…AS PDP members back Omoyeni
From Adewumi Ademiju, Ado Ekiti
An influential interest group in Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, under the aegis of Ikere Development Forum (IDF) has shortlisted five aspirants from the two major political parties, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state as possible aspirants in the forthcoming governorship in the state.
While PDP is the ruling party in the state, All Progressives Congress (APC) is the main opposition party set to take over the mantle of the state at the 2018 governorship election.
IDF reportedly took the decision at a meeting held at the weekend, where it narrowed down its choice after conducting “rigorous interview” of the aspirants from the town and perused their credentials.
While three aspirants from APC were cleared for nomination, two from PDP got the nod.
The chosen three from the APC are a medical doctor and business man, Dr Wole Oluyede, former Majority Leader, Ekiti State House of Assembly and Ex-Commissioner for Information, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye and former Commissioner for Commerce
and Industry, Chief Sesan Fatoba .
While the two PDP aspirants who got the IDF’s nods are, Deputy Governor, Prof Kolapo Olusola and former Deputy Governor and a former Group Managing Director, Wema Bank Group, Chief Adebisi Omoyeni.
IDF which consists of eminent personalities like of former President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) as a member has been working round the clock to ensure that the community presents its best aspirants for nomination.
The body has set up an 11member committee, chaired by a lawyer, Mr. F. S. Ogundana to screen aspirants from the town and ensure that the best are narrowed down for their parties’ primaries.
Other members of the panel are Dr Kola Adeyina, Mr. R T Arifayan (Secretary), Prof O. J Ayodele, Rev Tope Popoola, Tunde Fakoyede, Mr. Ola Olanipekun (SAN), Mr. Ola Alonge Chairman, Ikere Local Government, Mr. Olu
Afolabi (deceased), Mr. Wale Fayemi and Mr. Femi Ekundayo.
A source who attended the meeting said yesterday that the move was meant to ensure the chances of Ikere producing the next governor and separate the wheat from the chaff”.
He said the interview and drilling of Ikere aspirants was conducted on July 17.
The source added, “All the aspirants underwent rigorous interviews to determine their suitability for the governorship position they were seeking and the IDF special committee has come out with the result of its screening.
“We perused their credentials, antecedent, political experience and pedigree, and we have narrowed down our choice to Dr Wole Oluyede, Funminiyi Afuye and Chief Sesan Fatoba from the APC and Prof. Kolapo Isola and Chief Bisi Omoyeni from the PDP.”
Meanwhile, scores of PDP members in Ikere Ekiti have defied Governor Ayo Fayose by declaring their support for Omoyeni.
Led by a former Caretaker Chairman, Ikere Local Government, Sesan Owoeye, they welcomed Omoyeni to the town on Saturday amid pomp and ceremony.
They described Omoyeni as the best man for PDP’s flag and the governorship seat.
