Ekiti 2014: Aspirants threaten to dump PDP

Samuel Ogidan

The crisis rocking the Ekiti state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the emergence of Ayo Fayose as the party flag bearer, yesterday took another dimension as some of the aspirants, who also contested for the ticket threatened to leave the party if Fayose remains the party’s candidate.
Apart from leaving the party, it was also noted that some PDP leaders in the state will either defect to the opposition parties or tacitly work for the opposition party.

Sen. Gbenga Aluko, who emerged consensus candidate of the other aspirants last Friday after the 13 other aspirants endorsed him through a peer rating arrangement, disclosed this in Abuja yesterday at a press briefing.
He said that President Goodluck Jonathan will be the biggest loser if the PDP loses Ekiti as it will pave way for the loss of Osun.
Aluko also said that the 13 aspirants have agreed to forward his name to President Jonathan as a  replacement for Ayo Fayose ahead of the June 21 election, citing the Electoral Act which creates a window for the replacement of candidate within a stipulated period.

The list of aspirants who endorsed Aluko as contained in a communique signed by Chairman of PDP in Ekiti State Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe, include:Adeyanju Bodunde, Adeyeye Adebayo, Adubiaro Abibat, Ajayi Deji, Aluko Abiodun.
Others are Aribisala Adewale, Bejide Oluwadare, Obafemi Peter, Ogunbolude Ropr, Ogundipe Modupe, Olubolade Caleb and Omoyeni Adebisi who sent a representative.
Fielding questions from newsmen, Aluko said “the party is undergoing serious meltdown. Even this morning people are calling me asking me what is happening. 11 local government chairmen out of 16, 12 women leaders out of 16 and eight youth leaders out of 16 are talking with the opposition party.  Some of us will stay in the party but we are representing people not ourselves.