•For EKITI Central Senatorial Seat
Ahead of the February 16th, 2019 general elections, candidates of different political parties, especially in Ekiti State are battle ready and are presently wooing the electorate to vote for them.
Going by the Independent National Electronic Commission (INEC) release, Ekiti state has 27 senatorial candidates eyeing three senatorial seats in the fountain of knowledge state. There are 10 political parties in the race. The battle of who represents the three senatorial districts is fierce but PDP (People’s Democratic Party) and APC (All Progressive’s Congress) have visibly locked horns each other of and appears battle ready. The caliber of politicians representing both PDP and APC in the race to the senate shows that it wil be a hot one. Among the 3 senatorial district, Ekiti central is however, the major focus.
BRIEF ON THE 3 SENATORIAL DISTRICTS
IN EKITI STATE
Ekiti state comprises 16 local government areas which were grouped into 3 senatorial districts. The 3 senatorial districts are: Ekiti North Ekiti Central and Ekiti South.
In Ekiti North, it has 5 local government areas which include, Ikole local government area, Oye local government area, Ido/Osi local government area, Moba local government area and Ilejemeje local government area. Ekiti Central boasts of 5 local government areas, which is made up of Ado Ekiti local government area, Irepodun/Ifelodun local government area, Ijero local government area, Efon local government area and Ekiti West local government area.
Ekiti South on its part, has 6 local government areas which include Ekiti South-West local government area, Ikere local government area, Emure local government area, Ise/Orun local government area, Gbonyin local government area and Ekiti East local government area. Aside the 3 senatorial districts, each senatorial district has 2 House of Representatives federal constituencies each, with 26 State House Of Assembly members (Ekiti Central Senatorial has 8 House of Assembly constituencies, while Ekiti North Senatorial and Ekiti South Senatorial have 9 House of Assembly constituencies each).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EKITI CENTRAL SENATORIAL
Ekiti Central Senatorial is comprises 2 Federal Constituency, 8 State House of Assembly and 5 local government areas. Ado local government area has the highest number of voters. It has produced 3 Senators since 1999. They are: Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator Bode Ola, Senator Fatima Raji- Rasaki and Senator Ayoade Oni, while Senator Clement Awoyelu who hails from Aramoko in Ekiti West Local government and that of Efon Local government area have also produced a Senator in person of Adefemi Kila who was later sacked by the court of law after spending 2 years at the Senate, as the mandate was returned to Senator Bode Ola.
Out of the five local governments that makes up Ekiti central senatorial, 2 local government areas (Irepodun/ Ifelodun local government and Ijero local government) are yet to produce a senator.
Ahead of the February 16th National Assembly election, Ekiti central parades no fewer than 10 political parties, whose candidates are jostling for the Ekiti Central Senatorial seat. They are Babatola Afolaya Akutupu, ADC’s candidate, Hon Bamidele Micheal Opeyemi, APC candidate, Oluwafemi Abiodun, DA’s candidate, Irewole Tosin, DPP candidate, Adeniyi Adekunle, O. LP candidate, Asaolu Oluwafemi Ahmed, MPN’s candidate, Barr. Adewale Obafemi, PDP’s candidate, Falade Adewale Philip, PPN’s candidate, Foluso Festus Dahosi PT candidate and Akinola Adams Ezekiel, YDP’s candidate.
Though the race appears to be between All Progressive’s Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Hon Bamidele Micheal Opeyemi, the APC senatorial candidate is an illustrious son of Iyin Ekiti in Irepodun/ Ifelodun local government of Ekiti and he is well loved by his people, while Barr. Adewale Obafemi PDP the PDPs candidate is another industrious son of Ijurin Ekiti in Ijero local government of Ekiti state. He is also well loved by his people. The two candidates are at loggerheads in the race come February 16th. Both are banking on their goodwill, but many believe that Hon Michael Opeyemi Bamidele will have a sympathy vote owing to the gun shot incident of 2018 and the fact his party is in government in the state.
On the part of Barr. Adewale Obafemi, the fact that his local government is yet to produce a senator is an added advantage on his part and his local government is the second largest town in Ekiti state. Besides, the fact that his political party, PDP, had a bright chance going by the last governship election where two out of 4 local government won by PDP are in Ekiti central senatorial district they are be strong hold of PDP’s says a source. But going by observation, the race is 50 /50 chance between the two political parties.
