Ekiti 2018: Fayose’s deputy emerges PDP governorship candidate

Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, has emerged
as the consensus candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in the
2018 governorship election.

Olusola emerged from the list of strong contenders for the
governorship ticket as the “most preferred candidate” at a meeting
held on Wednesday by party bigwigs in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State
capital.

The meeting was attended by serving and former members of the
PDP State Working Committee, members of the Ekiti State House of
Assembly, chieftains of the party at the 16 local governments and
177 wards, as well as chairmen and members of Boards and
Parastatals, among others.

Olusola, an indigene of Ikere Ekiti, which is the second largest
town in Ekiti, was adopted before the commencement of a retreat
organised for members to sensitise them ahead of the 2018
election.

The adoption of the deputy governor, who is a Professor of
Building Technology from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,
Osun State, was the major decision reached at the party’s
stakeholders’ meeting.

The communique issued at the end of the meeting read, “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 Anifowose Mustapha for
councillors; Alhaji Amuda Sunmonu for Ward chairmen; Mr. Femi
Bamisile for Local Government Party Chairmen; Dapo Olagunju for
Association of Local Government Chairmen; Senator Bode Ola for
Chairmen of Boards and Parastatals; Dr. Modupe Alade (Secretary to
the State Government) for State Executive Council; Speaker Kolawole
Oluwawole for EKHA and the State Chairman of the party, Chief
Gboyega Oguntuase.

Speaking with journalists after the adoption, Oguntuase said the
party organs would abide by the decision taken by the stakeholders
in the overall interest of the party and the entire people of Ekiti
State.

He, however, said the adoption would not preclude any member of
the party who is interested in the governorship ticket from
contesting.

He added that open and transparent primary election would be
held in accordance with the rules of the party.

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.”

Also speaking on behalf of councillors, Mustapha said all the
177 councillors in the state were solidly behind the governor and
that “the decision of the party’s stakeholders remained binding on
all of us.”

The SSG described the deputy governor as a competent and loyal
member of Governor Ayodele Fayose’s political family, adding that
his adoption was a reward for loyalty, dedication and
commitment.

Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, has emerged
as the consensus candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in the
2018 governorship election.

Olusola emerged from the list of strong contenders for the
governorship ticket as the “most preferred candidate” at a meeting
held on Wednesday by party bigwigs in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State
capital.

The meeting was attended by serving and former members of the
PDP State Working Committee, members of the Ekiti State House of
Assembly, chieftains of the party at the 16 local governments and
177 wards, as well as chairmen and members of Boards and
Parastatals, among others.

Olusola, an indigene of Ikere Ekiti, which is the second largest
town in Ekiti, was adopted before the commencement of a retreat
organised for members to sensitise them ahead of the 2018
election.

The adoption of the deputy governor, who is a Professor of
Building Technology from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,
Osun State, was the major decision reached at the party’s
stakeholders’ meeting.

The communique issued at the end of the meeting read, “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 Anifowose Mustapha for
councillors; Alhaji Amuda Sunmonu for Ward chairmen; Mr. Femi
Bamisile for Local Government Party Chairmen; Dapo Olagunju for
Association of Local Government Chairmen; Senator Bode Ola for
Chairmen of Boards and Parastatals; Dr. Modupe Alade (Secretary to
the State Government) for State Executive Council; Speaker Kolawole
Oluwawole for EKHA and the State Chairman of the party, Chief
Gboyega Oguntuase.

Speaking with journalists after the adoption, Oguntuase said the
party organs would abide by the decision taken by the stakeholders
in the overall interest of the party and the entire people of Ekiti
State.

He, however, said the adoption would not preclude any member of
the party who is interested in the governorship ticket from
contesting.

He added that open and transparent primary election would be
held in accordance with the rules of the party.

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.”

Also speaking on behalf of councillors, Mustapha said all the
177 councillors in the state were solidly behind the governor and
that “the decision of the party’s stakeholders remained binding on
all of us.”

The SSG described the deputy governor as a competent and loyal
member of Governor Ayodele Fayose’s political family, adding that
his adoption was a reward for loyalty, dedication and
commitment.