Barrister Kole Ajayi a.k.a Aberekolokunludi is a household name in Ekiti State. He is a scientist turned lawyer and a gubernatorial candidate of Accord in the 2014 Governorship election in Ekiti State. As a foundation member of AD in Ekiti State, he has returned to the APC two years ago and currently pursuing his Gubernatorial ambition under the APC. Kole Ajayi spoke extensively with National Insight on the political development in Ekiti and his chances of winning the next gubernatorial primaries. Excerpts:
please can we know you sir ?
I am Kole Ajayi, a scientist turned lawyer. I was born in Ado-Ekiti into the family of late Mr Oluwafemi Ajayi from Ogbon Oba compound in Ado-Ekiti and princess Mary Ajayi (Nee Adelabu) from the Atewogboye ruling house in Ado-Ekiti. I had all my Educational pursuits in Ekiti from primary to tertiary level and I have always been involved in various selfless governmental, community and political activities at one time or the other since the creation of the State.
I was once the National President of the State University’s Alumni Association and a member of the Governing council of the University. At a stage I was appointed a member of Ekiti State Government Advisory council. I flew the flag of AD (Alliance for Democracy) in 2003 general elections in my pursuit to represent Ado-Ekiti constituency 1 in Ekiti State House of Assembly when Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo was seeking second term. In arrears of community development, I was elected the public relations officers of all Ado-Ekiti people at home and abroad and I became the voice of all Ado-Ekiti people for good seven years.
In a nutshell, I am a homegrown politician/professional who understands the terrain in all ramifications. In 2014, I flew the gubernatorial flag of Accord and made a lot of impact in the political terrain after which I rejoined the APC two years ago.
What is the political situation in Ekiti now?
It is just as expected. The APC is set to flush out the current insensitive PDP administration in Ekiti State and the beauty is that Ekiti people are set to effect the historic change.
Don’t you feel this present administration is better than the last APC Government?
This is far from the truth. The situation in Ekiti now is very worrisome and our innocent people have been perpetually decimated economically which they don’t really deserve. How do you see a situation where workers are not paid for almost 8 months and the government is spending lavishly on projects that are not directly adding any economic value to the lives of the people. To me, any project or programme that would not directly or indirectly bring food to the table of the masses and take care of their basic needs of life is a waste of resources.
The last APC administration was far better than this because the issue of workers welfare was paramount and salaries were given prompt priorities in view of the fact that Ekiti work force occupy almost 80% of the entire population hence the state economy relies so much on monies flowing from their pockets until we have a government that would venture into proper arears of ecomonic development.
What is the situation now in APC?
To me, the situation is normal. Every aspirant is going about his normal activities to strategise for victory but you know its normal to have intrigues and bickerings and I pray the best candidate emerges.
Is anybody taking the lead now?
As it is now, it is nobody’s game and you know that its always a game of surprises and don’t also forget the factor of grace.
People seem not to be comfortable with the involvement of some former Governors in the race. What is your take on this
To me, I don’t see any abnormality in that because they have the constitutional rights to contest and they can’t force themselves back to the throne without going through the primaries and general elections which will require endorsement and this is left to the Ekiti people.
But to me, I don’t see any former Governor as a threat because the game is not by strength but by grace. The omnipotent God that ensured their emergence as Governors then when they were relatively nobodies without personal strength is still very much on the throne.
As a lawyer, what is your take on the ban placed on Fayemi by the panel of enquiry?
The law is very clear and the supreme court has pronounced on that severally that it is only a competent court of jurisdiction that can disqualify any aspirant or candidate from contesting, hence the panel’s verdict of Fayemi lacks substance and does not have any effect on his eligibility to run.
If you emerge as the Governor of Ekiti State, what are your basic plans in a nutshell?
The thrust of my administration will be “workers first” because they form 80% of the body fabric of the entity called Ekiti.The other of priority will be focused on economic programmes that would serve as alternative revenue boost through public private partnership in investment in agriculture, mining, technology and tourism that will be targeted towards engaging our teaming unemployed youths for them to have a meaningful living and promising future.
