A member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly representing Irepodun-Ifelodun Constituency II, Hakeem Jamiu, has firmly rejected reports claiming he supported any consensus endorsement for the constituency’s legislative ticket.
A member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hakeem Jamiu, has firmly distanced himself from reports linking him to a supposed consensus endorsement involving Boluwatife Fayose ahead of the forthcoming APC primaries in the state.
The Ekiti lawmaker clarified that his presence at a recent constituency gathering in Iworoko should not be misinterpreted as support for any predetermined political arrangement.
The controversy began after online claims suggested that key stakeholders, including the Ekiti lawmaker, had backed Fayose as a consensus candidate for Irepodun-Ifelodun Constituency II.
However, Jamiu explained that while he attended the meeting out of respect for his constituents, he neither endorsed nor supported any such move.
Instead, he openly resisted what he described as an attempt to impose a consensus endorsement without proper consultation.
According to the Ekiti lawmaker, the process that allegedly took place at the meeting did not reflect the principles of fairness or inclusion.
He stressed that consensus endorsement must involve genuine agreement among all stakeholders, not a situation where decisions are forced on attendees.
For him, the integrity of APC primaries depends on transparency and equal participation.
Providing further clarification, Jamiu noted that the All Progressives Congress had not approved any consensus endorsement model for legislative primaries.
He referenced a prior stakeholders’ meeting held at Jibowu Hall within the Government House in Ado-Ekiti, where party leaders only sanctioned consensus arrangements for local government chairmanship and councillorship elections.
The Ekiti lawmaker emphasized that no official directive has extended this arrangement to state or national assembly contests. As such, he described the reported endorsement as premature and misleading.
He maintained that until clear guidelines are issued for APC primaries, any attempt to project a candidate as a consensus choice remains invalid.
Jamiu also expressed concern about how the meeting unfolded, alleging that it became tense and disorderly.
He claimed that during the disagreement over the consensus endorsement, he was confronted by a councillor who allegedly pushed and handled him roughly.
The Ekiti lawmaker further alleged that threats were made against his safety, a development he described as unacceptable within a democratic setting.
Despite the incident, the Ekiti lawmaker reiterated his commitment to peaceful political engagement and internal democracy.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and avoid actions that could undermine unity within the APC.
According to him, the credibility of APC primaries depends on adherence to due process rather than coercion or intimidation.
He also called on the national leadership of the party to step in and ensure that the primary election process is conducted fairly.
The Ekiti lawmaker stressed that all aspirants must be given a level playing field, adding that consensus endorsement should only be adopted where it is broadly accepted and voluntarily agreed upon.
In addressing his supporters directly, Jamiu urged them to disregard any narrative suggesting that he has aligned with a consensus endorsement plan.
He reassured them that his political decisions will always reflect the collective interest of the constituency rather than the agenda of a few individuals.
As political activities intensify ahead of the APC primaries, the Ekiti lawmaker’s stance highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and inclusiveness within party processes.
His insistence on internal democracy serves as a reminder that credible elections begin with fair candidate selection mechanisms.
Ultimately, Jamiu reaffirmed that he remains dedicated to upholding democratic values within the party.
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