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Tag: Ekiti poll:

  • We won’t allow sharing of money during Ekiti poll – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Monday it has put mechanisms in place to check sharing of money to voters during the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State.

    The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, warned political parties against inducing voters during the election.

    He said party agents caught sharing money would be dealt in accordance with the law.

    Yakubu expressed regret that the previous governorship polls in Edo, Ondo and Anambra States were highly monetized with each voter getting as high as N5,000 each to vote for parties.

    The INEC chief, who gave the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting on Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Ado-Ekiti, said the Commission would collaborate with security agencies to check vote buying at polling booths.

    The meeting was attended by the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, an aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leaders of political parties, security agencies, market women, civil society organizations and labour leaders, among others.

    Yakubu, who was represented by the National Commissioner in charge of Oyo, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo States, Prince Adedeji Soyebi, said vehicles won’t be allowed near polling booths during the Ekiti poll “because politicians used them to ferry cash to be shared to voters.”

    He said: “The elections in Edo, Ondo and Anambra States were largely monetized. We are aware of this. It was see and buy, but it won’t happen in Ekiti.

    “It was N5,000 per vote in Ondo and Anambra States. We are working with security agencies not to allow it to happen again. We even seized some cash in Anambra State.

    “In Ekiti election, we won’t allow any vehicle to come near the polling units because the politicians used to keep the money in the booth. With this, it will reduce because politicians can’t carry large amount in their pockets.”

  • Ekiti poll: Waiting for Fayemi

    In this piece, Adegboyega Ajayi, examines the preparations for the governorship elections in Ekiti State and contends that the likely entry of Minister of solid Minerals and Steel Development Dr. Kayode Fayemi may change the political calculations.

    It is wrong to use immoral means to attain moral ends and it is just as wrong, or even more so, to use moral means to preserve immoral ends. Members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ekiti State  are currently working at cross-purposes. This may spell doom for the party and lead to another abysmal outcome in the forthcoming governorship election in the state. The APC in Ekiti state is blessed with all shades of characters, out of which about forty (40) individuals have shown or declared interest in contesting the primary election of the party, to choose its flag bearer. The fact that APC has this array of eminently qualified personalities vying to fly the flag of the party is an impressive blessing. Unfortunately the APC in Ekiti state seems to be at a loss on how best to manage this blessing. There is nothing wrong in having many aspirants within a party. It’s absolutely good and healthy for the party members to be presented with various options to pick from. However, it is absurd, barbaric and counterproductive for the various aspirants for the party’s ticket to engage in or encourage campaign of calumny against one another. Unless something is done quickly to caution the gladiators and tame some foot soldiers (attack dogs) of the aspirants, the party will move towards imminent but avoidable implosion and perdition in Ekiti State.

    There is urgent need for a paradigm shift for the aspirants and their foot soldiers. Rather than talking about their common enemy (the PDP) and / or programs of their principals, majority of party faithful derive pleasure in talking negatively about other aspirant(s) perceived to be the threat to their principals’ ambition. The focus was on Chief Segun Oni at a time. There was nothing they didn’t say about the man before and after his official declaration. At different times, Senator Gbenga Aluko, Rt. Hon. Femi Bamishile, Senator Babafemi Ojudu and others were at the receiving ends of the unnecessary and fruitless attacks. Dr. Kayode Fayemi is currently at the center of the storm. He has not been spared for a moment since the news of his anticipated declaration broke out. It is worrisome that the APC members could devote so much precious time,  energy and resources to destroy and decimate fellow aspirants within the same party. If by sheer luck you win the primaries and pick the ticket, do you expect those you (or your proxy) have decimated to rally round you at the general election? If providence gives the person you (or your proxy) decimated victory, how would you come out to market and campaign for such person?

    In the build up to the 2016 gubernatorial election in Ondo State, the state APC experienced something similar to what is currently going in Ekiti state. Some of the  aspirants were at each other’s neck. The foot soldiers of various camps engaged in whatever means (right or wrong) to market and promote their principals. The present Ondo state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was one of the most widely criticized aspirants during the campaign for the Ondo state APC primary in 2016. The campaign of calumny against him was so high that at a time he was not rated among the three top likely winners of the primary. However, before things got out of hands the aspirants came together under the name of “APC Aspirants Forum” and with the backing of the party leaders in the state, called all camps to order.

    Where there is no law, there is no crime! The Ondo state APC and the aspirants collectively signed an MOU with strong warning that no party member must engage in campaign of calumny or disparage any aspirant. The focus of each camp then was on the common enemy (the PDP) and what you are bringing on board (your program) as an aspirant. This helped to restore sanity to some levels because “at his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst.” This is one major reason all the aspirants congratulated the eventual winner of the Ondo state APC primary election, immediately he was proclaimed winner. Though one or two later recanted and withdrew their congratulatory messages.

