Ahead of the 2023 Senatorial contest in Ekiti State, some loyalists of the former Governor Ayodele Fayose have endorsed the All Progressives Congress Senatorial candidate in Ekiti South Senatorial District, Hon Yemi Adaramodu as against PDP candidate, Senator Biodun Olujimi.
This adoption further attested to the crisis of confidence rocking the Ekiti State chapter the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), particularly between former Governor Fayose and the Chairman Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Biodun Olujimi.
The Fayose’s loyalists and PDP leaders took the decision on Thursday in Ise-Orun and Emure local government areas of the state, saying Nigerians should begin to vote for performing individuals regardless of party affiliations .
The leaders endorsed the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the two PDP House of Representatives’ candidates in the federal constituencies, Mr Akomolafe Henrich and Mrs Jennifer Emiola.
They said they won’t vote for any PDP candidate that is disloyal to Fayose, the party’s leader and someone, whose magic wand had brought the PDP from obscurity to stardom in Ekiti.
The PDP stakeholders at the meeting included, PDP State Auditor, Chief (Mrs) Arike Akintade, PDP State Assistant Youth leader, Alhaji Usman Afolabi, former Chairman Ise-Orun local government, Hon Kolawole Ropo.
Others are, former Secretary, Emure local government, Prince Oshin Adekanbi Chairmen of PDP in the ten wards of Emure local government led by Hon Adeleke Banji, ten PDP ward Chairmen in Ise- Orun local government led by Hon. Gbenga Ojuawo, ex counsellor Tayo Alagbon, Kolawole Abegunde and good number of party members and supporters.
Addressing the gathering, the duo of Chief Akintade and Alhaji Usman, said Fayose is the leader of the party in the state, who shouldn’t be disrespected by anyone, saying their action was based on collective conviction about Adaramodu’s competence.
Usman specifically reiterated that they would only vote for PDP candidates, who demonstrated loyalty to the party during the last governorship election in Ekiti.
Also, the former Ise-Orun council Chairman, Hon. Ropo Kolawole, said, “We are not ready to vote for som one who didn’t do anything tangible to better the lots of the constituents after eight years at the Senate, so our votes will go to Hon. Adaramodu this time.
“We are just getting it right in our politics, any political office holder not doing well must be voted out. Supporting APC’s Adaramodu is not anti-party activity on our part, but it is a vote of confidence in his leadership and performance “.
Speaking on behalf of PDP ward Chairmen, Hons Ojuawo and Adeleke, Coordinating Ward Chairmen in Ise-Orun and Emure local governments respectively, clarified that they called the meeting to notify party leaders and members on their decision to vote Adaramodu in the next election.
“We have resolved to vote for Adaramodu in the election due to what he is doing for the people in his party, we will also vote Atiku Abubakar and other PDP candidates in the federal constituency”.
“We can no longer be voting for someone who has no respect for us and our leader. Fayose has in strengthening the PDP in Ekiti and whoever shows respect for him is our friend and leader. Since Hon Adaramodu has performed well in his present position, he is our adopted candidate for the 2023 race.
“We have resolved to support someone that will deliver dividends of democracy to our constituents. Just as we are supporting Hon Adaramodu, some APC members are also supporting our candidates .Politics now is about who can make lives comfortable for the people. So, we have no regret about our action”.