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Tag: Olujimi

  • Olujimi mocks Fayose, Eleka over Supreme court verdict

    Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi, has lashed out at immediate governor of the Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose and the PDP Governorship candidate in the last gubernatorial election, Prof. Olusola Eleka after the Supreme Court judgment.

    The Apex Court had upheld the election of Governor Kayode Fayemi in a unanimous judgment by a five-man panel, declaring the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last governorship election in Ekiti, Kolapo Olusola Eleka as frivolous and lacking in merit.

    Olujimi alleged Fayose of destroying the chances of the party with his selfish agenda to ruling by proxy with his puppet fielded as the party’s candidate.

    She said Fayose’s high handedness in muzzling the party to pursue selfish interest forced many of its strong members who could have swayed votes for the party in the election.

    The lawmaker urged the duo to cover their faces in fame for sacrificing the people’s party for their unrealistic selfish interest.

    According to a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Chief Sanya Atofarati, “We told them but they wouldn’t listen. How do you expect Fayose’s stooge who is not even conversant with politics to win at the polls not to talk of the Supreme Court.

    “He(Fayose) destroyed the party by fielding unsellable and unpopular candidate.”

     

  • Battle for Senate: Saraki, Sani, Olujimi, others fall

    Adeola, Osinowo triumph in Lagos  Kalu, Boroffice, Bamidele, Bashiru, Adetunmbi win

    Some giants have fallen in the fierce battle for the Senate – going by results announced by the electoral umpire.

    Dr. Bukola Saraki lost his bid to return to the Senate for the third time – and his hitherto firm grip on Kwara State politics.

    Saraki, who stormed Kwara politics in 2003 by riding on his father’s profile, lost to another medical doctor, Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe.

    Oloriegbe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 123, 828 to beat Saraki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 68, 994.

    The loss is a major setback for the Saraki dynasty in 43 years since the patriarch of the family, the late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, a former Senate Leader, dominated Kwara politics.

    The dynasty has installed six governors since 1979, hundreds of lawmakers at the national and state levels, councillors and chairmen of local government areas.

    According to the results released by INEC, Saraki was defeated in all the four local government areas in the district.

    The breakdown is as follows: Asa: APC (15,932), PDP (11,252); Ilorin East: APC (30,014), PDP(14,654); Ilorin South: APC (26,331), PDP(13,013) and Ilorin West: APC (51,531), PDP (30,075).

    Apart from the Senate President, others who will not return to the Upper chamber are the Senate Minority Leader, Mrs. Abiodun Olujimi (Ekiti South) and Senator Rafiu Ibrahim (PDP, Kwara South). Senators Olujimi and Ibrahim were beaten by Prince Dayo Adeyeye and Lola Ashiru (both of the APC).

    But electoral fortunes smiled on some leaders, who won senatorial tickets, including ex-Governor Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North); Prof. Ajayi Borrofice (Ondo North); Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) and Senator Olubunmi Ayodeji Adetumbi (APC, Ekiti North), who dislodged Senator Duro Faseyi.

    Kalu polled 30,580 votes to defeat the incumbent PDP Senator, Mao Ohuabunwa, who recorded 21, 940 votes.

    In a landmark electoral contest for the first time in his political career, Adeyeye polled 77, 621 to trounce Mrs. Olujimi, who got 53,741 votes for Ekiti South District slot.

    Adetumbi defeated Faseyi of PDP by 60,689 to 49, 209.

    Opeyemi, a former House of Representatives member,  won the Ekiti Central Senatorial District for APC with 94,279 votes as against the PDP’s Adewale Obafemi, who scored 48,707.

    Ashiru garnered 89,704 votes to defeat Senator Ibrahim. Who got 45,176 votes.

    Shehu Sani (Kaduna South), who was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defected and contested on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). He lost to Uba Sani of the APC.

    In Ondo State, Boroffice polled 53, 199 to beat his challenger for the North Senatorial District, Dr. Tunji Abayomi of the Action Alliance (AA).

    Former Governor Olusegun Mimiko may not realise his ambition to represent the Ondo Central at the Red Chamber on the platform of his Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), it was learnt.

    Besides delivering his Bende Local Government Area to President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC, Kalu defeated Ohuabunwa.

    The returning officer for the senatorial election, Dr. Charles Anumodu, declared Kalu winner, with 31,203 votes. Ohuabunwa polled 20,801 and the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief David Ogba, scored 11,410.

    Ohuabunwa, however, rejected the result of the election in a statement issued by his campaign organisation, signed by Mr. Ukpai Ukairo.