    Someone said there is nothing progressive about the APC. As libelous as this may sound, the attitude of the party faithful is giving credence to that assertion, as currently seen in Ekiti State. It is a common knowledge that the PDP-led government in Ekiti state have left no stone unturned in its quest to discredit and rubbish Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his government. There is nothing new about the antics of the PDP. As a matter of fact it should be expected. What’s disheartening however is the attitude of the APC toward the incessant attack on Fayemi. I am yet to see where Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Senator Abiodun Olujimi, Dr. Dare Bejide and Barr. Owoseni Ajayi or their supporters openly castigate Dr. Fayemi or celebrate his persecution by the state government. Unfortunately where or when people celebrate, promote or publicize the persecution of Dr. Fayemi you will always find APC members at the forefront.

    Dr. Kayode Fayemi seems to be enjoying free publicity at the moment because some aspirants (and their followers) talk about him more than their agenda for Ekitikete. Imagine about thirty (30) different camps (aspirants and followers) talking about an aspiring aspirant across the length and breadth of Ekiti state simultaneously.  His posters were torn and defaced within twenty-four hours they were pasted whereas some posters have been out unnoticed and untouched for months!! Who is afraid of Fayemi?  Those who are not publicizing or celebrating Fayemi’s persecution are also guilty of keeping quiet when they should be speaking out to defend him. How can we call ourselves progressives if we can’t defend our own. You may not like Fayemi, you don’t have to like him, but the fact remains that he was an APC governor and currently an APC minister. An attack on him is an attack on the APC family, especially in Ekiti state. We should not allow personal ambition to becloud our sense of reasoning. We should be progressive in thoughts and deeds.

    APC lost to the PDP in 2014 because as at the time the election came up, the APC in Ekiti state was in total disarray. Even though Fayemi was the governor then, a tree does not make a forest. We should be together in victory or loss. I am sure, had it been he won the election, most of the negative stories being said about him now may not surface. Therefore rather than trading blames and polarizing the party further, we should work on how to unite the party. There is no aspirant on the field today that can singlehandedly defeat the PDP without the support of the other aspirants. If you win the primary by disparaging other aspirants, can you win the general election alone? The youths should wake up to their responsibilities because they are the biggest losers, should APC lose to the PDP this year. As at today, without prejudice to other aspirants, there are three major camps viz:  Kayode Fayemi, Segun Oni and others within the Ekiti state APC. Dr. Kayode Fayemi, like most of the other aspirants, have little or nothing to lose, should APC lose to the PDP. The losers are the common party faithful who have been in the cold for four years. Can they afford the cold for another four years? This is another reason we should stop taunting anybody that he or she can’t win general election. The combined strength of these various camps is enough to dislodge the PDP but can the camps ever work together? They have no choice. They either work and stand together or sink separately.

    Whoever is good enough to win the primary can as well win the general election if, and only if, the other aspirants put the interest of the party above personal interest and rally round him for the good of all. However, where personal interest override party’s interest, what happened in Ondo state may repeat itself in Ekiti state. In Ondo state, leaders (national and state) openly worked against the party’s interest but in the end, the common interest prevailed. Unfortunately in Ekiti state we don’t have a Jimoh Ibrahim to do the hatchet job for us. Therefore, we must approach the battle united or else our loss at the poll will signify direct entry to perdition for Ekiti state APC. If Fayemi (or any other aspirant) wins the primary and the other camps refuse to support and work for his victory at the gubernatorial election as being tauted in some quarters, thereby leading to another success for the PDP. The biggest loser wouldn’t be Fayemi but the Ekiti state APC and the common man that wants or desires change.

    The leaders (national and state) should call all aspirants and their followers to order. The intraparty wrangling must end. Each time you disparage an aspirant, you are indirectly putting the APC at a disadvantage, should the person you are disparaging win the primary. You are equally hurting the APC the more because the person you disparaged may not support you at the general election, should you win the primary. The more the merrier. You should focus on your aspirant and his ambition and leave the other aspirants alone. If you are not sure your aspirant can win the primary don’t invest your energy on destroying another aspirant whose chance intimidates yours. Let’s act and work together like  real progressives, if indeed we are progressives. Your personal interest, aspiration and ambition shouldn’t jeopardize the party’s success. May the best man win the primary of the APC and may the wish of God prevail in Ekiti state. United we stand, divided we fall.!

