(VIDEO) Next Ekiti Governor must come from the South Senatorial District – Ekiti Obas

 

Traditional rulers from the three senatorial districts in Ekiti State have
urged all political parties in the state and particularly the ruling party,
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to ensure aspirants who would emerge as
their parties’ governorship candidates in the coming primaries should come
from the southern senatorial district of the State.

“Whichever party produces a Southern candidate, we will support,” the
monarch declared.

The monarchs made known their demands today, during a visit to the State
Governor, Dr Ayodele Fayose, at the Osuntokun lodge of the government house
in Ado Ekiti, spoke through the Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel
Adebayo.

The monarchs were led by the Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo,
included the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Samuel Adu Alagbado; Ologotun of Ogotun
Ekiti, Oba Samuel Ajibade; Onire of Ire Ekiti, Oba Victor Adeleke Bobade;
Alare of Are Ekiti, Oba Boluwaji Adebiyi, among others.

The traditional leaders, who insisted that they were not particular about
who the candidate will be, said that “it is the turn of the Southern
senatorial district since Ekiti State belonged to all the Senatorial
districts.

Speaking at the meeting, the Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo
said; “We want to urge all political parties to make sure that their
candidates are from the Southern part of the State because this part has
been marginalized since the creation of the State. Our concern stems from
the fact that we all should be seen as allowing fairness and justice to
hold sway.

“It is believed that if we all have that concern and interest, we should
have a governor from the South as that would show fairness to all parties.
When the South is not considered this time around, it would amount to
marginalisation.

“We therefore appeal to all monarchs that we should choose and support a
candidate that would continue the current works by the incumbent governor.
Whichever party produces a Southern candidate, we will support,” he said.

Also speaking, the Arajaka of Igbara Odo, Oba Jaiyeola said: “We are here
to speak with one voice that there is a particular part of Ekiti already
marginalized in producing a governor. We are now appealing to all parties
that their candidate must come from that Southern part.

“In Ekiti South, we have waited for too long, so we want a governor from
the South. We are not particular about any candidate, but we just want all
the parties to pick their candidates from the South.”

Also speaking, the Alare of Are Ekiti (Ekiti Central), Oba Boluwaji
Adebiyi Ekiti said “all the Obas from Ekiti Central have thrown their
weight behind someone from the Southern Senatorial district becoming the
next governor based on the principle of fairness, equity and justice.”

Reacting to the resolution of the traditional rulers, Governor Fayose
described the agitation as legitimate.

“The Obas that stand for justice have spoken and as the governor, I would
only urge all the traditional rulers in the State to sell the agitation to
their subjects and to follow it to a logical end,”, Fayose said.

Speaking on behalf of Ekiti North kings, the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba
Olatunji said “we believe in the principle of justice and fairness. We are
not standing here to be partisan but we are talking about justice. We are
supporting a southern governor based on principle of fairness, justice and
equity.”

Also expressing support, the Owatapa of Itapa Ekiti, Oba David Makanjuola,
urged all the kings to galvanise support for the Ekiti South agenda.

The Alare of Are Ekiti, Oba Boluwade Adebiyi, who spoke the minds of kings
from Ekiti North, described the agitation of the Ekiti south people as
genuine which must be granted.

“People should support Ekiti South so that we don’t stay on each other’s
neck. We are not saying a word in favour of a particular candidate or party
but for us to remain as one people, let’s be fair to ourselves.”

Governor Fayose, who described the agitation as legitimate, advised the
monarchs to spread the message.

He said, “I have only one vote, it is their duty to seek the support of the
people. You can’t stop anybody from contesting, but their demand is
legitimate.

“The Peoples Democratic Party is a party of the people. We realised the
agitation was legitimate that was why we zoned our ticket to the south.”