ACN is practicing ‘selectocracy,’ not democracy – Fasehun

The Chairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria and Founder of the Oodua People’s Congress, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has accused the Action Congress of Nigeria of practicing ‘selectocracy’ as against democracy.
This was even as he warned the party to guarantee the safety of Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, a gubernatorial contender in Ekiti State.
Fasehun, in a press statement, was reacting to events following the decision of the member of the House of Representatives to join the race for the Ekiti State governorship in defiance of the position o chieftains of the ACN.
The ACN chieftains had endorsed incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi for a second-term in Ekiti State for the 2014 gubernatorial poll.
Fasehun’s words: “What ACN is practicing today is Selectocracy not democracy. It is clearly opposite the democratic principles we fought for when we defied the Military, supported M.K.O. Abiola and fought for June 12. Time has come for Yoruba people and all Nigerians to teach ACN a bitter lesson.”
Following Bamidele’s open declaration for the 2014 governorship election in the state, the House of Representatives Caucus of Ekiti State, to which he belonged, earlier this week stripped him of its chairmanship.
Fasehun recalled that ACN thugs had also recently attacked Bamidele and warned that the Ekiti State saga must not be allowed to degenerate into violence.
He added: “ACN must guarantee the security of Honourable Opeyemi Bamidele. This young man must be allowed to exercise his democratic right to vote and be voted for in a free, fair and democratic process. He must not be subjected to any form of acrimony and any intimidation.”
Fasehun criticised chieftains of the ACN for failing to provide a level playing field for all contenders in the race for the Ekiti State governorship seat.
According to him, it was becoming notorious of the ACN to compromise internal democracy and trample on the rights of the majority in preference for the whims and caprices of a single individual and a small clique within the party.
Fasehun queried: “It remains classical irony that a party that proclaims democratic ideals will continue to frustrate and insult democracy. What is wrong with allowing party members decide their preferred Candidate at a duly-organised primary election as is done in democracies all over the world?”
Fasehun said that the the former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and House of Representatives member representing Ekiti Central Constituency 1 remained a foremost democrat, who led the vanguard of those who fought for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria.
“Nigerians must vigorously support Opeyemi Bamidele’s quest for internal democracy within ACN, so that democracy will thrive in the country,” he said.
According to him, the travails of the member of the House of Reps was capable of discouraging Nigerians in the Diaspora planning to return to the country to offer their quota to national development and nation-building.
“If people will take seriously campaigns that Nigerians in the Diaspora should return home and contribute to salvaging Nigeria from the doldrums, experts such as Bamidele who heeded the clarion call should not be rubbished but encouraged,” he said.
Lamenting that Yoruba people had always trusted the ACN to follow the democratic footsteps laid by the great Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the UPN leader said the people have been betrayed as the party has continued to bring shame to the South-West, reputed as the conscience of Nigerian democracy.