    • Ajayi, an APC chieftain, sent this from Ikoro-Ekiti.

     

  • Ekiti poll: Oni urges APC to field ‘popular’ candidate

    Ekiti poll: Oni urges APC to field ‘popular’ candidate

    •‘We won’t allow Fayose manipulate primaries’ 

    Former Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to field a “popular candidate” for the July 14 governorship election.

    He was on a tour of local governments to canvass support to boost his governorship ambition.

    According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari is not interested in rigging the election, but wants the party to win credibly.

    The ex-governor visited Ekiti Southwest and Ikere Local Government Areas, where he met with party leaders and delegates, and canvassed their votes.

    Oni, who was accompanied by his wife, Olukemi, staged road shows in Ilawe and Ikere before meeting the delegates. He promised to justify the confidence reposed in him if chosen as the party’s candidate and elected governor.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has said the party will not allow Governor Ayo Fayose manipulate the primaries.

    He said Fayose’s endorsement of his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, “no longer holds water with the verdict of the David Mark-led panel that all aspirants would be allowed to partake in a credible shadow election”.

    According to him, the party’s national leadership has assured all aspirants of a level playing field at the primaries to be conducted at a yet-to-be-fixed date.

    Adeyeye, who spoke yesterday on an interview programme on Voice 89.9FM, said the Mark-led Reconciliation Panel recommended that all aspirants be allowed to participate in the primaries.

    Adeyeye, who spoke through the Director of Publicity, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement (PAAM), Niyi Ojo, said: “The governor has understood that it is better for the party to win this election, so nobody will be intimidated, harassed and punished for supporting any aspirant.

    “Fayose has agreed to support any aspirant who wins the primaries. The eternal joy the governor will have is to have continuity of PDP and not continuity of any particular aspirant.

    “The endorsement of Eleka (Olusola) holds no water, we will all go for the primaries and I know that my principal (Adeyeye) will win.

    “The organisers will not be lodged at the Government House and if anybody believes that Fayose will write the list of delegates, such a thing will not happen.”

  • Fayose expresses fear over Ekiti poll

    Fayose expresses fear over Ekiti poll

    Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose yesterday visited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    The governor said he was at the commission’s national headquarters to express his fears on the July governorship poll in his state.

    Fayose, who addressed reporters after an initial decline, said the activities of opposition parties had raised what he called disturbing concerns.

    He said: “As a public officer, I feel that it is important to express my disfavour on issues that have to do with INEC and some other concerns and the bragging of some of opposition figures at the centre in respect of the governorship election in July. I said I should come and have an interactive session with INEC and share my fears.

    “INEC is a public place, a public office. Any citizen of this nation should be able to ask questions. I have come here to ask questions on the July 14 election in my state, and as they affect the 2019 general elections.

    “We hear a lot of things and we feel it is within our right to ask INEC questions.

    “I was well received by all the national commissioners seated. I expressed my concerns about what I have heard and what have been making the rounds. It was a very useful session; quiet educative.”

    On what he took away from the interactive session with INEC officials, Fayose said: “So far, so good. They have been able to allay my fears. I don’t want to sit down there and assume anything. I am a man of action. I am very proactive and I would not take a chance.

    “I felt I should see them and ask questions. I have asked a number of questions and they have answered me. They have gone through the whole process and what to expect from INEC. They promised not to descend. That is assuring, and I am satisfied. If I have further issues or questions to ask, I won’t fail to ask.”

  • Ekiti poll: Can Adeyeye get PDP’s ticket?

    Ekiti poll: Can Adeyeye get PDP’s ticket?

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has anointed his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, as his successor. But, some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have objected to it. They believe that former Minister of State for Works Prince Dayo Adeyeye will be a more better candidate. Assistant Editor GBADE OGUNWALE examines the struggle for succession in the opposition party.

