Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti state, says he does not hold the view that presidential aspirants above 60 should be exempted from the 2023 elections.
Makinde Araoye, an aide of Fayemi, had made the comment while speaking at a recent event.
But in a statement on Friday, Yinka Oyebode, chief press secretary to the governor, said Araoye spoke in his own capacity and his opinions do not reflect that of Fayemi.
He noted that Fayemi has always held the belief that no candidate should be discriminated against on the basis of age, sex, religion, or region.
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“Araoye spoke in his personal capacity at the event, hence the purported statement is at best his personal views and not representative of Governor Fayemi’s position,” Oyebode said.
“As a matter of fact, the view is in conflict with Governor Fayemi’s well known position on political participation. He is one of the leaders of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), that is not fixated about zoning of presidential and other elective positions.
“Dr. Fayemi is on record to have stated repeatedly and unequivocally that nobody should be discriminated against by virtue of age, where they come from, religious affiliation or cultural background. He believes the electorate, rather than any artificial impediment, should determine who gets their mandate as President, Governor or other elective positions.
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“Therefore, Mr. Araoye, who at the onset of his presentation at the event clarified that he was speaking in his personal capacity, couldn’t be speaking the mind of Governor Fayemi.
“Accordingly, members of the public are hereby urged to disregard the statement which was inadvertently credited to Governor Fayemi. Dr. Fayemi, as a leader and public office holder, believes in fairness and equity. He is a firm believer in constitutionalism and constitutional provisions regarding elections and aspiration to public offices in the country.”
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