Ekiti poll: Analysis of parties’ strengths and weaknesses

As the D- Day arrives for the much anticipated Ekiti State governorship election,

KAMARUDEEN OGUNDELE analyses the strengths of the parties in each of the 16

local governments of the state

All is set for today ’ s governorship poll in Ekiti State as political campaigns had

come to an end on Thursday .

The Independent National Electoral Commission began the sharing of sensitive

materials to all the secretariats of the 16 local government areas on Thursday

under tight security .

Our correspondent reviews how

political gladiators in the state

have been deploying energy

and resources to boost the

chances of their parties in the

election. Arguably , the two

leading political parties in the

contest are the ruling Peoples

Democratic Party in the state

and the Federal Government -

led All Progressives Congress .

The tenure of Governor Ayodele Fayose comes to an end on October 15 , 2018

having taken the oath of office on October 16 , 2014 . Fayose in the June 21 , 2014

governorship election had defeated the then sitting governor , Dr . Kayode Fayemi ,

who ran on the platform of the APC .

Fayose is in his second term having first taken oath of office in 2003 when he

governed till 2006 before his impeachment . He is hoping to hand over to his

deputy , Prof . Kolapo Olusola . Olusola emerged as the PDP candidate at a primary

election conducted on May 8 , 2018 and he is contesting against Fayemi , who

defeated 32 other aspirants to emerge as the APC candidate at a keenly contested

primary held on May 12 , 2018 .

The former Minister of Mines and Steel Development is seeking a return to the

office he lost in the 2014 poll .

Will Fayose succeed in installing a successor , a feat no outgoing governor had

achieved since Ekiti became a state in 1996 and produced a civilian governor in

1999 ?

Will Fayemi , on the other hand , stop Fayose from achieving the record by staging

his own comeback to power ?

It must be stated that the APC and PDP have more reach, presence , structures ,

resources , manpower and members in all the 16 local government areas of the

state than other political parties . But would this count in the election?

Ekiti State is divided into three

senatorial districts : Ekiti North , Ekiti

Central and Ekiti South with 16 local

government areas.

Ekiti North and Ekiti Central have

five local government areas each

while Ekiti South has six local

government areas.

The local government areas in Ekiti

North are Moba ( 11 wards ); Ido/ Osi ,

(11 wards ); Ilejemeje (10 wards ); Oye

(12 wards ); and Ikole ( 12 wards ) .

In Ekiti Central, there are Ado (13 wards ; , Irepodun / Ifelodun (11 wards ); Ekiti

West (11 wards ); Ijero (12 wards ); and Efon ( 10 wards ).

Ekiti South is made up of Ekiti South West ( 11 wards ); Ikere ( 11 wards ); Ise/ Orun

( 10 wards ); Emure ( 10 wards ); Gbonyin ( 10 wards ); and Ekiti East ( 12 wards ) .

Votes are up for grabs in 177 wards and 2 , 195 polling units . Total number of

registered voters in the state is 913 , 334 . But , according to INEC , only 630 , 000 have

collected their Permanent Voter Cards .

Factors that will determine the winner in this election will include the candidate ’ s

personality and acceptability , party strength , support of critical segments of the

population, policies of the government in power , manifestos of the parties seeking

to upstage it and of course , the party’ s financial war chest .

The two parties have some party chieftains they are relying upon in their

respective domains to swing victory in their favour today .

However , it must be noted that the projections below are subject to changes in the

dynamics of politics as the game is highly unpredictable.

In Ado Local Government Area, it will be a battle between the two running mates

of both parties : the 74 - year old former Local Government Chairman, Adebisi

Egbeyemi , of the APC and the 39 - year - old Kazeem Ogunsakin of the PDP , who is

the immediate past chairman of the council.

Some prominent persons in the local government that are with the PDP include

Mr . Clement Bamisile ; House of Assembly member representing Ado 1 , Mr . Musa

Arogundade ; Assembly member representing Ado 2, Mr . Tope Fasanmi ; State

Universal Basic Education Board Chairman, Senator Bode Ola ; and two former

council chairmen , Mrs. Tosin Ajisafe - Aluko and Mr . Taye Fasuba .

For the APC , there are a former deputy governor , Prof . Modupe Adelabu ; former

National Assembly member, Senator Babafemi Ojudu ; former commissioner , Alhaji

Ayodele Jinadu; oil magnate , Chief Remi Oguntuase ; former presidential aide , Mr .

Bodunde Adeyanju , and a former President of the Nigerian Union of Local

Government Employees, Chief Oluyemi Esan, among others .

Considering that the PDP won by a landslide in Ado Ekiti in 2014 , it may have an

advantage there .

IKERE

The APC ‘ warriors ’ in Ikere include five governorship aspirants: Dr . Wole Oluyede,

Chief Sesan Fatoba , Mr . Kola Alabi , Mr . Funminiyi Afuye and Mr . Muyiwa

Olumilua .

