Traditional rulers from the three senatorial districts in Ekiti State have urged all political parties in the state and particularly the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to ensure aspirants who would emerge as their parties’ governorship candidates in the coming primaries should come from the southern senatorial district of the State.
“Whichever party produces a Southern candidate, we will support,” the monarch declared.
The monarchs made known their demands today, during a visit to the State Governor, Dr Ayodele Fayose, at the Osuntokun lodge of the government house in Ado Ekiti, spoke through the Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo.
The monarchs were led by the Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo, included the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Samuel Adu Alagbado; Ologotun of Ogotun Ekiti, Oba Samuel Ajibade; Onire of Ire Ekiti, Oba Victor Adeleke Bobade; Alare of Are Ekiti, Oba Boluwaji Adebiyi, among others.
The traditional leaders, who insisted that they were not particular about who the candidate will be, said that “it is the turn of the Southern senatorial district since Ekiti State belonged to all the Senatorial districts.
Speaking at the meeting, the Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo said; “We want to urge all political parties to make sure that their candidates are from the Southern part of the State because this part has been marginalized since the creation of the State. Our concern stems from the fact that we all should be seen as allowing fairness and justice to hold sway.
“It is believed that if we all have that concern and interest, we should have a governor from the South as that would show fairness to all parties. When the South is not considered this time around, it would amount to marginalisation.
“We therefore appeal to all monarchs that we should choose and support a candidate that would continue the current works by the incumbent governor. Whichever party produces a Southern candidate, we will support,” he said.
Also speaking, the Arajaka of Igbara Odo, Oba Jaiyeola said: “We are here to speak with one voice that there is a particular part of Ekiti already marginalized in producing a governor. We are now appealing to all parties that their candidate must come from that Southern part.
“In Ekiti South, we have waited for too long, so we want a governor from the South. We are not particular about any candidate, but we just want all the parties to pick their candidates from the South.”
Also speaking, the Alare of Are Ekiti (Ekiti Central), Oba Boluwaji Adebiyi Ekiti said “all the Obas from Ekiti Central have thrown their weight behind someone from the Southern Senatorial district becoming the next governor based on the principle of fairness, equity and justice.”
Reacting to the resolution of the traditional rulers, Governor Fayose described the agitation as legitimate.
“The Obas that stand for justice have spoken and as the governor, I would only urge all the traditional rulers in the State to sell the agitation to their subjects and to follow it to a logical end,”, Fayose said.
Speaking on behalf of Ekiti North kings, the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunji said “we believe in the principle of justice and fairness. We are not standing here to be partisan but we are talking about justice. We are supporting a southern governor based on principle of fairness, justice and equity.”
Also expressing support, the Owatapa of Itapa Ekiti, Oba David Makanjuola, urged all the kings to galvanise support for the Ekiti South agenda.
The Alare of Are Ekiti, Oba Boluwade Adebiyi, who spoke the minds of kings from Ekiti North, described the agitation of the Ekiti south people as genuine which must be granted.
“People should support Ekiti South so that we don’t stay on each other’s neck. We are not saying a word in favour of a particular candidate or party but for us to remain as one people, let’s be fair to ourselves.”
Governor Fayose, who described the agitation as legitimate, advised the monarchs to spread the message.
He said, “I have only one vote, it is their duty to seek the support of the people. You can’t stop anybody from contesting, but their demand is legitimate.
“The Peoples Democratic Party is a party of the people. We realised the agitation was legitimate that was why we zoned our ticket to the south.”
