Former Ekiti State governor and current National Deputy Chairman, (South) of the ruling All Progressive Party, (APC), Chief Segun Oni, at the weekend, declared that he would return Ekiti state to an APC-Controlled state if he is given the chance of becoming candidate of the party ahead of next year’s gubernatorial election.
DAILY POST reports that Segun Oni spoke at a news conference at his Ifaki-Ekiti country home to herald his official declaration and expression of interest coming up tomorrow, Monday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
He boasted that he would defeat the incumbent, Ayo Fayose and whoever is his anointed candidate in the PDP, in all the 16 Local Government Council Areas in the state, the same way, he (Fayose) defeated immediate past governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi of the APC in last election.
He said there was nothing so spectacular in the acclaimed political wizardry of Fayose who twice defeated two former incumbent governors of the state at different times.
“About Fayose, this is not a game of arrogance. He is not larger than life as being speculated.
“He, along with others once deployed their political machinery against me in certain political contest but if you recall, I still emerged victorious, so what are you talking about”?
He blamed irregular payment of workers’ salaries in Ekiti state on wrong prioritization of government’s policies and programmes, saying it was irrational for a state governnor to be building multi-billion naira overhead bridge where workers welfare and wellbeing are left unattended.
He explained that his interest to contest the state’s number one position, was in response to the growing clamour for his candidature by many residents and major stakeholders, who he claimed told him his services were earnestly needed.
He said he would use his return to power to instil a new social and economic order in the state as well as correct certain mistakes and errors he made during his first-term tenure, which was later terminated by the Appeal Court.
Oni declared that though his current position as a deputy national chairman of the ruling party commanded respect, glamour and high volume of honour, he preferred to be a state governor, so as to be able to use the platform to uplift lives as well as build the right type of social infrastructures.
“Though I am not hungry for power, i prefer to be governor of my state than being something else. I am not the type who prefer glamour to service”, he said.
Oni warned those who might think he would get back to office and shift ground on his well known character of not throwing government money around to bury their thoughts, saying prudence management of the state’s resources remained sacrosanct on his plans for the state.
He promised to make doctrine of fairness, empowerment of local contractors,worker’s welfare, youth development and capacity building, as well as massive turn-around of infrastructure, the hallmark of his administration if voted into power.
On whether his ambition would not cause frosty relationship between him and his successor in office, current Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who is equally believed to be interested in re-contesting the gubernatorial poll, Segun Oni claimed ignorance about such ambition.
According to him, Fayemi had never told him that he was coming into the race, but said he would gladly welcome him whenever he does so, saying every qualified individuals has the legitimate right to aspire to any office in the land without inhibition.
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