Ekiti: Ojudu denies being Buhari’s candidate, female aspirant rules out Fayemi, Oni, others

Ahead of governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti state, Special Adviser to tne President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojodu, has denied speculation that he is being backed by President Muhammadu Buhari, to fly the ticket of the party.

This is coming as the only female governorship aspirant of APC, Dr. Mojisola Yahaya-Kolade, rules out the possibility of being defeated by any of the male aspirants which include Engr. Segun Oni, Kayode Fayemi, Babafemi Ojodu among others.
Addressing press conference Thursday, shortly after he picked his nomination form at the APC national Secretariat in Abuja, Ojodu described the insinuation as an insult to his personality to be called Buhari’s candidate.
“Let me say this, I am not the President’s candidate. I’m nobody’s candidate. The president is a father to all of us. I have a history in this country. I started fighting the military at the age of 27. I wrote my first ‘will’ at the age of 29. I was locked up 15 times between 1993 and 1998. I am a man of myself. I fought Babangida, I fought Abacha, I fought Obasanjo, I campaigned for democracy, I campaigned for good governance, I campaigned for human rights and I suffered for it.
“I was in prison for nine months, I wore one cloth for nine month. That cloth I wore for nine month is in the museum at the epicentre of Ekiti state.
“So, at my level, at 57, I am not a cripple, I am not a baby, I don’t need crutches, I don’t have to be President’s candidate. In fact, I am coming too late. I have enough knowledge and education to be President of this country. Therefore, it is an insult to say somebody is carrying me, I don’t need anybody to carry me.
“President Buhari is our leader, he is our president and he is the leader of our party. If you know him very well, he’s a fair-minded person. If I decide today, if his wife is from Ekiti and she’s in this race with me, President Buhari will still be fair to all of us. That’s the man I know. So, perish that thought. If anybody comes to you to say, he is being backed or presented by the President, know that person is a bloody liar.”
In her own, Dr Yaya-Kolade, said she was on the race to bridge the gap between the people of the state and the government and to improve the well-being of the people of the state.
She also said she would decrease unemployment rate in the state by creating employment opportunities for its teaming youths.
“Quality education is necessary and a must to bring up youths in the state, our health care is terrible and my administration. If elected, my administration will bring up the health care standard in the state to make it apar with that of Lagos state.”
She expressed confidence that she would get the party´s ticket at the primary slated for May 5, adding that she had the backing of the women of the state and the generality of the people.

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