- Full List of Aspirants Revealed!
Ahead of the 2018 Ekiti state governorship election, no fewer than 55 aspirants are already jostling for the governorship seat in the state.
The aspirants cut across the two major political parties in the state, which are: People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC. One of the agitations dogging the race is that Ekiti South Senatorial District should be given opportunity to govern the state. Recall that since the state was create in 1996 and from the beginning of this political dispensation in 1999, candidates from central and North senatorial districts have ruled the state, while South senatorial district has been producing either deputy governor or speaker, House of the Assembly. Ikere Ekiti people are agitating to produce the next governor. The South Senatorial District comprises 6 local government areas, which include Ikere Ekiti, Gbonyin Ekiti, Emure Ekiti, Ekiti south west local government area, Ekiti east local government area and Ise/Orun local government area. So, if the governorship is zoned to the South Senatorial District, any of the local government areas areas can produce the candidate. In this report, City People’s ADEOLA SHITTU unveils the Ekiti south senatorial big boys, who want to rule the state come 2018 election.
DR OLUBUNMI OLUSOLA ELEKA
Dr. Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola Eleka is the Deputy Governor of Ekiti state, he hails from Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti South Senatorial District, Ekiti State. He attended St. Matthew Primary School and the famous Annunciation Secondary School (ANCO) both at Ikere-Ekiti before proceeding to bag a Bachelor of Science degree in Building at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, Nigeria in 1989. He also went ahead to earn a Master’s of Science degree in Construction Technology at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria in 1993 and later a Ph.D. in Building Structures again at OAU where he rose to the position of Associate Professor, before he was pick as Gov. Fayose’s running mate for June 21st election. He has been a member of Nigeria Institute of Building since 1993 and a registered builder since 2005. Aside his role as Deputy Governor, he is also presiding on the Ministry of Education as commissioner. The next governor is expected from the South Senatorial District and Ikere Ekiti where people are agitating to produce the next Governor.
PRINCE ADEDAYO ADEYEYE
Not much has been heard about Prince Adedayo Adeyeye governorship ambition since Gov Fayose’s support and adoption of his Deputy, Prof. Olusola as the PDP aspirant for the 2018 governorship election. No one could say if he is still interested in the race or not. But PAAM (Prince Adedayo Adeleye Movement) is fully prepared for the race. Though PAAM is a native of Ise Ekiti, but his mother is from a Royal family in Ikere Ekiti. He is one of the frontline and influential political leaders in Ekiti state and Nigeria as a whole, owingto his position as the PDP National publicity secretary. Aside from serving as the Minister for state during president Jonathan’s Adminstration in 2014, he had also held several positions at the state level such as Chairman Governing council of Ekiti state University and Chairman of SUBEB (State Universal Basic Education Board) during ex-gov Segun Ooni’s administration. He is the founder of PAAM movement. In 2014, he was one of the PDP leading governorship aspirants.
SENATOR GBENGA ALUKO
This native of Ode Ekiti in Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti, South Senatorial District, is one of the Ekiti 2018 governorship aspirants. Though much have not been heard from him, but some of his supporters insist that the senator is going to contest as he is still consulting with his leaders. Senator Gbenga Aluko is one of the sons of the late economist, Prof. Sam Aluko, and a younger brother to Prof Bolaji Aluko, V.C Federal University of Technology, Bayero. He contested election to the upper chamber of National Assembly in 1999 and won. He made the history then as the only Ekiti PDP in the Senate, he broke the ice in Ekiti state beating the Alliance for Democracy. He also vied for the governorship in 2007 on the ticket of LP and He was one of the PDP governorship aspirants in 2014, he had since join the APC.
AMBASSADOR
DARE BEJIDE
He was the former Secretary to Ekiti State government during the former Governor and South West national deputy chairman of APC, Asiwaju Segun Oni. He hails from Ilawe Ekiti in Ekiti south west local government area of the state. He had also served as Ambassador to Canada. He is a grassroots politician and a respected person. He is also contesting. Gov. Fayose’s decision to adopt his deputy for the 2018 race might force him to join another party.
- MUYIWA OLUMILUA
This engineer-turned politician is a son of a former Ondo State Governor, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua. He hails from Ikere-Ekiti. He has served as a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Projects Monitoring during the administration of Kayode Fayemi. He is one of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) chieftains eyeing the seat of power in the state, Muyiwa Olumilua, has declare his interest to contest the governorship seat in 2018.
HON FARARUSI BAMIDELE
This engineer-turned politician is a grassroots player, who has his eyes fixed on the state’s top job. He was a member of the Seventh House of Representatives where he represented Ekiti South Constituency 2. Faparusi is popular among youths and he brought smile to the faces of party members during the last Christmas with the donation of bags of rice and other gifts items. He is making waves on the field and the social media on his 2018 governorship bid. Faparusi is from Ode-Ekiti, Gbonyin LGA, Ekiti South District.
HON. OLUFEMI BAMISILE
He was the former speaker Ekiti state House of Assembly. This Ikere Ekiti politician-cum-business man was formerly in the PDP before he joined APC in 2014. He had indicated his intention to contest for the 2018 Ekiti governorship seat in APC. His local government falls under Ekiti South Senatorial District.
