Ekiti 2018: Why I Chose Youthful, Vibrant Team, Says Fayose

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose, has explained that he decided to set up a youthful team to take the mantle of leadership after his exit to afford Ekiti youths the opportunity to take ownership of government for rapid development of the state.

He said his deputy and governorship candidate, Kolapo Olusola is 49 while is deputy governorship candidate, Kazeem Deji Ogunsakin, 39, were chosen for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) joint ticket because of the party’s belief in the ability of the youth to take the state and even the country to higher levels.

He has therefore called on youths across the state to cast their votes for the PDP in the coming July 14 election.

He stated this in Ikole-Ekiti during the flag off of the governorship election campaign by the party.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, yesterday, the governor was quoted as saying that PDP’s trust in the youths could be seen even in the choice of the governorship candidate, Olusola, who is 49.

“We are not like those who don’t see anything good in our youths. We have implicit confidence in them and their ability to deliver when necessary. We have chosen a youthful team that has been proven.

“Ogunsakin is a former local government chairman and currently the Special Adviser on Due Process. Eleka has served as deputy governor for close to four years and has proven to be a good and competent person,” he said.

The governor also challenged the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who is also the current Minister of Solid Minerals, to tell Ekiti people what he has been able to attract to the state after over three years of being in office.

“I can say that we have given our best to the state. We have provided infrastructure across the state. Dualised roads, built flyover, improved education to the level that we rank first in the nation. We are not even relenting and this Eleka/ Ogunsakin team will even raise the stake higher.

“I implore the people of Ikole local government to vote for our
party. In 2014, your vote was the third largest after Ado and Ikere and I want you to come first this time around. I am also pleased with the performance of your people in government. Everybody should go and get their permanent voter’s cards,” he added.

After presenting Olusola and Ogunsakin to the crowd, Fayose also welcomed over 100 persons who defected from the APC to the PDP.

The leader of the defectors, Mr Bayo Ayeni, recalled that Fayose appointed him into the State Universal Basic Education Board in 2004.

He said he and his supporters were ready to follow Fayose and work tirelessly for the success of the PDP in the coming election.