    The incumbent said the results were still being collated.

    The statement reads: “It has come to our knowledge that INEC operatives in their haste to arrive at a pre-determined conclusion manipulated the electoral process to the shock of all well-meaning patriots who believe in democracy.

    “In this respect, it is tragic that INEC could conduct an election without the issuance of form EC40G, a form used to capture cancelled votes and places where there was no voting.

    “In the circumstances of the above, we demand that the Resident Electoral Commissioner in  Abia State should direct the Returning Officer of the Abia North Senatorial Election to make the requisite declaration in accordance with the dictates of Rule 17E(e) of the guidelines for the conduct of elections issued by INEC by cancelling the elections completely.”

    In Osun State, APC’s Ajibola Bashiru was declared winner of the Osun Central Senatorial District with 132,821votes. He  defeated Ganiyu Ola-Oluwa of the PDP, who scored 106,779.

    Lere Oriolowo (APC, Osun West) defeated Lere Oyewuni of the PDP to clinch the Osun West Senatorial ticket.

    In Lagos West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC) beat Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivor of the PDP.

    The result for the Lagos Central Senatorial District was still being awaited last night.

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu is APC’s candidate for the zone.

    The APC candidate for the Lagos East Senatorial Zone, Bayo Osinowo beat Abiodun Oyefusi of the PDP.

    In Edo State, Senator Francis Alimikhena (APC, Edo North) won with 1, 176 to retain his seat.

    In Imo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha looked good to represent Imo West Senatorial Zone as he was reported to have won eight out of the nine local government areas making up the senatorial zone.

    Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC, Sokoto North) was set for victory. He was leading five of the eight local government areas making up the district as of the time of filing this report.

    In Akwa Ibom, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) suspended the announcement of the results in Senator Godswill Akpabio’s North West Senatorial District.

    It was over a controversy surrounding the result submitted from Akpabio’s Local Government Area, Essien Udim.

    The PDP senatorial candidate in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was leading in three of the six Area Councils in Abuja.

    He was being closely trailed by the APC candidate The senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has won in three of the six Area Councils in the territory.

    This was revealed in separate presentations of results by Collation Officers to the Returning Officer, Prof. Sani Saka on Sunday in Abuja.

    In Abaji Area Council, Aduda got 11,290 votes to beat his closest rival and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr Jisalo Zephania who got 11,276 votes.

    In Kwali Area Council, the PDP candidate got 17,642 to beat the APC candidate who got 14,899 votes.

    Also, in Gwagwalada Area Council, Aduda of the PDP got 29,567 to beat Zephaniah of the APC who got 22,318 votes.

    At the time of filing this report, results were still been expected from Abuja Municipal, Bwari and Kuje Area Councils.

    This was revealed in separate presentations of results by Collation Officers to the Returning Officer, Prof. Sani Saka on Sunday in Abuja.

    In Abaji Area Council, Aduda got 11,290 votes to lead his closest rival and APC candidate, Zephania, who got 11,276 votes.

    In Kwali Area Council, the PDP candidate got 17,642 to beat the APC candidate who got 14,899 votes.

    Also, in Gwagwalada Area Council, Aduda of the PDP got 29,567 to beat Zephaniah of the APC who got 22,318 votes.

    At the time of filing this report, results were still been expected from Abuja Municipal, Bwari and Kuje Area Councils.

     

  • Restructuring: Kolade chairs VOR roundtable

    In a bid to further consolidate on the demand for restructuring of Nigeria’s Political, economic and political structures, a renowned Yoruba Interest group, Voice of Reason (VOR) will on Wednesday January 30th 2019 host all the candidates of major political parties in South West, Nigeria to a roundtable meeting at Oranmiyan Hall, Airport Hotel, Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos.
    In a statement made available to News Men on Wednesday in Lagos, the Chairman of the group, Dr Olufemi Adegoke said the roundtable, with the theme: ‘Imperatives of Restructuring For National Unity, Development and Security’ will be chaired by a former Nigerian High Commissioner to United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, CON.
    On the aims and objectives of the roundtable, Adegoke said the town hall meeting is being convened to sensitise all aspiring candidates for elections to the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government in South West on why the restructuring of Nigeria’s Political, Economic and Social Structures is key to the progress of Yoruba Land.
    “We want to lobby all aspiring candidates for election to the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government in South West for their support to back the restructuring of Nigeria for the sake of the future of Yoruba Land and the survival of Nigeria and to also find out from the candidates on how they plan to get this constitutional request actualized if elected in 2019.
    “Most importantly, we want to foster Unity, Harmony and Cohesion among Aspiring Candidates in South West so that Yoruba Land can speak with one voice on Restructuring”
    The statement further said that the draft of the proposed constitution written by VOR for Nigeria will be introduced to all the candidates during the roundtable for a possible adoption when they get the insignia of power.
    According to the statement, invitation has been sent to all the Candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) across South West geo-political zone through their state party chairmen.
    “Governors who are running for Senatorial elections like that of Oyo and Ogun States, Senators Abiola Ajimobi and Ibikunle Amosun respectively and former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and the Governorship Candidates of APC, PDP and ADP in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu, Jimi Agbaje and Babatunde Gbadamosi respectively are expected to grace the event” the statement said.
    All candidates are expected to be seated at 9am.