BRIEF PROFILE OF HON OPEYEMI BAMIDELE AND BARR. OBAFEMI ADEWALE
Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, fondly called MOB is a vibrant leader, who enjoys support from the grassroots based on his performance as a House of Rep member between 2011 to 2015. He was nicknamed “The Promise Keeper” in his constituency because he proved to them that he is indeed a man of his words. This former lawmaker representing Ado/Ifelodun/Irepodun Federal Constituency at the Lower Chamber of National Assembly on the platform of ACN now APC was then Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Research In 2014, he was the Labour Party Governorship Candidate in Ekiti state. MOB, as fondly call hails from Iyin Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area in Ekiti Central Senatorial District. The same Local Government Area that has produced 2 former governors (Ex- Governor Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Ex- governor, Dr. Peter Ayodele fayose) and one sole administrator. He has got the executive experience having served in the cabinet of Lagos State government for 12 years. He has the parliamentary experience having served as a national lawmaker and he is lawyer which stands him out. He was one of the APC governorship aspirants in 2018 before he was made the DG campaign to the incumbent governor, Dr. Kayode John Fayemi. He contested the Ekiti central senatorial against the incumbent Senator, Senator Fatima Raji-Rasaki who left PDP for APC last year, MOB defected her to emerge the party candidate for Ekiti Central.
Barr. Obafemi Adewale, popularly known as OBAF is an indigene of Ijurin- Ekiti in Ijero Local Government of Ekiti State, Nigeria. He attended Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti, before he proceeded to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he studied law. He is an eloquent speaker and a renowned lawyer. This legal icon was a former Secretary General of the Nigerian Bar Association and a member, Pioneer Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). This reputable politician is a democrat, an Awoist, a passionate defender of human rights who believes in servant leadership principle. As a former Ekiti State Honourable Attorney General and commissioner for Justice during Otunba Niyi Adebayo administration, he also served as Works Commissioner and Special Adviser on political matters to Ekiti State Governor during Engr. Segun Oni’s administration. He was voted 3rd best delegate out of over 360 delegates from all over Nigeria in the 1994 /95 Constitutional Conference (CONFAB).
For the purpose of records, the conference drafted the 1999 Constitution in use today, which recommended that Ekiti State should be created and fashioned out the principle of rotational presidency. He is a man of ideas who values qualitative education and loves to see people around him, especially the younger ones encourage to attain great height in their chosen careers as he is always happy to bring out the best in people. OBAF is a philanthropist, who has touched and positively changed many lives.
-Adeola Shittu
•For EKITI Central Senatorial Seat
Ahead of the February 16th, 2019 general elections, candidates of different political parties, especially in Ekiti State are battle ready and are presently wooing the electorate to vote for them.
Going by the Independent National Electronic Commission (INEC) release, Ekiti state has 27 senatorial candidates eyeing three senatorial seats in the fountain of knowledge state. There are 10 political parties in the race. The battle of who represents the three senatorial districts is fierce but PDP (People’s Democratic Party) and APC (All Progressive’s Congress) have visibly locked horns each other of and appears battle ready. The caliber of politicians representing both PDP and APC in the race to the senate shows that it wil be a hot one. Among the 3 senatorial district, Ekiti central is however, the major focus.
BRIEF ON THE 3 SENATORIAL DISTRICTS
IN EKITI STATE
Ekiti state comprises 16 local government areas which were grouped into 3 senatorial districts. The 3 senatorial districts are: Ekiti North Ekiti Central and Ekiti South.
In Ekiti North, it has 5 local government areas which include, Ikole local government area, Oye local government area, Ido/Osi local government area, Moba local government area and Ilejemeje local government area. Ekiti Central boasts of 5 local government areas, which is made up of Ado Ekiti local government area, Irepodun/Ifelodun local government area, Ijero local government area, Efon local government area and Ekiti West local government area.
Ekiti South on its part, has 6 local government areas which include Ekiti South-West local government area, Ikere local government area, Emure local government area, Ise/Orun local government area, Gbonyin local government area and Ekiti East local government area. Aside the 3 senatorial districts, each senatorial district has 2 House of Representatives federal constituencies each, with 26 State House Of Assembly members (Ekiti Central Senatorial has 8 House of Assembly constituencies, while Ekiti North Senatorial and Ekiti South Senatorial have 9 House of Assembly constituencies each).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EKITI CENTRAL SENATORIAL
Ekiti Central Senatorial is comprises 2 Federal Constituency, 8 State House of Assembly and 5 local government areas. Ado local government area has the highest number of voters. It has produced 3 Senators since 1999. They are: Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator Bode Ola, Senator Fatima Raji- Rasaki and Senator Ayoade Oni, while Senator Clement Awoyelu who hails from Aramoko in Ekiti West Local government and that of Efon Local government area have also produced a Senator in person of Adefemi Kila who was later sacked by the court of law after spending 2 years at the Senate, as the mandate was returned to Senator Bode Ola.
