PDP Needs A Formidable Candidate To Win 2018 Election In Ekiti – Omoyeni
By TUNDE BADMUS
A former Group Managing Director of Wema Bank and chieftain of PDP in
Ekiti State, Mr. Bisi Omoyeni has reacted to the “purported
endorsement” of Prof. Kolapo Eleka by a group of people as the sole
candidate of PDP in the 2018 governorship election.
Addressing a marmot crowd of party faithful who trooped out in large
numbers to catch a glimpse at the man referred to as “Omo Ayiye” by
the Ikere people as he made a triumphant entry to Ikere yesterday in
furtherance of his ambition to become the next governor of Ekiti State
come October 2018.
In a press statement issued over the weekend by Yemi Akinbode, the
Director of Media & Publicity Bisi Omoyeni Campaign Organisation, the
PDP Governorship aspirant said I have received the reports of
endorsement of a sole candidate with disbelief, saying it defile all
logic to adopt a candidate ahead of the primary of the PDP in Ekiti
State. In a race where there are over 8 aspirants, how can we have a
sole candidate without the consent of others?
In his words, “it has become necessary at this moment in regards to
the current development in our party, the PDP ahead of the 2018
gubernatorial election in Ekiti state, to reassure my teeming
supporters, friends, party stalwarts and well wishers that ‘am still
in the race for the exalted seat which will become vacant at the
expiration of administration of the incumbent Governor, Dr Ayodele
Fayose”.
According to him, it is no longer news that the good of Ekiti are
clamouring for a good, credible and experienced candidate who can
pilot the affairs of Ekiti without any fear or favour. A candidate who
will be fair and good to all. That is what Ekiti people want for now.
We are ready to provide the kind of leadership that will rebuild and
reposition Ekiti state for greater heights.
”I want to state clearly, that we have come to reassure our people
that we are ready to fill in the gap and ensure the progress and
development that all Ekitis home and in the Diaspora longed for”.
It is very clear that the purported endorsement defiles all logic and
also negates the principle of internal democracy. Moreso, is the fact
that the purported candidate cannot win a secret ballot in a free and
fair election. It is obvious that the party leadership are not happy
about this, even though some may not be willing to express their
displeasure about this decision.
Omoyeni further charged the party stakeholders to remain loyal to the
leadership of the PDP in Ekiti, especially our Governor, Dr. Ayodele
Fayose.
According to him, “What is happening here today is the determination
of our people, Ikere in particular and Ekiti in general to persuade
and convince our leader to allow us have a level plain ground for the
2018 governorship primary. In the past two weeks I have held wide
discussions and conversations with a cross section of our party
leaders and stakeholders, and it is very clear that what they want is
a transparent and credible primary. So we are appealing to our
Governor to allow the wish of the people to prevail, as that is the
only way that PDP can win the upcoming 2018 governorship Election”.
He said, “We shall soon commence full scale mobilization and
sensitization of party members, especially delegates to the party
primary with a view to selling our 7-point development agenda to them.
Our party cannot afford to impose any candidate on Ekiti people at
this crucial time. We would engage all the party faithful,
stakeholders, leaders and the general public in a manner that will
guarantee the emergence of the standard flag bearer of the party in a
transparent, free and fair party primary.
Omoyeni also reassured the leadership of the party at both state and
national level of his unflinching loyalty and support if a formidable
candidate is presented. “It is very important to note that, at this
point in time we cannot afford to derail as a party and we should be
mindful of every issue that can cause disharmony and crisis within the
party” he said.
The people led by Hon. Sesan Owoeye, former Ikere Local Government
Chairman took the Bisi Omoyeni political train in their hundreds
through Oke Osun, Ogbonjana, Oke Ikere, Atiba and Okeruku, chanted
various solidarity songs in support of the PDP aspirant. The
procession of the people in motorcade and okada riders which started
at about 9:00 am from the Iju border end, created huge traffic
gridlock as people scrambled to be part of the procession.