  • Fayose, Olujimi inaugurate parallel campaign councils

    The crisis rocking the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worsened yesterday.

    Former Governor Ayodele Fayose and Senate Minority Leader Biodun Olujimi separately inaugurated parallel Atiku/Obi Campaign Council in the state.

    While Fayose’s inauguration took place at his former campaign office in Adebayo area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Olujimi’s inauguration took place at Ajilosun area and was attended by party leaders loyal to her.

    The former governor insisted that the gathering organised by Olujimi was an effort in futility and an action that lacked substance.

    He warned that he was not contesting for any elective position, saying he may mobilise the people to vote against those he described as ‘traitors’.

    “They need me more than I need them. We will ask our people to vote against these betrayers,” Fayose said.

    Read also: PDP jittery of losing elections, says minister

    He added: “The campaign council was carefully selected to cut across all shades of opinion in the state PDP. I’m wondering what the complaint was all about.”

    Fayose said there were rooms for others, including those aggrieved, to be part of the sub-committees that would be set up by the council.

    The chairman of the campaign council for both camps and former Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola, distanced himself from the Olujimi inauguration.

    He said the senator’s council was unconstitutional and illegal.

    “There is no alternative campaign council except this one. Any other campaign council where my name appears is illegal,” Olusola said.

    The state PDP Chairman Gboyega Oguntuase said the Fayose-led council was the legitimate and authentic body.

    He said: “This is the legal and legitimate gathering for the event; this is the centre of the leadership of the party in Ekiti State. Any other gathering is not only illegal but it is also provocative. But we shall not be provoked.

    “Wherever the party chairman is, that is the centre. Since the state party chairman is here, this is the only place that this inauguration remains valid.”

    Olujimi condemned Fayose’s council, saying it was a nullity.

    She said: “He was not a party to the selection of the campaign council. They have a right to continue with their assignment. What we said we don’t want is to say that they don’t matter.

    “Those appointed have started work; they have even written letters to the state government for the release of the stadium. They were supposed to have been inaugurated on January 3. Suddenly, everything changed and Fayose fiddled with the list.

    “Why we are here is that we are saying that we cannot shift the goalpost in the middle of the game. We are standing by the original list.”

  • Olujimi seeks dissolution of ‘lopsided’ Atiku campaign council

    Senate Minority Leader Biodun Olujimi has called for the immediate dissolution of the Abubakar Atiku’s campaign council in Ekiti State for its alleged lopsided composition.

    Mrs Olujimi, who petitioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Chief Uche Secondus, urged the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to dissolve and reconstitute the campaign council in Ekiti State.

    The senator told Secondus to compel former Governor Ayodele Fayose to adhere strictly to the resolution reached among stakeholders on how the council should be constituted at a meeting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on December 28.

    She noted that this would forestall cracks and crisis in the party, ahead of the forthcoming elections.

    Mrs Olujimi accused Fayose of hijacking the council and injecting his cronies in strategic positions with the portentous intention to side-line other members of the party from participating in mobilising for the PDP presidential candidate during the elections.

    In the petition, dated January 6, the PDP senator said only an immediate dissolution of the highly “lopsided” campaign council can avert unnecessary division in Ekiti State PDP.

    She warned that failure to accede to the request could be deleterious for the party’s chances in the state.

    Mrs Olujimi alluded to a publication in the newspapers wherein changes were made to members of Atiku/Obi Campaign Council for Ekiti State without notifying the stakeholders.

    The senator described the development as “demeaning and mischievous”.

    She added: “The original composition has Prof Olusola Kolapo as chairman; Otunba Yinka Akerele as Director General and Chief Sanya Atofarati as spokesperson/Director of Media, among others, while the position of a Secretary did not exist in the original composition by the national directorate.”

