A Peoples Democratic Party senatorial candidate for Ekiti Central, Mrs. Fatimat Raji-Rasaki, has appealed to members of the party to unite ahead of the general elections and avoid being used by the opposition.

Describing PDP as a party with preferential treatment for women, Raji-Rasaki, a former member of the House of Representatives, said her emergence was a great testimony to the claim.

Speaking with journalists on the litigation surrounding her emergence as senatorial candidate in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, she clarified that she was never defeated by Mr. Lateef Ajijola, one of the aspirants in the primaries.

She advised Ajijola to withdraw the case in court to prove that he is a loyal party man and stop portraying himself as being used to scuttle her chances in the February poll.

“Our party has not hidden the fact that it has preference for women. There is a provision in our party’s constitution that winning the primaries is not enough for you to fly the flag. The party has control over the ticket and they can give to whoever it likes based on your experience and integrity.

“What happened at the primaries was that votes that were supposed to be voided were counted in Ajijola’s favour. And when I called the attentions of the Electoral Officers to it, they agreed and the deduction of such votes counted in my favour and I was declared the winner,” she said.

Boasting that she had the records to defeat the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Amb. Gbenga Olofin, in the election, she said, “During the time I was in the House of Representatives, I helped over 57 graduates to get paramilitary jobs. The main problem of Ekiti people is unemployment.

“My understanding of grassroots politicking dated back to the time I was the first Lady in Ogun and Lagos States through Better Life For Rural Women. Through this scheme, I knew how an average Nigerian feel and I know how to meet their needs.

“So, I did not only have the experience, but I have the connection with my people and this will work for me in this election,” she said.