    It was Wednesday, January 24. A mammoth crowd roared in ecstatic frenzy, defying the sting of the scorching afternoon sun. Men, women, old and young had trooped to the streets in their numbers. The motorcade moved slowly through the main Ado-Ekiti-Ikere Road, setting the ancient town agog. Chants of “Adeyeye la fe” (We want Adeyeye) echoed. Decked in a white kaftan and an Awo cap to match, Prince Dayo Adeyeye popped out of the open roof of a black SUV, waving in all directions as he acknowledged cheers from the crowd of residents. A sea of heads had taken over the entire road, forming some kilometres of slow-moving human traffic behind the motorcade. The journey to Adeyeye’s declaration ground, located directly opposite his campaign office on Ikere Road, took some hours to accomplish. When the motorcade eventually arrived at the venue, the team of security agents who accompanied the motorcade and the ones at the venue had a hectic job navigating the aspirant through the crowd. It was difficult to persuade the army of singing and dancing supporters to give their man time and space to address them. It was a momentous event as Adeyeye declared his intention to contest the governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Adeyeye, accompanied by his wife, momentarily, remained glued to the podium, speechless. Finding his voice, the aspirant’s chant of Pee- Dee-Pee…was greeted with a thunderous feedback from the crowd who responded with chants of power, power, power! Carefully choosing his words and moderating his language, Adeyeye reeled off what has turned out to be the many regrets of Ekiti indigenes who voted for Ayo Fayose in 2014. According to the Ise-Ekiti born-politician, voters simply bought a pig in the poke. Allegations are rife of the governor having his ten fingers wrapped around every contract, big or small, with terms and conditions of the contracts known only to him. Members of the state executive council and their counterparts in the Assembly are said to have been reduced to mere spectators where the lord of the manor holds court. Many party stalwarts in the Adeyeye camp narrated how Fayose betrayed a gentleman’s agreement he reached with Adeyeye in the run- up to the 2014  election. They recalled how former President Goodluck Jonathan mediated between the two politicians at the time to enable the party present a common candidate for the election. Apparently seeing Adeyeye as the more sober of the two, Jonathan was said to have prevailed on him to allow Fayose to contest the election. More so, the former President had reasoned that since Fayose constitutionally had only one term of four years to be governor, Adeyeye should let go. He agreed and Fayose got the ticket through a garrison-like primary that left other aspirants in the race holding the short end of the stick. The rest is history.

    As compensation for his sacrifice, Jonathan rewarded Adeyeye with Minister of State (Works). Now that it is time for the governor to honour his gentleman’s agreement, the story has taken a twist. The governor has proclaimed his deputy, Prof Kolapo Olusola, as his would-be successor. Not even the intervention of Jonathan could sway the governor’s unilateral decision. Neither is he moved by the deluge of protests from other aspirants and stakeholders. Fayose has been erecting billboards in every available space in Ado-Ekiti and other towns. Some of the billboards have portraits of the governor, shaking hands with his deputy, with a bold inscription: “Ekiti people, meet your next governor”. Without mincing words, Fayose had, at a rally he organised for his deputy, said Adeyeye and other aspirants were free to leave the PDP, if they so wished.

    Adeyeye said if given the chance, he would enthrone a culture of probity, transparency and accountability in the management of the state’s resources, adding that Ekiti indigenes would be relieved of what he described as the heavy yoke of servitude placed on them by Fayose. But, the hurdles in the way of his aspiration are daunting  Fayose’s decision to field his deputy as candidate appears to be cast in granite. The governorship primary, will be a testy experience for Adeyeye. Judging by precedents, PDP governors may not be  able to prevail on their Ekiti counterpart to play by the rules. Also, the newly constituted national leadership of the party does not seem to have the capacity to tame the governor. In the entire history of the PDP, the governors are laws unto themselves, with cult-like solidarity with one another, regardless of whether the cause is right or wrong. This was demonstrated during the conduct of the party’s December 9, national convention in which the governors ensured the emergence of their preferred candidates as officials of the party.

    But, Adeyeye said he was not seeking any undue leverage from the governors or the party leadership. On what his next step would be in the event of the governor foisting his protege on the party, Adeyeye replied that every politician must have options when pushed to the wall. Vowing not to back down from the race, the aspirant said that it would serve the overall interest of the PDP, if governors and the party leadership tread the path of caution and restraint.

    Sources close to Adeyeye, however, said the aspirant was not putting all his eggs in one basket, even as they confirmed that his loyalty and commitment to the PDP remained intact. The difficult task before the governors and the leadership of the party is how to strike a fair balance with contestants in the race. Under consideration is Adeyeye’s service to the PDP during the 14-month excruciating struggle with the Ali Modu Sheriff-led leadership against the party. Adeyeye and other members of the Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee, were on the firing line. As spokesman for the Caretaker Committee, it became Adeyeye’s burden to contend with smear campaign mounted by the Sheriff camp. It took the July 12, 2017 judgment by the Supreme Court to cut Sheriff to size. He also played a prominent role in the conduct of the December 9 national convention of the party, where the new national officers emerged. Now, not a few stakeholders in the party believe that it is the turn of the party leadership and the governors to ensure that Adeyeye gets the appropriate compensation commensurate to what they considered his selfless and unblemished service to the party.

