THE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION IN EKITI STATE

The governorship election in Ekiti State is just a few days away. In the run-up to the election, the political atmosphere had been charged, with the key political parties mounting vigorous campaigns across the length and breadth of the state and wooing voters to their camps. The parties are throwing everything they have into the fray to ensure that victory is achieved.

The two main contending parties are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) which have the incumbent Deputy Governor, Professor Olushola Eleka and the immediate past Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as the their standard bearers respectively.

The atmosphere is so tensed up that political observers are apprehensive that the contest may lead to crises if the heat being generated by the electioneering is not effectively managed and contained. Although the outgoing governor of the state, Mr. Ayo Fayose is not on the ballot, he is ferociously leading the PDP campaigns as if he is the one contesting against Fayemi.

A recent survey conducted by this writer showed that Eleka is operating within the shadows of Fayose. All the campaign bill boards and posters of the PDP carry the imposing images of Fayose with Eleka in the background. The scenario makes one to begin to think whether it is actually Fayose that is the PDP candidate. It is this development that has compelled a lot of people in Ekiti to conclude that Fayose is seeking a third term through the back door. Fayose`s manoeuvrings, to my mind, speak of undue desperation.

But given the balance of forces and facts on ground, Fayemi is favoured to win the election. As at now, all categories of workers in Ekiti including those in the Civil Service and Local Governments are being owed eight months salaries while pensioners are similarly being owed nine months arrears. All this have combined with the over-bearing attitude of Fayose to mar the chances of PDP in the election.

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