Ikere should produce next governor, says Olanipekun SAN

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Wole Olanipekun
(SAN), has said it is the turn of his hometown, Ikere-Ekiti, to
produce the governor of Ekiti State.

Addressing reporters in the town, Chief Olanipekun advised the
two major political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and
the All Progressives Congress (APC), to field Ikere indigenes as
their candidates.

Governor Ayo Fayose has set the ball rolling to have an Ikere
indigene succeed him as he and his caucus in the PDP have adopted
the Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, as their preferred
candidate.

The last time an Ikere indigene had the opportunity of occupying
the highest seat was between January 1992 and November 1993 when
Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua was governor of old Ondo State.
Olanipekun served as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice
during the period.

Since Ekiti State was created in 1996, Ikere had not produced
the governor. But, it has produced three deputy governors in
persons of Chief Abiodun Aluko, Chief Adebisi Omoyeni and
Olusola.

Olanipekun hinged his argument on the fact that Ikere is the
biggest town in Ekiti South Senatorial District, a zone that has
not produced a governor since 1999.

He praised the Fayose-led PDP caucus for adopting Olusola, an
indigene of the town, as its “sole candidate,” urging the APC to
follow suit. According to him, Ikere parades eminent aspirants in
the party who can do the state proud.

Olanipekun said: “I know some politicians may not like my
position, but that is the truth, Ikere deserves it . As the
President of Ikere Development Forum (IDF), I have to lead the
course of Ikere people.

“IDF of which I am the President, we are trying to meet all of
them so that they have a consensus. We will be so lucky and thank
our stars if the two major parties pick Ikere sons as their flag
bearers.

“We can’t have it better if PDP picks Ikere indigene as its
candidate and if APC picks Ikere indigene too as candidate; head or
tail, it is Ikere.

“Let me tell you, I am not playing politics but I am being
realistic and as a leader of tis town; it is not a question of
whether you are supporting APC or whether you are supporting
PDP.”

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Wole Olanipekun
(SAN), has said it is the turn of his hometown, Ikere-Ekiti, to
produce the governor of Ekiti State.

Addressing reporters in the town, Chief Olanipekun advised the
two major political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and
the All Progressives Congress (APC), to field Ikere indigenes as
their candidates.

Governor Ayo Fayose has set the ball rolling to have an Ikere
indigene succeed him as he and his caucus in the PDP have adopted
the Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, as their preferred
candidate.

The last time an Ikere indigene had the opportunity of occupying
the highest seat was between January 1992 and November 1993 when
Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua was governor of old Ondo State.
Olanipekun served as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice
during the period.

Since Ekiti State was created in 1996, Ikere had not produced
the governor. But, it has produced three deputy governors in
persons of Chief Abiodun Aluko, Chief Adebisi Omoyeni and
Olusola.

Olanipekun hinged his argument on the fact that Ikere is the
biggest town in Ekiti South Senatorial District, a zone that has
not produced a governor since 1999.

He praised the Fayose-led PDP caucus for adopting Olusola, an
indigene of the town, as its “sole candidate,” urging the APC to
follow suit. According to him, Ikere parades eminent aspirants in
the party who can do the state proud.

Olanipekun said: “I know some politicians may not like my
position, but that is the truth, Ikere deserves it . As the
President of Ikere Development Forum (IDF), I have to lead the
course of Ikere people.

“IDF of which I am the President, we are trying to meet all of
them so that they have a consensus. We will be so lucky and thank
our stars if the two major parties pick Ikere sons as their flag
bearers.

“We can’t have it better if PDP picks Ikere indigene as its
candidate and if APC picks Ikere indigene too as candidate; head or
tail, it is Ikere.

“Let me tell you, I am not playing politics but I am being
realistic and as a leader of tis town; it is not a question of
whether you are supporting APC or whether you are supporting
PDP.”