    Fayose championed the choice of Sheriff as party chairman in the first place, despite stiff opposition from right thinking stakeholders and elders. What manner of reward does Adeyeye expect from the governors and the party leadership? Hear him: “I am not asking for favours. All I ask for is a free, fair and transparent primaries that can stand the integrity and credibility test. This can only happen by ensuring that the delegates list for the primaries is not in any way doctored or manipulated to serve the interest of any particular aspirant, including myself”. But will the party and its governors uphold the credibility of the selection process? Only time will tell.

  • Ekiti poll: Group decries dearth of substance in polity

    Ekiti poll: Group decries dearth of substance in polity

    Ahead of this year’s governorship election in Ekiti State, a non-governmental and non-partisan public advocacy organisation, Ekiti Future Agenda (EFA), has decried the lack of political substance, formidable ideology and quality electioneering in the build-up to the July poll.

    The group condemned what it called petty issues, pedestrian propaganda and mundane communication have dominated the political scene.

    It urged the stakeholders, especially the aspirants, to showcase their manifestos, development blueprints and agenda for genuine development of the state, instead of engaging “in fairy tale, war of words and propaganda contests”.

    EFA’s Convener Adesina Adetola said the trend would not give the people the opportunity to elect the best candidate in the July poll.

    The activist said unless urgent steps were taken, the state might be going into another political bondage for the next four years.

    Adetola said: “In the face of the current happenings in the state, where most of the political gladiators, instead of telling the people why they are interested in the race, are outdoing one another in inconsequential issues by engaging the youths as bulldogs to continually and irrepressibly attack their political rivals – physically and most especially via the social media – it is obvious that the state has a long way to go in laying a resourceful foundation for its younger generation.”

    The EFA convener said while the electorate was waiting for the political parties to elect their flag bearers, the delegates, who will elect the candidate at the primaries, need to know what the aspirants have in stock for the growth and socio-economic development of the state.

    He added: “It is a fact that the state needs a visionary leader, an individual who has a robust idea of what genuine development and true governance entail in this 21st century. The state, at this crucial stage of contemporary global advancement, cannot afford a leader without a thoroughly packaged and realistic development blueprint, supported by a well-articulated political ideology that will consequently aid the socio-economic development of the state in all ramifications.”

    EFA, which was founded in 2012, mobilises public opinion towards building and sustaining democratic values and culture to aid a better and rewarding future for the people.

    Last December, the organisation, in conjunction with another socio-economic group, The Pacers, organised a public lecture in Ado-Ekiti where participants highlighted strategies for taking Ekiti out of its current political doldrums. The guest speakers at the lecture, which was chaired by a veteran journalist, Dare Babarinsa, included Ekiti State Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola; an Abuja-based businessman and politician, Muyiwa Olumilua; the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Funso Falade and Prof Femi Olokesusi of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ekiti poll: PDP’s primary ‘ll shock Fayose, says ex-envoy

    Ekiti poll: PDP’s primary ‘ll shock Fayose, says ex-envoy

    Former Nigeria’s envoy to Canada and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State,  Ambassador Dare Bejide has said the outcome of the primary for next year’s election will shock Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    He maintained that Fayose endorsement of his deputy, Prof  Kolapo Olusola, as the sole candidate would not stand, adding it was an exercise in futility.

    The Pro-Fayose stakeholders have  endorsed Olusola, describing him as the best person to fly the party’s flag among the contenders for the plum seat.

    Addressing his supporters in Ado-Ekiti, Bejide described himself as a  major contender  vowing  to clinch the ticket, despite Olusola’s endorsement by the governor.

    The PDP chieftain said he was neither rattled nor disturbed by Fayose’s conduct since the constitution was unambiguous on how a primary should be conducted, saying the constitutional infraction leading to Olusola’s imposition won’t stand.

    He said: “I have since met with our party leaders pointing them to some possible effects of the illegality committed by the self-acclaimed stakeholders.

    “Firstly, such action negates the constitution of our party and thus misrepresents the PDP Ideology.”

    On whether he would be participating in the primary,  Bejide said: “Check your records, I am the most consistent and outstanding personality among all the contestants in Ekiti,  because I am experienced.

    “I joined other leaders, few of who are still politically active, to build the PDP haven served as the Pioneer Secretary of the party in Ekiti state in 1998. You may wish to ask others if they are unaware of that.

    “I made bold to say that, in the forthcoming primary, the result will shock many people because I will convincingly defeat Fayose, his boy and cronies,” he boasted.