CHIEF DELE OKEYA
Chief Oladele Okeya hails from Emure-Ekiti, in Emure Local Government area of Ekiti state. He is a man of vast experience in both the private and public sector. He worked as a Planning Officer with the Ministry of Finance and Economic planning, Sokoto; Planning and Budget officer; Expenditure control and foreign exchange officer as well as Finance officer all with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. In the private sector, he was with Sambaba – Paddle Group Limited, Kano as Executive Director; After which he returned to the Public sector under the Ekiti state Government where he was Chairman, Contracts Review Committee in 2003; Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Works and Transport in Ekiti State from 2003-2005. Then he was appointed Special Adviser to the Government on Environment from 2005 – 2006. He was a member, Ekiti state Tender Board from 2003 – 2005; member Committee for Development Target, Ekiti State in 2003. A member of Ekiti state, Agricultural development Programme Executive Committee (ADPEC) from 2003-2005 among other committes. He is contesting the race under APC’s auspicise.
SURV. ABIODUN ALUKO
He was a successful surveyor before venturing into politics. He was the coordinator of Ayo Fayose Movement (AFM) before he was nominated deputy governor by his former boss. They soon fell apart and Aluko was impeached from office in a controversial circumstance and replaced with Omoyeni. Aluko. He contested the governorship in the National Democratic Party (NDP). He also returned to PDP where he vied for the ticket in the 2014 poll. Aluko, who hails from Ikere Ekiti in Ekiti South, is contesting under the auspicise of Mega Party of Nigeria.
HON BISI ALOBA
He is a former Chairman of Ikere Local Government Council. Aloba was also Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal College of Education, Bichi, Kano State. He is one of the PDP chieftains, who defected to the APC in protest, what they called one-man dictatorship in the umbrella party. Disclosing his intent to party members recently in his hometown, Ikere-Ekiti, Aloba pledged to revive dead industries and create jobs through commercial agriculture. He hails from the South.
SENATOR BODE OLOWOPOROKU
Senator Bode Olowoporoku is a doctorate degree holder in Economics. He was in the Senate between 2003 and 2007 and was also a Former Minister. He was a member and leader of People Democratic Party (PDP) but would be contesting on the the platform of Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN).
CAPTAIN SUNDAY ADEBOMI
The name Sunday Adebomi may not really ring a bell before now. But those who know him know that he was born to lead. His strong exposure to leadership while serving in the prestigious US army gave him an edge. He is a native of Ise Ekiti. He had indicated his interest to join the APC 2018 governorship race.
HON. BAYO IDOWU
He was a former secretary of ACN in the state and chairman, Ekiti state House of Assembly on commission. He hails from Ise- Ekiti in Ise/ Orun local government area of Ekiti South Senatorial district.
- KOLA ALABI
Kola Alabi fondly called KA is a certified Systems Application Products (SAP) consultant and trainer. As he serves on the boards of many companies and he is currently the Managing Partner at Alok Consulting Options Ltd. This erudite technology consultant with over 20 years experience in Information systems management has worked in various capacities in public sector in Nigeria and various countries around the world. He is a native of Ikere Ekiti and he is eyeing the gubernatorial race.
BISI OMOYENI
He is one of the industrious sons of Ikere Ekiti. This banker-cum-politician was a former Deputy governor and PDP aspirant in 2014. Though he is yet to confirm whether he is contesting the 2018 election.
MAKANJUOLA OWOLABI
He is an aviation consultant and the facilitator of Aerospace Medicine in Africa. Owolabi said his plan to redeem Ekiti brought about the slogan: ‘Ekiti Restoration Agenda’ (ERA). He said the redemption would be achieved in seven different phases” Mentality of honour, Self worth of Ekiti, Collective sense of responsibility, Fertile land, Sense of Dignity, Leadership Endowment and Fear of God/Family Value. He is from Aisegba-Ekiti, Gbonyin LGA in Ekiti South Senatorial District.
HON YEMI ADARAMODU
This veteran journalist-cum-Politian has traversed many departments in the media industry. He is native of Ilawe-Ekiti in Southwest Local Government Area of Ekiti State. He worked with Tribune newspapers for about 19 years. He was at various times a Deputy Editor, graphics editor and corporate affairs manager of the newspaper. Adaramodu is an accomplished cartoonist and politicians. He was at a time Local Government Chairman of Ekiti South West Local Government in 1998. He is a fellow of the Institute of Local Government Administrators. This former Chief of Staff to former Ekiti State Governor and Minister for Solid Mineral Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, was the Director of Communications for the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organization. The news is that Adaramodu is in the race, but he is yet to declare his interest and he didn’t deny the fact that he wants to be or contest the Governor’s seat.
HON DIRAN ADESUA
He was a foundation member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) after a distinguished career in the civil service. He served at various times as Commissioner for Works, Education and Special Duties under former Governor Adeniyi Adebayo between 1999 and 2003. He contested as the governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) in 2007. Adesua is from Omuo-Ekiti in Ekiti East Local Government Area, Ekiti South District. While unfolding his development agenda at the party secretariat, the businessman said he possessed the requisite experience and pedigree to be entrusted with the position.
WOLE OLUYEDE
He is one of the biggest sponsors of the APC in Ekiti State at a time the party lost power and the membership plummeted. This was publicly acknowledged by the state executive when he (Oluyede) visited the secretariat to unveil his ambition. He is a medical doctor, a farmer and investor in real estate, mineral resources and hospitality industry. He served as a member of Knowledge Zone Committee during the Fayemi regime and he did it without collecting salary and allowances. Oluyede disclosed that Ekiti would benefit from an $18 million investment in oil palm by a Malaysian firm in Africa, pledging that the palm tree project would be executed, whether he realises his governorship ambition or not, adding that he sealed the deal with Malaysian investors during a recent trip to the country. He explained that 10,000 stands of palm trees will be planted under the project to give employment opportunities for Ekiti indigenes and make the state depend less on the Federal Government for revenue. He is from Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti South.
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