Ahead of the forthcoming congresses of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, some prominent leaders of the party have called on members from Ekiti South Senatorial District to reject the chairmanship position.
The PDP leaders under the auspices of Concerned Ekiti PDP Elders Forum said the politicians in the zone should rather press the party for the governorship ticket and not a lesser position.
The Forum, in a statement on Friday by its Chairman, Elder Julius Akindele said the time has come for Ekiti South to produce the next governor, urging politicians from the zone to put the interest of the district above personal ambition by rejecting the chairmanship position.
Akindele said that nothing short of the governorship position was good enough for Ekiti South, saying the forthcoming Congress presents an opportunity for the region to address the aged-long injustice and marginalization of the zone.
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He lamented that the zone in the political history of the state had never produced a democratically elected governor, adding that as a result, Ekiti South PDP leaders should reject the chairmanship position and join forces with other zones to clinch the governorship.
Akindele called on them to support the PDP senatorial candidate for Ekiti North in the 2023 general election, Funsho Ayeni, saying he is the stepping stone in Ekiti South’s quest to secure a governorship ticket.
The statement reads, “It is a sobering fact that since the creation of Ekiti State in 1999, the region has never produced a governor. This historical oversight has deprived the people of Ekiti South of the opportunity to have their unique needs and aspirations reflected in the state’s highest office, and it is a wrong that must be righted.
“In light of this, the people should be highly cautious of any individuals from Ekiti South who may be vying for the position of state party chairman. While these individuals may possess personal ambitions, their focus should be on securing the governorship for the region, rather than settling for a lesser position. The people of Ekiti South deserve a governor who will be a tireless advocate for their interests and ensure that their voice is heard at the state level.”