
AYODELE ADEGBUYI reports that as the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti draws near, many known and unknown political gladiators have joined the fray. The Southern zone of the state has more aspirants because the zone has never produced a Governor of the state.
Although the Governor of the state, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has not openly endorsed any candidate from any zone, however, the Governor who is from the central senatorial district is believed to have sympathy towards the South.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, the Central senatorial zone has produced Governor Fayose and Otunba Niyi Adebayo and they have ruled for 12 years. The north has spent eight years while the south has never tasted it, except in acting capacity when Fayose was impeached.
The first Civilian Governor of the State, 1999-2003: Otunba Niyi Adebayo, from Iyin-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area is from the Ekiti Central Senatorial district. His successor, Mr Ayo Fayose, who hails from Afao-Ekiti, but share the same local government with Adebayo. Governor Fayose governed the state between 2003 and 2006, and returned to the saddle in 2014.
From the Northern Senatorial District came Segun Oni, a native of Ifaki-Ekiti, he presided over the affairs of the state between 2007 and 2010, his tenure was dogged with legal tussle which eventually unseat him and returned Dr Kayode Fayemi, a native of Ishan-Ekiti as the duly elected Governor of the state. He spent four years on the saddle as the governor from 2010-2014.
Although the lists of aspirants kept increasing, as at the time of writing this report, no fewer than 38 aspirants are currently jostling for the governorship tickets of the APC. It is instructive to note that out of the 38 currently jostling for the APC ticket, 20 of them are from Ekiti South Senatorial district.
Prominent among the aspirants are the former Governor of the state and the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Eng. Segun Oni-North, Senator Ayo Arise-North, former Commissioner, Funminiyi Afuye-South, three members of the Seventh House of Representatives, Congressman Bimbo Daramola-North, and Hon Bamidele Faparusi-South, Opeyemi Bamidele-Central and Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu-Central.
Others are an Australian based Medical Doctor and renown entrepreneur, Dr Wole Oluyede-South, Senator Gbenga Aluko-South, Hon. Olufemi Bamisile - Ekiti South, Dr. Adebayo Orire - Ekiti Central, to mention just a few.
While the numbers of those in the PDP are still sketchy, due to the fear of the Governor who control the party and dictate the pace of things. However those that have openly declared their intentions are, the former Deputy Governor in Segun Oni’s administration, Dr Sikiru Lawal, Fayose’s Deputy Kolapo Olusola and Senator Biodun Olujimi.
Those in PDP believe that Gov fayose who is regarded as a practical politician would, to a large extent, produce his successor. To this end many intending aspirants are trying to curry his favour so that they could be his anointed candidate.
Unsure of who to pick, sources said that the Governor has been toying with different names of his lieutenants from the south as a possible successor. Prominent among them is Senator Abioudun Olujimi, for which many in the state believed was the reason Fayose held an elaborate Ekiti State chapter of the International Women Day across the state, to win the strategic support of the women for her.
Another prominent person that political observers believe could be favoured by the Governor is his deputy, Dr kolapo Olusola, an Ikere-Ekiti born associate professor from the University of Ife from the Southern Senatorial District. Fayose has been pouring accolades on Kolapo whom he has described as a loyal Deputy.
The Deputy Governor appeared to have won the confidence of his principal. In every fora, Fayose will spend time to praise his deputy. However, whether he is looking at his direction as his successor remain to be seen.
As for the APC, it is common knowledge that the party has been battling with how to unite the divergent and seriously entrenched political interests within its fold. For instance, the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, the APC Deputy National Chairman, Chief Segun Oni, the Special Adviser on Political matters to the President, Mr Babafemi Ojudu, former member of the House of Representative and Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, seem to have irreconcilable differences that could affect the fortunes of the party in the coming poll.
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