  • Ekiti poll: PDP and politics of endorsement

    Ekiti poll: PDP and politics of endorsement

    The crisis in the Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened, following the endorsement of Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola as governorship candidate for next year’s election by Governor Ayo Fayose and his supporters. Other aspirants are spoiling for a showdown with the governor, ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    The endorsement of Ekiti State of the Deputy governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, as “the sole candidate” by governor Ayo Fayose and loyalists has stirred up controversy in the Peoples Democratic Part (PDP).

    Fayose’s decision to settle for his deputy sparked an outrage in a section of the party. Some chieftains believe that it was a ploy to shut down other aspirants.

    There was drama on Wednesday, September 6 when Fayose gathered his caucus in the Government House, Ado-Ekiti. The camp include factional party state executive, local government chairmen and councillors, House of Assembly members, commissioners, special advisers, chairmen and members of commissions, boards and parastatals.

    The agenda for the day was the adoption of the governorship candidate and training of party members ahead of next year governorship poll.

    Two days earlier, Fayose had told some aspirants and party leaders from Ikole, Ise/Orun and Ijero Local Government Areas that he was waiting on God to direct him on the choice of a successor.

    The governor revealed that he had invited aspirants including Olusola, former Commissioner for Works, Mr. Kayode Oso and former Wema Bank Group Managing Director, Mr. Adebisi Omoyeni “into the room” to allow him seek the face of God on his successor.

    Other PDP governorship aspirants are former Deputy Governor and Board Member of Odu’a Investment Dr. Sikiru Lawal; Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Biodun Olujimi; PDP National Publiciy Secretary Prince Dayo Adeyeye; former Nigeria High Commissioner for Canada Ambassador Dare Bejide and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Owoseni Ajayi.

    The governor, for the first time at a public forum, confirmed that he was considering Oso, who has been going around as the “anointed candidate” as his successor, but had to be calling aspirants “inside the room” to allow him seek God’s face.

    Fayose said: “If I were asked to pick a candidate to succeed me, I would have picked Kayode Oso straight off. But I have called him into the room and told him to allow me seek God’s consent concerning it.

    “I have called my deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola. I have also called Bisi Omoyeni into the room and asked him to allow me seek God’s consent. Whoever God chooses, we will support among the aspirants. Whoever that is not the one, the spirit of sportsmanship should be embraced.

    “I have nothing against Prince Adedayo Adeyeye. I have great respect for him, from ministerial appointment to chairmanship (of the Governing Council) at Ekiti State University and then his recommendation to the party at the national  level.

    “I have always stood by him, I wouldn’t have done that for someone I don’t love, so mischief makers had better looked elsewhere to play their game.”

    “I want to assure you that entire nobody will impose anybody on you. With me here, you will all get justice.” But less than forty eight hours after claiming that he was waiting on God for the choice of a successor, Fayose invited the “stakeholders to a training ahead of the election” only to bring out a communique for them to sign endorsing Olusola.

    The stakeholders included 177 councillors, 177 ward chairmen, 16 local government party chairmen, 16 local council chairmen, Chairmen and members of Boards and  Parastatals.

    Others who attended the meeting inlcuded State Executive Council, Ekiti State House of Assembly members, serving and former members of the PDP State Working Committee, former Deputy Governor, among others.

    The communique at the end of the meeting reads: “After due consultation, without prejudice to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), we formally endorse His Excellency, Prof Kolapo Olusola (the current deputy governor), from Ekiti South Senatorial District, as our preferred aspirant/candidate.”

    Those who signed the communique are; Hon Anifowose Mustapha, for Councillors, Alhaji Amuda Sunmonu, for Ward Chairmen; Hon Femi Bamisile, for Local Government Party Chairmen; Hon Dapo Olagunju, for Local Government Chairmen (ALGON); Senator Bode Ola, for Chairmen of Board and Parastatals; Dr Modupe Alade (Secretary to the State Government), for State Executive Council; Hon. Kolawole Oluwawole, Speaker of the State House of Assembly and the PDP Chairman, Chief Gboyega Oguntuase.

    Oguntuase said the party organs will abide by the decision taken by the stakeholders in the interest of the party and the entire people of Ekiti State.

    He however, said that the adoption will not preclude any member of the party that is interested in the governorship ticket from contesting, adding that open and transparent primary will be held in accordance with the rules of the party.

    The Chairman of Forum of Ward Chairmen, Alhaji Amuda Sunmonu, also hailed the decision to adopt Olusola, maintaining that “wherever Governor Fayose goes, we will follow him.”

    Mustapha said the 177 councillors were solidly behind the governor and “the decision of the party’s stakeholders remained binding on all of us.”

    Dr Alade described Olusola as “a competent and loyal member of theFayose political family,” adding that his adoption was a reward for loyalty, dedication and commitment.

