Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has refuted claims made by state candidates for governor that he manipulated the proceedings of the party’s ad hoc ward delegates congress last Saturday.

The candidates, which included Senator Biodun Olujimi, former governor Segun Oni, and four other candidates, had accused Fayose of controlling the congress with the intention of choosing three ad hoc delegates for each of the 177 wards in preparation for the party’s governorship primary on January 26.

In an appearance on Channel TV’s “Politics Today” on Wednesday night, Fayose issued a challenge to the candidates running for governor: provide proof of his manipulation of the Congress. He said that the committee appointed by national headquarters oversaw the activity.

He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police who monitored the exercise have submitted their reports, which he claimed demonstrated the successful conduct of the exercise in 170 out of the 177 wards in the state.

In his words, he is dedicated to the PDP’s victory in the Ekiti state election on June 18 and will stop at nothing to unite all disgruntled leaders and candidates for the benefit of the party.

He said that the other candidates were upset over his support for Bisi Kolawole, the party’s immediate past chairman, and that they were upset that they had not been able to win his endorsement before the election.

“Let me tell you, all these issues and protests against me are the price of leadership,” stated Fayose. While I am not running in this election, I am supporting a candidate in Bisi Kolawole, which the other contenders are not happy with, which is why they have decided to oppose me.

“I never took over the Congress, and I’m asking the candidates to provide proof to the public that I did so during the Congress this past Saturday. It was a mostly successful activity, as you can see from the reports that INEC and the police have produced. The procedure has been successful.

But in the interest of the party, he begged the resentful contenders to lay down their weapons and accept peace, promising to back the winner of the primary.

“I am not stifling any Ekiti PDP member. I have to implore people who are enraged to allow us to work together to win the governorship. I will back Segun Oni, even if he happens to win the primary election. The most crucial thing is that we collaborate,” he stated.

Regarding his speculated bid for president in 2023, the former governor stated he would like to lead the PDP in Ekiti before considering the general elections that year. He did not, however, confirm or deny his involvement in the race.