Others include a former old Ondo State Governor , Bamidele Olumilua , and a

House of Assembly member , Mr . Sunday Akinniyi .

Leading the PDP forces in Ikere include the deputy governor and the PDP

governorship candidate , Olusola ; House of Assembly member representing Ikere 1,

Mr . Wale Ayeni ; Commissioner for Women Affairs , Mrs. Olayinka Ogundayomi ;

current Ikere Local Government Chairman, Mr . Aderemi Ayeni ; and a former

chairman of the local government , Mr . Ola Alonge .

Ikere is the hometown of the PDP governorship candidate and he is expected to

win there .

However , the town has three other governorship candidates including two former

governors – Chief Adebisi Omoyeni of Mega Party of Nigeria and Chief Abiodun

Aluko of Accord Party. Both of them left the PDP over the crisis that trailed the

alleged imposition of Olusola by Fayose before the primary was conducted . A

young candidate , Mr . Tosin Ajibare , of Independent Democrats is also vying for

governorship .

But with the developmental projects brought to Ikere by Fayose ’ s administration ,

the odds favour the PDP .

Verdict : PDP

IDO / OSI

The PDP has won consistently in this area since 1999 but the winning streak

appears to be under threat for the first time in 19 years. This is because many of

those who made it happen for the PDP in the past have left the party. They include

a former governor of the state, Segun Oni; a former Minister of Education , Prof .

Tunde Adeniran , who has moved to the Social Democratic Party.

However , it must be stated that Oni had joined the APC before the 2014 election

that the PDP won. Many also argued that Adeniran ’ s influence did not achieve

much in the election.

The PDP gladiators in the area include Secretary to the State Government , Dr .

Modupe Alade ; House of Representatives member for Ido/ Osi / Moba / Ilejemeje

Federal Constituency , Mr . Thaddeus Aina ; House of Assembly member for Ido/ Osi

1 ; Mr . Jacob Olayode ; House of Assembly member for Ido/ Osi 2 , Mr . Abiola Jeje ,

and Commissioner for Works , Mrs. Funmilayo Ogun .

Verdict : PDP

MOBA

This local government area used to be considered as a stronghold of the

‘ progressives ’, but it went to the PDP in the 2014 election. It is believed that the

contest will be stiff this time round . The PDP will be relying on the Speaker of the

state House of Assembly, Mr . Kola Oluwawole ; House of Assembly member for

Moba 2 , Mr . Badejo Anifowose and Commissioner for Information , Mr . Lanre

Ogunsuyi, to deliver the local government area to the party.

Leading the APC onslaught are: a former Assembly member Mr . Olajide Olaniyi ; a

former Moba Local Government Area Chairman, Mr . David Olusoga ; a former

Senior Special Assistant to Fayemi on Legal Matters , Mr . Ibrahim Olanrewaju ; and

a veteran politician , Chief Michael Atejioye .

Considering that nothing much has changed in the local government , the PDP is at

an advantage.

Verdict : PDP

ILEJEMEJE

The PDP chieftains in this area include the senator representing Ekiti North , Duro

Fasey ; , House of Assembly member for Ilejemeje , Mrs. Cecilia Dada ; and the local

government chairman , Mr . Ebenezer Oladipupo .

On the APC side are Afenifere chieftain and Second Republic Senator , Chief Ayo

Fasanmi ; a former lawmaker , Mr . Segun Erinle ; a former local government

chairman , Prince Adegoroye Bamigboye ; and a former commissioner , Mr .

Folorunso Olabode .

The PDP may still retain the local government area .

EKITI EAST

Leading the PDP in the local goverment are Senate Deputy Minority Whip , Mrs.

Biodun Olujimi; House of Assembly member for Ekiti East 1 , Mr . Ojo Ade Fajana ;

House of Assembly member for Ekiti East 2 , Mr . Dare Pelemo ; a former House of

Assembly member, Mr . Dele Ajibola ; and Commissioner for Lands and Housing ,

Mr . Taelolu Otitoju .

The APC chieftains working to deliver the area to their party include a former

Speaker , Mr . Femi Bamisile ; a former commissioner , Mr . Apalara Wole - Adewumi ;

a former lawmaker / council chairman , Mr . Rotimi Ajidara ; and former Assembly

members , Mr . Akinloye Akinyemi and Mr . Gbenga Falaye .

The battle is seen more as a battle between Olujimi and Bamisile .

Verdict : PDP

EKITI WEST

Leading the fight for the PDP is Fayose ’ s Special Assistant on New Media and

Public Communications , Lere Olayinka ; House of Assembly Deputy Speaker , Sina

Animasaun; former Deputy Speaker , Olusegun Adewumi ; Commissioner for

Agriculture , Kehinde Odebunmi; current chairman of the local government area ,

Mr . Francis Ayodele ; and his predecessor , Mr . Kolawole Omotunde .

