed to repeat itself.”
“We therefore insist that Hon. Kekemeke must publicly present his resignation letter and proof of acknowledgement from both his role as Chairman of NIPOST and as APC South-West Zonal Chairman.”
They added that such a move was necessary to ensure compliance with the law and to protect the party from avoidable legal disputes.
The aggrieved chieftains urged the national leadership of the APC to act swiftly and uphold internal democracy as well as legal provisions guiding electoral processes.
“We call on the national leadership of the APC to uphold the party’s constitution, principles and the provisions of the Electoral Act,” the petition stated.
