Some youths in Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State have said they will resist the alleged imposition of deputy governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, on the electorate.
Rising from a meeting on Saturday at Omuo-Ekiti, headquarters of the local government area, the youth condemned the adoption of Olusola as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “sole candidate”.
They said the plan was masterminded by Governor Ayo Fayose.
Acting under the aegis of Ekiti East Youth Forum (EEYF), the group called for the conduct of a free, fair and transparent primary in which all aspirants would participate and eligible delegates allowed to elect a candidate of their choice.
Ekiti East is the home base of another PDP governorship aspirant and Senate Deputy Minority Whip Biodun Olujimi.
The senator has fallen out of favours with Fayose over her governorship ambition.
In a statement after the meeting, EEYF President Joel Rotimi and its Secretary, Oluwatimilehin Stephen, said the decision by a section of the PDP to adopt Olusola among several other aspirants was against the principle of fairness and justice.
The statement urged the national leadership of the PDP to intervene in the matter.
It said the crisis thrown up by the “surreptitious adoption” was capable of damaging the chances of the party in the 2018 governorship poll.
The statement reads: “The purported adoption of Olusola, even before the party releases its guidelines and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifts the ban on political campaign, was a pure charade and illegal. It will not stand.
“The action was masterminded by Governor Fayose to cover up his illegalities. It is a ploy to continue to rule Ekiti because he knows that the deputy governor is weak.
“It was unfortunate that Governor Fayose, who singlehandedly fought against consensus, is now imposing a candidate.
“We commend leaders, like Senator (Biodun) Olujimi, representing Ekiti South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, for opposing the move and we urge her to take steps to stop the illegal action.”
The adopted sole candidate, Prof. Olusola, has said he was not afraid of going into a primary election with other aspirants, expressing confidence of winning the party’s ticket at a shadow poll.
