Members of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Youth Wing in Ekiti have countered what they called a campaign of calumny against the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, and expressed support for her renomination.
They described Afuye as a competent and intellectually sound person good to be the running mate to Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
The APC Youth leader, Ikere-Ekiti Local Government, Mr Fatai Bello, in a statement on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, said Afuye remains the best option for APC on account of her loyalty.
The youths described the recent position canvassed by a group flaunting the card of incompetence against Afuye, as not only baseless but laced with enmity.
“Our attention has been drawn to a campaign of calumny being engineered by a sponsored group claiming that the deputy governor is incompetent to be renominated as the deputy governorship candidate to Gov. Biodun Oyebanji in 2026.
“We want the public to discountenance this unnecessary and misdirected speech for lacking in substance and for the fact that Afuye had in the last three years demonstrated capacity that has added immeasurable values to her office.
“It is on record that Afuye has presided and resolved lingering chieftaincy and land disputes in more than 50 towns across the state, which have attracted accolades leading to her being represented to run with the governor for the joint ticket in APC in the poll.
“Through effective leadership by the deputy governor, several inter state land matters, especially land dispute between Ekiti and Osun, Kwara ,Ondo and Kogi, have been resolved.
“We couldn’t understand precisely the definition of competency this phantom group was trying to preach.
“Competence stands as a symbol of effectiveness and efficiency at duty post. If this still remains the case, she has not faltered in any of the duties within her purview.
“In case these alarmists are unconscious of this fact, Afuye had at various times represented Oyebanji in discharging high profile state functions, even outside the state,” the youth leader said.
Bello said the governor remains the best person to determine how competent his deputy is, having worked with her closely for three years.
“We want to appeal to Ekiti people to rebuff any agent provocateur, who are being provoke to act as party man to ruffle the feathers and throw a spanner in the wheel of progress in our dear state.
“Mrs Afuye has demonstrated her loyalty to a course and action in the last three years , which enabled stability in government and has served as a propelling force to the wonderful jobs being performed by Governor Oyebanji
“Besides her administrative and political acumen adjudged to be captivating, Afuye is a role model of integrity, honour and contentment that any governor would relish and will admire to work with,” Bello said.
