Gov’ship: PDP stakeholders endorse Fayose’s deputy

PDP critical stakeholders in Ekiti State yesterday adopted the Deputy Governor, Prof Kolapo Olusola, from Ekiti South Senatorial District, as the preferred candidate of the party in next year’s gubernatorial election.

The stand came less than 12 months to the election. The adoption of the deputy governor, a professor of Building Technology from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, was the major decision reached at the party’s stakeholders’ meeting in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.

At the meeting were 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 and former deputy governor, among others.

The communique issued at the end of the meeting reads, “After due consultations, 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; Hon Anifowose Mustapha, for councilors; Alhaji Amuda Sunmonu, for ward chairmen; Hon Femi Bamisile, for local government party chairmen; Hon Dapo Olagunju, for local government chairmen (ALGON); Senator Bode Ola, for chairmen of boards and parastatals; Dr Modupe Alade (Secretary to the State Government), for State Executive Council; Rt. Hon. Kolawole Oluwawole, Speaker of the State House of Assembly and the State Chairman of the party, Chief Gboyega Oguntuase.

Speaking with journalists 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 entire people of Ekiti State.

He, however, said that the adoption would not preclude any member of the party that was interested in the governorship ticket from contesting.