The Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has said that notwithstanding his support for the incumbent Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, he will support whoever emerges the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship flag bearer for the July 14, 2018 governorship election in the state outside his choice candidate.
Fayose who spoke in a television programme monitored in Lagos by our correspondent however said that he had no regret whatsoever for declaring support for his deputy to succeed him adding that as a Nigerian, he was entitled to support whoever he wanted to support.
In his words,” I am a siting Governor today by the grace of God, one, as a Nigerian, I am entitled to support whoever I want to support and I am saying it again without minding where other stakeholders stand, we have sat, we have discussed and I have made it public, it is not a news now that I am supporting Prof. Kolapo Olusola and I am not sorry again.
“This guy worked with me as a Deputy Governor, is it all the time that we throw all the Deputies to the dustbin? Do I go out there and pick somebody who is not? I am telling you the guy has done well”
On the allegation that he was supporting Olusola because he felt he can manipulate him, he said,”You know I cannot manipulate him, the buck stops at his table, beyond what people say, somebody must support somebody, somebody gave me the opportunity to be here. This man is a Professor. In education, I met Ekiti at number 34 in Nigeria, in my first tenure, I met Ekiti at number 35, with the support of this young man, Ekiti came first in NECO in 2016 and 2017. So, I should throw this good hand into dustbin? Ekiti are looking up to me to give them leadership”.
Asked what happens if his deputy fails to make it through primary election, the Governor retorted,” Whoever wins the primary, I am going to support the person, I will never abandon anyone who wins at the primary. I am telling you today expressly, it is not a do or die thing. Olusola is PDP, Adeyeye is PDP, Olujimi is PDP, there is no way I will not support them if they win this primary.
“Adeyeye is another qualified Ekiti man, Olujimi is another qualified young lady but at the end of the day, one of them will win this election, whosoever that wins this election, I will stand with them”.
He maintained that whatever anyone was saying don’t bother him as according to him, he was waiting for July 14 for Nigerians to see what will happen in Ekiti adding,” I don’t use to argue until election day, even a man in Ekiti, there are about 30 parties that said they want to contest, tell me, are they all going to win the election? I can’t be talking to dogs in my house”.
Reminded that he was so conscious that PDP will win the gubernatorial election in Ekiti state, he said, “I am more than confident, if it is not animals that will vote, if it is not that they will announce result in Abuja, probably, you have not known the politics in Ekiti, even if I support anybody from my household, they will still support that person.
“I am telling you, I am more than popular, I am with my people. I am the first Ekiti son, Fayose to defeat two incumbents in two different attempts and my name is Ayodele Peter Fayose, despite all the wars they waged against me. I am the first Ekiti son to become governor twice in Ekiti. So, by God’s grace again, I will become the first Ekiti governor that will find his successor from his own party”.
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