As agitation for the zoning of the APC’s governorship ticket for the state to Ekiti South Senatorial District has begun to shake the party to its foundation, a group has appealed for the intervention of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party’s National Leader, and Chief Bisi Akande, the party’s first interim National Chairman.
The political party known as “Ekiti South APC Mandate” is a political party in Ekiti State (ESAM)
Has urged the party’s leadership to persuade Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to reverse his position and support the zone so that justice, equity, fair play, and oneness can be established in the state.
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The ESAM Coordinator, Dr. Michael Orimoloye, described Fayemi’s alleged support for his immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, as a betrayal of trust and disrespect to the zone in a statement made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday.
As a result, Orimoloye pleaded with Tinubu and Akande, two respected APC leaders in the South-west and Nigeria, to persuade Governor Fayemi to embrace zoning, the same political matrix that propelled him to power in 2007.
“We would like to appeal to the APC’s national leadership to persuade Dr. Fayemi to reverse his decision to impose an Ekiti Central candidate, failing which our party will lose the general election,” he said.
“It astounded us that Governor Fayemi, who benefited greatly from zoning in the APC, could treat the south in this manner.
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“Despite the fact that the PDP’s Governorship Candidate, Professor Kolapo Olusola, is from the zone, Governor Fayemi won four out of the six local governments in the south to clinch victory in the last governorship election.” The perception at the time, which is now proving to be incorrect, was that Fayemi would consider the zone for governorship after his second term ended.
“We knew the virulent agitations made by Governor Fayemi and many of us from other zones for the North to get the ticket in the run-up to the 2007 election in Action Congress.
“With the emergence of Segun Oni from the PDP, it became North affairs for a while.” Why can’t this patriotic and justifiable act be reciprocated in the interests of political stability and trust?
“We recall Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention with nostalgia and delight, and we urge the APC’s national leader to come to the aid of Ekiti South Senatorial District in the same way he helped Ekiti North produce the governor.”
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“This agitation is about our today and tomorrow, not about us or any individual.” The general consensus in town is that Ekiti is no longer one of them. If this injustice is allowed to fester, the fabric of our oneness and togetherness is rapidly tearing, and it may tear to shreds.”
Professor Bolaji Aluko’s rare courage in speaking out above the whispers about the use of public resources for private gain, as well as the resignation of the Commissioner for Public Utilities, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, from Fayemi’s cabinet to run for governor, were lauded by the group as courageous and patriotic acts for the senatorial district.
“Within Fayemi’s political caucus, the claim has been made that Ekiti South lacks personalities with gubernatorial carriage, competence, commitment, and mien for the plum position, but I disagree with this demeaning assertion and sinister notion.
This amounts to the assassination of illustrious and prominent Ekiti Southerners such as Professor Bolaji Aluko, a reputable professor with a proven track record; Dr. Oluyede, a successful Ikere doctor; and Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, a noted engineer with a strong legislative and executive track record.
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“Didn’t people like Professor Bolaji Aluko, who is currently serving, and Hon Bamidele Faparusi, who served as commissioner under Fayemi, and other appointees from the zone give their best to serve the state?” Faparusi asked.
“We still have a lot of great people from the south who have done well under Fayemi. At the very least, these individuals should be given the opportunity to put their best foot forward.
