The immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Party (APC), in Ekiti South Senatorial District, Mr Kayode Babade, has emerged the sole aspirant from Ikere-Ekiti to contest the party primary for the House of Representatives ticket of Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1 with other aspirants.
This followed the decision of a co-aspirant, Mr Muyiwa Olumilua, son of a former Governor of the old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, to step down for Babade to contest the primaries with the other aspirants from Ise/Orun and Ekiti South- West Local Government areas.
Olumilua made this known in Ikere-Ekiti on Friday shortly after the meeting of leaders and elders of the party.
He said his decision was to allow Ikere-Ekiti Town to speak with one voice toward securing the party’s ticket.
He maintained that the ticket belongs to Ikere-Ekiti having been denied over the years, as the other two council areas have had two terms each, with Ikere-Ekiti having it just once.
“There are three local governments that make up the federal constituency, Ekiti south west, Ikere and Ise/orun, the two other local governments, have had eight years each at the House of Representatives.
“My withdrawal was to allow Ikere-Ekiti stay united and speak with one voice to ensure victory at the poll.”
He said that he took the decision in consultation with his family, supporters, associates, political leaders, constituents and most especially in the interest of Ikere people.
He pledged to give support to Babade to ensure that he emerges as the candidate for the federal constituency seat in the primaries.
“I have not been under any pressure to step down, I just took the decision because I realized that Ikere has not acted as a family when it comes to politics
“Going down the memory lane, Ikere was the first to occupy that seat through Hon. Francis Aladejebi, 1999-2003, one term of four years, after him, we have Hon. Akindahunsi, for eight years back-to-back from Ise/Orun, it went to Ekiti south west, where we have Dr Ifeoluwa Arowosoge and Mr Segun Adekola, making their eight years, we are now saying it is our turn in Ikere.
“It is however unfortunate that we still have people vying, especially from Ekiti south west, Ilawe-Ekiti precisely, which I believe it is not fair, but this is democracy, we should still allow for a level play ground.
“We realized that we need to put our House in order, so, this decision of mine is for Ikere putting their House in order, if we continue to have two aspirants from Ikere, we end up splitting the votes, that means we open our flanges to infiltration.
“If we all come together and stand behind an aspirant, the likelihood of winning is much higher than when we have many aspirants, that was what informed my decision, no pressure from anybody, “Olumilua said.
Babade, in his response appreciated the team spirit of Olumilua, saying that his actions would forever be remembered in the history of Ikere and promised to do everything possible to attract the sympathy of other local governments at the primaries.
“He did that to enable Ikere town speak with one voice, because he wants Ikere to be united, force to be reckon with, move forward politically, and occupy that seat.
He urged party members and the people of the state to shun divisive tendencies and give maximum support to the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as he takes the reins of office on October 16.
Two other aspirants that are vying for the seat from Ilawe-Ekiti, in Ekiti southwest local government are Mr Yemi Adaramodu, who was the Chief of Staff to the governor-elect during his first term and Mr Makinde Araoye.
Ise/Orun local government is currently having a senatorial aspirant, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, so, they left the primaries of the House of Representatives for the other two councils.
