Ekiti To Elect Gov Today, As 35 Candidates Jostle to Replace Fayose

By Jacob Akintunde, Ado-Ekiti

As people of Ekiti State will decides to vote for the governorship candidate of their choice today, a total of thirty five (35) candidates are participating in the exercise in their bid to succeed the incumbent administration led by Governor Ayodele Fayose.

Fayemi and Fayose

Prominent among the candidates are the current deputy governor of the state and candidate of the PDP Prof. Kolapo Olusola, the former Governor in the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Akin Aiyegbusi (SDP), Abiodun Aluko (Accord), Bisi Omoyeni (MPN) and Tunde Afe (ANRP)

Also participating in the election are; Shola Omolola (AA), Olaniyi Agboola (AD),Bode Olowoporoku(ACD ), Seun Adewale (ADP ), Prince Orubuloye(AGA ), Stephen Ojo (AGAP ), Olawale Jimoh (APA ), Tope Adebayo (APDA ) , Lawrence Ayodele (APGA ),Adegboye Adejayi( BNPP ),David Adesua (DA) , Olarewaju Olalekan(DPC ) ,Yinka Akerele (DPP ), Sule Ganiyu (FJP ), Wale Akinyele(GPN ) , Tosin Ajibare (ID), Amuda Kazeem (Kowa) and Tae Lawal (LP)

Others include; Gregory Jegede (MMN ), Tunde Alegbeleye (NDLP), Oladosu Olaniyan (NPC ), Yinka Dada (PDC ) , Goke Animashaun(PPA), Dare Bejide (PPN ) ,Segun Adeleye(UDP ) , Femi Gboyega(UPN ) ,Deji Fakorde (YDP ) and Tope Omotayo( YPP ).

There are 931,334 registered voters, 2,195 polling units, 256 voting points, 177 registrations areas across the 16 local government areas in the state.

At the end of the window for collection of the Permanent Voters Card on Wednesday July 11,2018, a total of number of 667,064 prospective voters have collected their PVC.

Apparently, the contest will be between the two dominant parties of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state and the All Progressives Congress(APC ).

It would be recalled that in 2014 election, the incumbent Governor Fayose,who will be completing his four years tenure by October 16 polled 203,090 votes to defeat the then Governor Dr. Fayemi, who garnered 120,433 votes.

The candidate of the PDP , Prof. Olusola is backing on the achievement and political clouts of his boss, Fayose to win the poll, while Dr. Fayemi during his campaign made references to his record when he was governor and the backing of the federal government led APC.

The state governor has ostensibly took over the campaign of his deputy and candidate od the his party and many voters in the state have seen the contest between Governor Fayose and Dr. Fayemi.

Considering the events of recent days in the state which has really brought a kind of apprehension amongst the stakeholders , this might brings about voter apathy on election day.

Some of the electorates who spoke with our correspondent have expressed optimism about the election and their determination to exercise their fundamental human rights today (Saturday).

Adeola Ajayi,” I am ready and prepare to vote for my candidate today. We are calling on INEC and security agencies to ensure our votes count.”

On his part, Festus Olalusi said,” We will elect our governor today and we don’t want violence in any guise. Peaceful election is what we want.”

The Olukere of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin who also spoke with CityMirrorNews at his palace said natives of Ikere are ready to vote for the candidate of their choice and called for free and fair election.

Oba Obasoyin said, “It is always the best for every election to be free and fair so that the people can have confidence in the election. If the election is free, fair and credible, the elected government will be accountable and transparent to the people. But if it is the other way round, the elected government would take the people for granted and not take them seriously”.

It would be recalled that Nigeria police force had deployed 30,000 personnel to the state with additional 4,390 security personnel from Armed forces, the Nigeria Security and civil defense corps to complement the security arrangements.

As the voters in the state file out in their numbers to elect the governor for the next four years, many analysts hoped for a peaceful, credible, fair and transparent election.