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From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
Leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Ekiti South Senatorial District of Ekiti State have declared their support for the party’s governorship aspirant, Dr Wole Oluyede, ahead of the party’s November primary and the June 2026 governorship elections in the state.
The party leaders who were drawn from Ekiti East, Ekiti South-West, Ikere, Emure, Ise/Orun and Gbonyin Local Government Areas making up Ekiti South Senatorial District, also expressed support for Ekiti South Agenda, an agitation that the seat of power be conceded to the South Senatorial District of the state.
The leaders made the declaration at a meeting in Ikere-Ekiti, at the weekend, where they unanimously endorsed the candidacy of Oluyede and resolved to work for his emergence at the polls, urging members of the public to disregard any report or information stating otherwise.
The leaders who lamented that Ekiti South has long been marginalised politically despite its numerical strength during elections, attributed the unpleasant development to the divide and rule tactics employed by few greedy individuals, which has over the years jeopardised the chances of the region to produce a governor since the inception of democratic rule in 1999.
They pointed out that efforts by some internal and external forces to shortchange the region will be repelled this time, as against what was obtained in the past.
Speaking at the meeting, one of the leaders, Chief Ojo Adewale (Ojo Oloogun), said, “We are not unaware that the ‘Bisi Kay’ scenario is being orchestrated again by some petty individuals as they did back in 2022 governorship elections which threw out strong candidates like Engr. Segun Oni and presented a feeble candidate to face an incumbent government but this time the South is saying enough is enough.”
Another leader, High Chief Mosu Aguda, disclosed that the decision of the leaders to back the Ekiti South Agenda is borne out of equity and fairness which they believe is the backbone of any fair democracy.
“This time, it is our turn. We have been neglected and cheated in all ramifications. Ekiti North has produced governor for 11 years while the Central District has ruled for 16 solid years. You can see that the South has been relegated to the background despite our strength in bloc votes all because of the selfishness of few individuals.”
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Aguda, however, reiterated the commitment of the region to unify against selfish interest by unanimously backing the Ekiti South Agenda and Oluyede who is the only Southern aspirant in the governorship race.
“Oluyede is the only southern aspirant, the rest are from the North and although we are still negotiating with them to give us their support because this is the best way to go and for the chances of the party in the governorship election Oluyede is simply the best option.”
While hinting that only Oluyede has successfully obtained the PDP Delegates Nomination Form, the leaders noted that no emergency candidate supported by faceless people will be allowed to hijack the party or trade the party like “former Governor Ayodele Fayose did in 2022.”
The leaders also disassociated themselves from a member of the party, Funso Ayeni, who has equally obtained the governorship nomination form, assuring that the bid of such emergency aspirant to distract the process will fail.
“That gimmick of injecting a Bisi Kay dummy won’t work again. It shows they have failed in all their plans to stop Oluyede from contesting. First, we want to make it clear that no leader here is aware of Funso Ayeni’s governorship ambition. Some of us here were supporting his Chairmanship ambition and when we noticed he was acting funny we left his camp because we will not repeat the trade by barter of 2022.”
The leaders also called on all local government executives to shun and ignore any candidate or self-appointed elders not backing the ‘Ekiti South Agenda’, stressing that the unity ahead of 2026 can no longer be traded for a plate of food.
Also present at the meeting include Prince Taye Otitoju, Chief Ojerinde, Hon Kingsley Ogunbolude, Hon Bade Adara, Chief Oguntoye, Chief Adekunle, local government party Chairmen, Ward Chairmen, former PDP councillors and women leaders from Ekiti South Senatorial District.