    But the composition has Prof Olusola as chairman; Chief Dipo Anisulowo as DG; Chief Gboyega Oguntuase as Secretary; Jackson Adebayo as spokesperson and Lere Olayinka as Director of Media and Publicity.

    Mrs Olujimi warned that the PDP might lose the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The petition reads: “It has become imperative to swiftly alert the National Campaign Council of our great party, the PDP, and the public to kindly disregard the misleading publication as to the actual composition of the campaign council. The purported publication is not only untrue but also contravenes the prescribed provisions of our party’s guidelines and directive.

    “It should be understood that this is another orchestrated plan of former Governor Ayo Fayose to convert the party’s resources and fortunes to his personal enterprise, as usual.

    “He did it during the last governorship election and our party paid dearly for it, in spite of my advice, warnings and outcry. Once beaten is twice shy.

    “The publication reportedly cited the cronies and stooges of Mr Ayo Fayose as Chairman, Secretary, Director General, Spokesperson, Director of Media and Publicity, among others.

    “This is most unacceptable, as Ekiti people and Nigerians cannot afford to lose this golden opportunity to change the APC-led maladministration at the national and state levels for one person’s self-centeredness.”

    Mrs Olujimi added that in the spirit of equity, justice, fairness and general acceptability in Ekiti PDP, majority demanded that “Mr Fayose should be mandated to comply immediately with the earlier resolution of the party by adhering to the earlier membership and composition of the Atiku/Obi Presidential Council, as previously agreed by the State Working Committee (SWC), led by the party’s Chairman Oguntuase, Senator Biodun Olujimi, Senator Duro Faseyi, Prof. Olubunmi Olusola and Federal lawmakers there present”.

    She added: “That if he (Fayose) fails to comply with the above, we shall be left with no other option than to take appropriate actions that will reflect the wish of the people, as agreed in the meeting of the campaign council at the PDP state secretariat and chaired by Prof. Olusola Kolapo, the Campaign Council Chairman, on 28 December.”

    According to her, the gestures and moves of Fayose are antithetical and negate the foundational principle of the party.

  • Olujimi gives succour to 2,000 people at New Year

    Senate Minority Leader Biodun Olujimi has presented various gifts to her constituents for the New Year.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Ekiti South distributed clothes, food items, such as rice, yam flour (poundo yam), garri, yam tubers, chicken, turkey, shoes, mobile phones and cash to over 2,000 people.

    The senator spoke at the New Year celebration with PDP leaders and members in the Ekiti South Senatorial District at her Omuo-Ekiti hometown.

    She said: “We will continue to pursue this welfare programme because we cannot stand the suffering of the people of this constituency.”

    She added that her cardinal philosophy was to affect the lives of less-privileged persons in her constituency through interventions that bring radical improvement to them.

    “The social welfare of my people is not an option but a child of necessity for there to be accelerated living conditions,” she said.

    One of the beneficiaries Mrs Ogunsanmi said the gesture affirmed the senator’s commitment help the less privileged and the vulnerable.

    “I salute the philanthropic gesture of the senator for considering the common man who may find it difficult to prepare sumptuous meals for their families during the festive period,” she said.

    Some PDP stalwarts in the state, including the party’s South Senatorial Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Bankole; House of Representatives member, Akin Awodumila and Director General of Atiku/Obi Campaign Council in Ekiti State, Yinka Akerele, attended the annual event.

    They hailed Olujimi for standing by her people and making their interests her priority.

  • Olujimi promises to attract investors

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has promised to attract investors, if she wins the July 14 poll.

    Olujimi said her administration will crete a conducive environment for local and foreign investors thrive.

    The senator spoke through the Director-General of her campaign organization, Chief Bunmi Olugbade, at a party function in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    Olujimi said investment by the private sector will create more jobs and boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    She said investors can seize the opportunities in agriculture, mining, education, commerce, industrialization, tourism and cottage industries.

    The aspirant said Ekiti has a comparative advantage in agriculture, especially in the production of rice, cassava and cocoa.

    Mrs. Olujimi promised to invest in the production of local rice to produced packaging and sale of local rice on a large commercial scale.

    She said investment in agriculture, mining and other sectors will create jobs for the teeming youths.

    The Senate Minority Whip noted that she has the requisite experience to occupy the governor’s seat urging the delegates and the electorate to entrust her with their votes.

