Less than a year before the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti State, stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state endorsed the then Deputy Governor, Professor Kolapo Olusola, as their preferred aspirant for the party’s governorship ticket.
Olusola, a professor of Building Technology at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, emerged as the preferred choice at a PDP stakeholders’ meeting held in Ado-Ekiti.
The meeting was attended by 177 councillors, 177 ward chairmen, 16 local government party chairmen, 16 local council chairmen, chairmen and members of boards and parastatals, members of the State Executive Council and the Ekiti State House of Assembly.
Also in attendance were serving and former members of the PDP State Working Committee, a former deputy governor and other prominent stakeholders of the party.
In a communique issued after the meeting, the stakeholders said their endorsement followed consultations among the various organs of the party.
“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,” the communique stated.
The document was signed by representatives of the various groups, including Hon. Anifowose Mustapha for councillors, Alhaji Amuda Sunmonu for ward chairmen, Hon. Femi Bamisile for local government party chairmen and Hon. Dapo Olagunju for local government chairmen under ALGON.
Others who signed included Senator Bode Ola for chairmen of boards and parastatals, the then Secretary to the State Government, Dr Modupe Alade, for the State Executive Council, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kolawole Oluwawole, and PDP State Chairman, Chief Gboyega Oguntuase.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Oguntuase said the party organs would respect the stakeholders’ decision in the overall interest of the PDP and the people of Ekiti State.
He, however, clarified that the endorsement would not prevent other members of the party from seeking the governorship ticket.
According to him, any interested member would be free to contest, while the party would conduct an open and transparent primary in line with its rules and applicable electoral provisions.
Chairman of the Forum of Ward Chairmen, Alhaji Amuda Sunmonu, welcomed the endorsement and expressed the group’s support for Governor Ayodele Fayose’s political direction.
“Wherever Governor Fayose goes, we will follow him,” Sunmonu said.
Speaking on behalf of the state’s councillors, Hon. Anifowose Mustapha said all 177 councillors were behind the governor and described the stakeholders’ decision as binding on the group.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Modupe Alade, described Olusola as a competent and loyal member of the Fayose political family.
Alade said the deputy governor’s endorsement was recognition of his loyalty, dedication and commitment to the administration.
The development came as political parties and aspirants began preparations for the 2018 Ekiti governorship election, which was eventually won by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Kayode Fayemi.
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