    But, other aspirants have been kicking against the adoption of Olusola, which they described as “undemocratic, illegal and unconstitutional.” The aspirants who have spoken against the inclusion are Bejide, Ajayi and Adeyeye.

    Bejide, who maintained that nobody can impose a candidate on the party, expressed optimism that he would win the party’s ticket. Ajayi, the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, said  party’s delegates will vote at the primary that would determine the flag bearer.

    Adeyeye said Fayose and his caucus violated the PDP constitution and the Electoral Act, adding that a charade and an attempt to impose a stooge on the party and the electorate.

    Bejide said: “Any caucus of the party can adopt any candidate, whether the choice of Olusola by his caucus has Fayose’s backing hold no water as no one can impose a candidate on the party.

    “This would not stop me from emerging the party’s governorship flagbearer for the poll in March, 2018.”

    Ajayi said: “The decision to conduct primaries and determine who gets the party’s ticket belongs to the National Committee of the PDP.”

    “The emergence of Olusola would not affect my decision to run for the ticket of our great party, and other aspirants from Ekiti South to get the party’s ticket.”

    The former Minister of State for Works said the adoption of the deputy governor contravened Section 50 (1), Section 50 (2) and Section 50 (2b) of the PDP constitution as amended in 2012.

    In a statement by the Director of Media, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement (PAAM), Mr. Niyi Ojo, the aspirant implored party members and the general public to ignore what he called “the purported adoption of Olusola as a sole candidate.”

    It reads: “The attention of PAAM has been drawn to the charade that took place at the Government House this afternoon by some political appointees, councillors and few House of Assembly members allegedly adopting Prof. Olusola as their consensus/sole candidate for 2018 gubernatorial election is a clear breach of the party constitution and the Electoral Act.

    “The body is unknown to the PDP constitution; it is important to note that PDP is bigger and larger than an individual so the rules and regulations of the party are sacrosanct in the election of any candidate for elective position.

    “PAAM believes in credible, transparent, free and fair primary for all aspirants for the position of governorship come 2018. PAAM rejects the purported adoption of a sole candidate in its entirety as there are many other aspirants for the governorship race in 2018.

    “This gathering was organised and supervised by Governor Fayose to impose a stooge as the sole candidate for PDP in Ekiti State. We implore members of the public and our teeming supporters to disregard the purported adoption of Prof Olusola as a sole candidate.”

    Adeyeye has since resigned his appointment as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti. He has been replaced by Lagos lawyer and former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Pastor Dele Adesina (SAN).

    The adoption of Olusola, which has been described in some quarters as “pre-emptive and hasty,” has aroused many questions begging for answers.

    Concerned party members are wondering why Fayose reneged on his promise made in the early days of his administration that he and his deputy would leave office together at the end of their tenure.

    They are also asking questions on why critical decisions affecting the party are either taken at Fayose’s private residence in hjis hometown, Afao-Ekiti or the Ado-Ekiti Government House rather than the party secretariat.

    Some schools of thought have sprung up holding various theories on what the adoption of Olusola portends for the future of the party and its chances of winning the 2018 governorship poll.

    A school of thought believes that Fayose has made a final choice on who he wants as a successor as he sees in Olusola a loyal deputy, who would be entrusted with the continuation of his legacies.

    The governor had spoken glowingly of Olusola at various public fora describing him as “my man.” Fayose had entrusted Olusola with the education sector and representation at National Economic Council (NEC) meetings in Abuja.

    A second school of thought is of the opinion that Olusola may not be the PDP candidate at next year’s poll, but a pawn on Fayose’s political chessboard to test the waters and feel the pulse of the people before coming out with “the real candidate” few weeks before the primary.

    Factional PDP chairman, Chief Williams Ajayi, whose affirmation by the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti’s being challenged by the Oguntuase-led executive at the Court of Appeal, Ado-Ekiti Division, said the latest action of Fayose has shown his true colour and character.

    Ajayi said: “What Fayose has done has revealed the character of a man trying to destroy the legacy of a party he benefited from. You will recall that in the run-up to the 2014 PDP governorship primary, Fayose was the one advocating the conduct of primary as against consensus option.

    “In the course of the controversy, the party secretariat was attacked by hoodlums sent to decimate party leaders advocating consensus and you will recall that it took some time before the crisis was resolved following the intervention of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “Can you imagine that the same man who benefited from the conduct of a free and fair primary is the same person imposing a candidate now and this is one of the reasons why we disagreed with Fayose on principle.

    “We have won the first victory at the Federal High Court which declared the fayose-backed exco as illegal and they are challenging our victory at the Court of Appeal and the case comes up in October.

