Ekiti State PDP adopts Fayose's deputy Kolapo Olusola as its 2018 governorship candidate

EKITI State deputy governor Professor Kolapo Olusola has emerged as the consensus candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming 2018 gubernatorial elections.

Professor Olusola emerged from a list of strong contenders for the governorship ticket as the most preferred candidate at a meeting held yesterday by party bigwigs in the state capital Ado Ekiti. It was attended by serving and former members of the PDP state working committee, members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, party leaders from the 16 local governments and 177 wards, as well as chairmen and members of boards and parastatals, among others.

An indigene of Ikere Ekiti, the second largest town in Ekiti State, Professor Olusola was a building technology lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in Osun State. A communique issued at the end of the meeting read that after due consultation, Professor Olusola from Ekiti South Senatorial District, was chosen as the preferred aspirant/candidate. Those who signed the communique include Anifowose Mustapha for councillors, Alhaji Amuda Sunmonu for ward chairmen, Femi Bamisile for local government party chairmen, Dapo Olagunju for Association of Local Government chairmen, Senator Bode Ola for chairmen of boards and parastatals. Dr Modupe Alade the secretary to the state government for the Ekiti State Executive Council, Speaker Kolawole Oluwawole for Ekiti State House of Assembly and Chief Gboyega Oguntuase, the state chairman of the party.

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 the adoption would not preclude any member of the party who is interested in the governorship ticket from contesting.

Furthermore, Chief Oguntuase added that an open and transparent primary election would be held in accordance with the rules of the party. Alhaji Amuda Sunmonu, the chairman of the Forum of Ward Chairmen, also hailed the decision to adopt Professor Olusola, maintaining that wherever Governor Fayose goes, they will follow him.

Speaking on behalf of councillors, Mr Mustapha said all his 177 members in the state were solidly behind the governor and that the decision of the party’s stakeholders remained binding on all of them. Dr Alade described the deputy governor as a competent and loyal member of Governor Ayo Fayose’s political family, adding that his adoption was a reward for loyalty, dedication and commitment.