Out of the five local governments that makes up Ekiti central senatorial, 2 local government areas (Irepodun/ Ifelodun local government and Ijero local government) are yet to produce a senator.
Ahead of the February 16th National Assembly election, Ekiti central parades no fewer than 10 political parties, whose candidates are jostling for the Ekiti Central Senatorial seat. They are Babatola Afolaya Akutupu, ADC’s candidate, Hon Bamidele Micheal Opeyemi, APC candidate, Oluwafemi Abiodun, DA’s candidate, Irewole Tosin, DPP candidate, Adeniyi Adekunle, O. LP candidate, Asaolu Oluwafemi Ahmed, MPN’s candidate, Barr. Adewale Obafemi, PDP’s candidate, Falade Adewale Philip, PPN’s candidate, Foluso Festus Dahosi PT candidate and Akinola Adams Ezekiel, YDP’s candidate.
Though the race appears to be between All Progressive’s Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Hon Bamidele Micheal Opeyemi, the APC senatorial candidate is an illustrious son of Iyin Ekiti in Irepodun/ Ifelodun local government of Ekiti and he is well loved by his people, while Barr. Adewale Obafemi PDP the PDPs candidate is another industrious son of Ijurin Ekiti in Ijero local government of Ekiti state. He is also well loved by his people. The two candidates are at loggerheads in the race come February 16th. Both are banking on their goodwill, but many believe that Hon Michael Opeyemi Bamidele will have a sympathy vote owing to the gun shot incident of 2018 and the fact his party is in government in the state.
On the part of Barr. Adewale Obafemi, the fact that his local government is yet to produce a senator is an added advantage on his part and his local government is the second largest town in Ekiti state. Besides, the fact that his political party, PDP, had a bright chance going by the last governship election where two out of 4 local government won by PDP are in Ekiti central senatorial district they are be strong hold of PDP’s says a source. But going by observation, the race is 50 /50 chance between the two political parties.
BRIEF PROFILE OF HON OPEYEMI BAMIDELE AND BARR. OBAFEMI ADEWALE
Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, fondly called MOB is a vibrant leader, who enjoys support from the grassroots based on his performance as a House of Rep member between 2011 to 2015. He was nicknamed “The Promise Keeper” in his constituency because he proved to them that he is indeed a man of his words. This former lawmaker representing Ado/Ifelodun/Irepodun Federal Constituency at the Lower Chamber of National Assembly on the platform of ACN now APC was then Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Research In 2014, he was the Labour Party Governorship Candidate in Ekiti state. MOB, as fondly call hails from Iyin Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area in Ekiti Central Senatorial District. The same Local Government Area that has produced 2 former governors (Ex- Governor Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Ex- governor, Dr. Peter Ayodele fayose) and one sole administrator. He has got the executive experience having served in the cabinet of Lagos State government for 12 years. He has the parliamentary experience having served as a national lawmaker and he is lawyer which stands him out. He was one of the APC governorship aspirants in 2018 before he was made the DG campaign to the incumbent governor, Dr. Kayode John Fayemi. He contested the Ekiti central senatorial against the incumbent Senator, Senator Fatima Raji-Rasaki who left PDP for APC last year, MOB defected her to emerge the party candidate for Ekiti Central.
Barr. Obafemi Adewale, popularly known as OBAF is an indigene of Ijurin- Ekiti in Ijero Local Government of Ekiti State, Nigeria. He attended Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti, before he proceeded to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he studied law. He is an eloquent speaker and a renowned lawyer. This legal icon was a former Secretary General of the Nigerian Bar Association and a member, Pioneer Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). This reputable politician is a democrat, an Awoist, a passionate defender of human rights who believes in servant leadership principle. As a former Ekiti State Honourable Attorney General and commissioner for Justice during Otunba Niyi Adebayo administration, he also served as Works Commissioner and Special Adviser on political matters to Ekiti State Governor during Engr. Segun Oni’s administration. He was voted 3rd best delegate out of over 360 delegates from all over Nigeria in the 1994 /95 Constitutional Conference (CONFAB).
For the purpose of records, the conference drafted the 1999 Constitution in use today, which recommended that Ekiti State should be created and fashioned out the principle of rotational presidency. He is a man of ideas who values qualitative education and loves to see people around him, especially the younger ones encourage to attain great height in their chosen careers as he is always happy to bring out the best in people. OBAF is a philanthropist, who has touched and positively changed many lives.
-Adeola Shittu
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