The APC bigwigs expected to be on the field for the party include the state

chairman of the party , Chief Olajide Awe ; former lawmakers , Mr . Gbenga

Odebunmi and Mr . Kayode Fasakin ; a former chairman of the local government ,

Mr . Tajudeen Akingbolu; and a former Attorney General , Mr . Wale Fapohunda .

Verdict : APC / PDP

EKITI SOUTH WEST

Here , the APC received many PDP members into its fold which may be the

deciding factor. Fayemi ’ s foot soldiers in this council area include a former Chief

of Staff , Yemi Adaramodu ; a former lawmaker , Tope Agidi ; and former chairmen

of the local government , Mr . Genge Kola and Dr . Azeez Olaniyan .

On the side of the PDP are the chairman of the local government , Mr . Lanre

Omolase ; House of Assembly member for Ekiti South West 1 ; Mr . Wale Onigiobi ;

House of Assembly member for Ekiti West 2 , Mr . Michael Adedeji; Commissioner

for Education, Mr . Jide Egunjobi , and Alhaji Gani Bankole .

APC has an advantage.

IKOLE

A former Deputy Governor , Chief Paul Alabi , and House of Representatives

member, Mr . Kehinde Agboola , are expected to lead Fayose ’ s foot soldiers .

Among the APC stalwarts expected to make a difference are the suspended House

of Assembly Minority Leader , Chief Gboyega Aribisogan ; a former lawmaker , Chief

Adebayo Morakinyo, and a former Civil Service Commission Chairman, Alhaji

Afolabi Ogunlayi.

Verdict : Slim chance for the APC

IREPODUN / IFELODUN

This local government area is the home base of Governor Fayose and former

Governor Adeniyi Adebayo and they will want to win it for their party. Fayose

defeated Adebayo in the 2003 governorship election and won again in 2014 .

Verdict : PDP has a great chance but it will be an election battleground .

IJERO

This is a PDP zone but the defection of many of its members to other parties may

have weakened its chances here . Former House of Assembly Majority Leader , Mr .

Lai Oke, and the party’ s Women Leader , Mrs . Yemisi Afolabi , are leading the fight

for the party here . But the APC also has chieftains that include a former House of

Assembly Chief Whip , Mrs. Omowumi Ogunlola , and a former governorship

aspirant , Mr . Kayode Ojo, there to fight it out .

It will be a herculean task for the APC to change the narrative.

EFON

Fayose ’ s henchmen are led by the Director - General of Kolapo Olusola Campaign

Organisation , Chief Bisi Kolawole; a member of the state House of Assembly, Mr .

Afolabi Akanni , and a former chairman of the local government , Chief Idowu

Akinyele .

The APC ’ s chieftains here include a former Executive Secretary of Petroleum

Product Pricing Regulatory Agency / Petroleum Technology Development Fund , Dr .

Oluwole Oluleye ; a former Deputy Speaker , state House of Assembly, Mr . Oladapo

Karonwi ; and a former lawmaker , Mr . Folorunso Ogundele .

The odds favour the PDP .

EMURE

Among the leaders of the PDP is the current Attorney General , Mr . Kolapo Kolade.

But the APC has former commissioners: Chief Dele Okeya and Mr . Debo Ajayi ,

among its leading forces . Considering the link between Emure and Ise – the town

of former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye , who left the PDP for

the APC , the opposition party ( APC ) in the state is at an advantage.

ISE / ORUN

This has been a PDP stronghold since 1999 but the trend could change in the

forthcoming poll . Adeyeye ; a former Secretary to the State Government , Chief

Afolabi Ojuawo , a former Attorney General , Mr . Owoseni Ajayi , and a lawmaker ,

Mr . Adeniran Alagbada , led key PDP members and leaders to join the APC . The

APC has a great chance .

GBONYIN

The PDP troops are led by a former Acting Governor / Speaker , Mr . Olatunji

Odeyemi; House of Representatives member representing Gbonyin / Emure/ Ekiti

East , Mr . Akin Awodumila ; current SUBEB Commissioner , Mrs. Sade Akinrinmola ;

current chairman of the local government , Mr . Tope Ogidi , and a lawmaker , Mr .

Ayodele Fajemilehin .

The APC firepower is led by a former Senate Minority Whip , Senator Gbenga

Aluko ; a former House of Representatives member and a Deputy Director - General

of Fayemi Campaign , Mr . Bamidele Faparusi . Faparusi is also a former

governorship aspirant .

Anything could happen in this local government area .

OYE

This is Fayemi ’ s home base and he will be complemented by party stalwarts like

Senator Ayo Arise; a former House of Representatives member, Mr . Bimbo

Daramola ; a former lawmaker , Mr . Sunday Adunmo ; and a former Secretary to

the State Government , Dr. Gani Owolabi .

The PDP gladiators are led by the House of Assembly member representing Oye 1,

Dr . Samuel Omotoso ; his counterpart in Oye 2 , Mr . Tunji Akinyele ; and Oye Local

Government Chairman, Mr . Sunday Alonge .

Verdict : APC