Less than 12 months to the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti
State, stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state have adopted the Deputy Governor, Prof Kolapo Olusola, from Ekiti South Senatorial District, as the preferred candidate of the party.
Adoption of the deputy governor, who is a professor of Building
Technology from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, was the major decision reached at the party’s stakeholders’ meeting in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, September 6, 2017.
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, State Executive Council, Ekiti State House of Assembly members, serving and former members of the PDP State Working Committee, former Deputy Governor, among others.
The communique issued at the end of the meeting reads: “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; Femi Bamisile, for Local Government Party Chairmen; Dapo Olagunju, for Local Government Chairmen (ALGON); Senator Bode Ola, for Chairmen of
Board and Parastatals; Dr Modupe Alade (Secretary to the State Government), for State Executive Council; Kolawole Oluwawole,
Speaker of the State House of Assembly and the State Chairman of the party, Chief Gboyega Oguntuase.
After the adoption, state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Oguntuase, said the party organs would abide by the decision taken by the stakeholders in the overall interest of the party and the people of Ekiti State.
He however said that the adoption would not preclude any member of the party that is interested in the governorship ticket from contesting, adding 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 Prof Olusola, maintaining that “Wherever Governor Fayose goes, we will follow him.”