    Olujimi said her experience as a former commissioner, House of Representatives member, deputy governor and a principal officer in the Senate had prepared her for the  job.

    She appealed to delegates to choose her as the PDP flag bearerduring the May 8 primary to turn around the fortunes of the state.

    She described the PDP as a better platform to make Ekiti greater and bring more dividends of democracy to the people.

  • Olujimi promises to attract investors

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has promised to attract investors, if she wins the July 14 poll.

    Olujimi said her administration will crete a conducive environment for local and foreign investors thrive.

    The senator spoke through the Director-General of her campaign organization, Chief Bunmi Olugbade, at a party function in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    Olujimi said investment by the private sector will create more jobs and boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    She said investors can seize the opportunities in agriculture, mining, education, commerce, industrialization, tourism and cottage industries.

    The aspirant said Ekiti has a comparative advantage in agriculture, especially in the production of rice, cassava and cocoa.

    Mrs. Olujimi promised to invest in the production of local rice to produced packaging and sale of local rice on a large commercial scale.

    She said investment in agriculture, mining and other sectors will create jobs for the teeming youths.

    The Senate Minority Whip noted that she has the requisite experience to occupy the governor’s seat urging the delegates and the electorate to entrust her with their votes.

    Olujimi said her experience as a former commissioner, House of Representatives member, deputy governor and a principal officer in the Senate had prepared her for the  job.

    She appealed to delegates to choose her as the PDP flag bearerduring the May 8 primary to turn around the fortunes of the state.

    She described the PDP as a better platform to make Ekiti greater and bring more dividends of democracy to the people.

  • Olusola, Adeyeye, Olujimi: Who gets PDP ticket?

    The stage is set for the May 8 governorship primary of the Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Three aspirants are expected to compete for the ticket. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA examines the contenders and their chances at the shadow poll.

    The state is set for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary in Ekiti State. The exercisae will hold on May 8. The governorship poll will hold on July 14.

    The number of contenders has been narrowed down to three, following the defection of some aspirants from the party. They defected to protest t Governor Ayo Fayose’s adoption of his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, as his preferred candidate.

    Before the September 6, 2017 adoption of Olusola by Fayose and his caucus in the Ekiti PDP, the party had seven aspirants.

    They were three former deputy governors, Chief Adebisi Omoyeni, Chief Abiodun Aluko and Dr. Sikiru Lawal; former Minister of State for Works Prince Dayo Adeyeye; former High Commissioner to Canada Ambassador Dare Bejide; Senate Deputy Minority Whip Abiodun Olujimi and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi.

    The ‘adoption crisis’ forced Aluko, Omoyeni, Bejide and Lawal out of the party. Aluko defected to the Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN). Omoyeni and Bejide moved to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) while Lawal joined the Labour Party (LP).

    Adeyeye, Olujimi and Ajayi stayed in the party.  But, Ajayi did not obtain the Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms.

    The implication is that the battle for the PDP ticket is now a straight fight between Adeyeye, Olujimi and Olusola, who had been screened to contest in the primary.

    The three gladiators are people of impeccable pedigrees. But, as they have their strengths, they also have some weaknesses.

    Adeyeye:

    Prince Clement Adedayo Adeyeye, the scion of the late Arinjale of Ise-Ekiti, Oba Adeyeye Agunsoye, has a rich political background, which dated back to the era of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the Second Republic. He started politics as a student in the University of Ibadan where he acquired bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Political Science before going to the University of Lagos to study Law. He was later called to the Bar.

    After many years of practice as a journalist and lawyer, Adeyeye, a disciple of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, became National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group. Adeyeye was a governorship aspirant in the Action Congress (AC) in  the 2007 governorship poll before he moved to the PDP, citing irregularities in the primary.

    He was appointed by former Governor Segun Oni as the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) where he won the best SUBEB boss in the Southwest. Other  positions held by Adeyeye included Minister of State for Works under former President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP Caretaker Committee National Publicity Secretary.

    Adeyeye is a grassroots politician whose structure, the  Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement (PAAM), is formidable. He sought for the PDP governorship ticket in the 2014 election.  Adeyeye is popular among PDP members and the crowd that attended his declaration attested to his status.

    But, Adeyeye has a mountain to climb to clinch the PDP ticket because he does not enjoy the support of Fayose, which is key in the contest.

    Olujimi:

    Senator Christine Abiodun Olujimi has a media background. He was a broadcaster with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) for many years before he entered politics.

    After leaving her media job, she has invested in some key sectors, including merchandise, property and hospitality.