    “The purported adoption of the deputy governor is a volation of internal democracy and an indication that some power-drunk individuals are bent on continuing the culture of lawlessness, impunity and imposition of candidates which was one of the triggers of the long-drawn crisis in the party.”

    The PDP in Ekiti is having many crisis on its hands at a time it needs internal cohesion to face the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the  election.

    The House of Assembly is on the tenterhooks over alleged disloyalty of some legislators linked with Mrs. Olujimi while former State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Commissioner and former factional Speaker, Hon. Dele Olugbemi, was removed for his closeness to Adeyeye.

    Two of three senators in the state: Senator Olujimi (Ekiti South) and Senator Fatimat Raji Rasaki (Ekiti Central) and two of three House of Representatives members: Hon. Ayo Oladimeji (Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 1) and Hon. Olamide Oni (Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2) have fallen out with Fayose.

    The next few months will be interesting as aspirants shut out of the governorship race and their supporters will fight back, either by staying back and “fighting from within” or moving to other parties to realise their ambition.

    Olusola is savouring his adoption. But, is he a popular candidate in his party and is he marketable to the electorate? Will the main opposition party, the APC, profit from the raging storm in the PDP? Fayose has taken the decision, but, the battle for the soul of the PDP will be fought into the election and it remains to be seen whether he party will survive the “war of attrition.”

  • Adoption of Fayose’s deputy a charade – Adeyeye

    Adoption of Fayose’s deputy a charade – Adeyeye

    The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, on Wednesday described the choice of Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, as the party’s candidate for the 2018 governorship election as a “charade and attempt to impose a stooge.”

    Adeyeye said adoption of Olusola by a section of the party as “the sole candidate” for next year’s poll was “a clear breach of the PDP constitution and the Electoral Act.”

    He said it was wrong for Governor Ayo Fayose’s appointees and few House of Assembly members to deny delegates opportunity to elect a candidate.

    The former Minister of State for Works said the adoption of the deputy governor contravened Section 50 (1), Section 50 (2) and Section 50 (2b) of the PDP constitution as amended in 2012.

    In a statement signed on his behalf by the Director of Media, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement (PAAM), Mr. Niyi Ojo, the governorship aspirant implored party members and the general public to ignore what he called “the purported adoption of Olusola as a sole candidate.”

    It reads: “The attention of PAAM has been drawn to the charade that took place at the Government House this afternoon by some political appointees, councillors and few House of Assembly members allegedly adopting Prof. Olusola as their consensus/sole candidate for 2018 gubernatorial election. This is a clear breach of the party constitution and the Electoral Act.

    “The body is unknown to the PDP constitution; it is important to note that PDP is bigger and larger than an individual so the rules and regulations of the party are sacrosanct in the election of any candidate for elective position.

    “PAAM believes in credible, transparent, free and fair primary for all aspirants for the position of governorship come 2018. PAAM rejects the purported adoption of a sole candidate in its entirety as there are many other aspirants for the governorship race in 2018.

    “This gathering was organised and supervised by Governor Fayose to impose a stooge as the sole candidate for PDP in Ekiti State. We implore members of the public and our teeming supporters to disregard the purported adoption of Prof. Olusola as a sole candidate.”

  • Ekiti poll: Aspirants reject Fayose’s deputy as PDP flag bearer

    Ekiti poll: Aspirants reject Fayose’s deputy as PDP flag bearer

    Two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants in Ekiti State, Chief Dare Bejide and Mr. Owoseni Ajayi, has rejected the adoption of Prof. Kolapo Olusola as the party’s “sole candidate” by Governor Ayo Fayose and his loyalists.

    Fayose had at a event in the state capital picked his deputy as the PDP “consensus” candidate for next year’s governorship election in Ekiti.

    The aspirants said Olusola’s adoption won’t pose any threat to their participation in the party’s governorship primary slated for first quarter of next year.

    Bejide, a former Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada, expressed optimism that he would win the party’s governorship ticket.

    According to him, nobody can impose a candidate on the party.

    Ajayi, the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, said the party’s delegates at the primary would determine the flag bearer.

    Bejide said: “Any caucus of the party can adopt any candidate. Whether the choice of Olusola by his caucus has Fayose’s backing hold no water as no one can impose a candidate on the party.

    “This would not stop me from emerging the party’s governorship flagbearer in March 2018.”

    Ajayi added: “The decision to conduct primary and determine who gets the party’s ticket belongs to the National Committee of the PDP.

    “The emergence of Olusola would not affect my decision to run for the ticket of our great party.”