Although the ruling ACN in the state led by Governor Kayode Fayemi won the by-election conducted to fill the vacant seat created by the demise of the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Saliu Adeoti, at the House of Assembly, Tuesday will offer the party the opportunity to know if those singing hosanna on October 15 have not changed their song to nail the party.
The governor who enjoyed tremendous support from the majority of the people of the state during his struggle to retrieve his stolen mandate from the ousted government is quite aware of the fickleness of the support of his people and, as such, has made deliberate move which would endear him to the people. Although Fayemi himself is not standing for election until 2014, his actions were intended to garner votes for his party’s candidates in the poll.
Some of those who will fly the flag of the ACN during the National Assembly poll are former Managing Editor of The News magazine, Mr. Babafemi Ojudu, former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, in Lagos State, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele popularly known as MOB, Chief Tony Adeniyi who was a member of Fayemi’s legal team at the election tribunals and Mr. Olu Adetunmbi.
MOB, who is seeking to represent the people of Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I at the House of Representatives, will contest against Mr. Tope Aluko of the PDP who is also from Iyin-Ekiti but the ACN candidate is expected to have an easy ride because of his popularity.
The election in Ekiti Central Senatorial District where Ojudu will slug it out with former Governor Ayo Fayose of the Labour Party, Mr. Kayode Alufa of the PDP and Mrs. Feyisayo Fajuyi of the All Nigeria Peoples Party is expected to be keener.
Ojudu, apart from being a chieftain of the ruling party will also enjoy support from Ado-Ekiti where he hails from. Also, the popularity of MOB who is from Iyin-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area will rub off on him.
Fayose, however, seems to be the highest hurdle before Ojudu. The former governor has a general acceptability in the state.
Another interesting contest will come from Ekiti North Senatorial District where Senator Ayo Arise of the PDP will run against Adetunmbi who is from Ifaki in Ido-Osi Local Government Area.
Arise, who is from Oye in Oye Local Government Area, enjoys the support of Oni, Chief Femi Akinyemi and former minister of Education, Prof. Babalola Borisade. But the ACN candidate will bank on the support of Fayemi and this will be boosted by the Secretary to the State Government and all the chairmen from the five local government councils.
Security arrangement must be tight in the senatorial district to forestall a repeat of what happened during the rerun of governorship poll in Ido-Osi LG where results were cancelled due to electoral malpractices. There was allegation of ballot snatching in Usi in Ido-Osi LG during last Saturday presidential poll.
In the House of Assembly elections, the ACN which now has 15 legislators against 11 by the PDP is expected to increase its number of lawmakers as the party still appears to be the toasted bride in the state.
Fayose, a revered politician in Ekiti politics had initially teamed up with Fayemi during the rerun to oust Oni but both of them have since parted ways. Some ACN candidates are obviously doting on the achievements of Fayemi administration as a launch pad for victory.
However, the fortunes of the ACN might be affected by Governor Fayemi style of appointment as some people had earlier expressed their reservations.
Notwithstanding, going by the ACN’s exploit in other states in the South West during the National Assembly poll, analysts believe that the party in Ekiti may, as well, win the ‘broom revolution’ in the state.
By FEMI MAKINDE Courtesy Of: Punch
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