    Olujimi’s political journey started with the defunct All Peoples Party (APP), where she served as the National Publicity Secretary between 2000 and 2003 before she defected to the PDP. She was elected into the House of Representatives in a by-election in 2003, following the assassination of his predecessor, Mr. Abiodun Talabi, along Abuja-Lokoja Road.

    Olujimi did not complete her tenure in the House of Representatives. She was appointed by Fayose as  deputy governor following  Omoyeni’s resignation. Omoyeni left the position  to resume as  Group Managing Director of Wema Bank Plc.

    Olujimi was impeached along Fayose by the House of Assembly on October 16, 2006 over alleged gross misconduct. She was locked in power struggle with the former Speaker, the late Chief Friday Aderemi, and Fayose, who was in hiding. Later, former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency and appointed Brig.-Gen. Adetunji Idowu Olurin (rtd) as Sole Administrator to end the confusion.

    Olujimi served as Commissioner for Works during the Segun Oni administration. She was appointed Member, Governing Council, University of Ilorin and Member of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC). She was elected senator on March 28, 2015 during the National Assembly elections to represent Ekiti South District. Olujimi is the Senate Deputy Minority Whip.

    The senator has experience as a party officer, commissioner, deputy governor and federal legislator.  She has a deep pocket to prosecute her governorship campaign. She has executed many projects and empowered people in her constituency, which is a plus for her ambition.

    But, Olujimi is believed to have declared her ambition very late. Many party members had committed themselves to other aspirants. Fayose is  working against Olujimi’s ambition with money, men, resources and connection. The list of delegates to vote at the primary is believed to have been skewed in favour of Olusola.

    Olusola

    Prof. Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola got into politics by accident. His father, Pa Olusola Eleka, was penciled down as the running mate to Fayose in the run-up to the 2014 governorship poll. But, fate decided otherwise.

    Fayose was on a visit to Pa Eleka when the octogenarian’s phone rang and the old man said: “how are you doctor?” At the end of the conversation, Fayose asked: “Who is that doctor?” The man replied that he was discussing with his son, who is a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. He pleaded with Fayose to make him the deputy governorship candidate instead of him, a request that was graciously granted.

    Olusola was sworn in as deputy governor on October 16, 2014. The governor declared publicly that he (Olusola) should stay away from politics as the two of them would leave the Government House together at the end of their tenure on October 15, 2014.

    The order of his principal made Olusola to stay away from politicking as he faced governance, policy formulation and execution. Olusola worked tirelessly in the education sector and he was credited with the success recorded in the National Examinations Council (NECO) School Certificate examination. In the examinations, Ekiti State came top in 2016 and 2017. Fayose who had been looking for a successor for about two years stunned the people of the state when he anointed Olusola as the man to take over from him in September 2017, barely a month after he became a Professor of Building Technology. Following his adoption, Olusola is in a vantage position to succed his boss. Fayose is ready to deploy his financial, material and political powers to his advantage. Except an upset happens, majority of the delegates are expected to vote for him at the primary because they are nominees of Fayose. The majority delegates are local government councilors, chairmen, House of Assembly members, commissioners, special advisers, National Assembly members, and party executives at ward, local government and state levels.

    But, Olusola is still regarded as a neophyte in politics, who is yet to learn the ropes. His cause is not also helped by many aggrieved party men who did not defect, but are are ready to subvert him during the poll. Even, if he wins, the prospect of managing a divided house looks daunting for him.

  • Olujimi laments defection of ex-deputy governor

    Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has expressed concern that the massive defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might affect its chances in the July 14 governorship poll. Olujimi said it was sad that three former deputy governors, Chief Abiodun Aluko, Chief Adebisi Omoyeni and Dr. Sikiru Lawal, had left the party in the last one year over alleged dictatorship and imposition by Governor Ayo Fayose.

    The lawmaker representing Ekiti South in the National Assembly said her ambition on the PDP platform was intact, urging the party’s delegates to entrust her with the governorship ticket. She spoke at a news conference in Ikere-Ekiti after giving account of her stewardship and inaugurated projects in many towns and communities in her senatorial district.

    The federal legislator said she was still very much in the race for the PDP governorship ticket, saying she would fight on to the end to realise her ambition of becoming the first female governor in the Fountain of Knowledge. “It is worrisome that we are losing our prominent members. But I am a fighter, I will fight on until the right things are done in the PDP. Our national leaders promised to be up and doing otherwise they will take the blame for standing with their hands akimbo while this crisis lasted; this is not good.”