Deputy Governor of Ekiti State , Prof Kolapo Olusola, on Tuesday emerged the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the July 14 governorship election.
Even the stepping down of Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Biodun Olujimi could not salvage the situation, as Olusola polled 1,190 votes to defeat his close rival and former Minister of Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, who got a total votes of 771.
Governor Ayodele Fayose had on September 6, 2017 endorsed his Deputy to succeed him, a development which generated a fierce battle between Olusola and other aspirants.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, while announcing the results hailed the contestants and delegates for displaying maturity.
He said: “By the power vested in me as the Returning Officer, I hereby return Prof Kolapo Olusola as the duly nominated gubernatorial candidate of the PDP for Ekti State governorship election, having scored the highest number of votes cast in this election.
“I want to congratulate Prof Kolapo Olusola for his victory, I wish him well”.
Tactically taunting Ekiti APC over the violence that marred its primary and rendered it nugatory, Okowa added that: “If you think this exercise was not peaceful, just look back and examine what happened in the past”
He thanked Fayose for his support, particularly for the security men and members of the panel, saying this accounted for success of the poll.
The Delta helmsman commended Fayose for playing a fatherly role, urging party members to immediately bury the hatchets elicited by the scramble for the governorship ticket by rallying support for Olusola for the PDP to be able to retain Ekiti.
He thanked the party members for their patience and heads of security agencies for doing a good job, saying : “we thank you for doing a good job”.
Responding, Olusola said he would continue to display loyalty to the party and he thanked those who facilitated his victory.
“I humbly thanked all our party stalwarts who made this victory possible, particularly, Governor Ayodele Fayose.
“I want to thank the doggedness of my co-contestant, Prince Adeyeye. History will have it that he has put in his best for a better Ekiti.
“I am determined to move Ekiti forward by sustaining those legacies that were started by our amiable governor.
“We are aware of the plans of the interlopers who wanted to grab power through the backdoor. Whether they like it or not, we shall give them another 16-0 again with the support of Ekiti people.
“I thank Governor Fayose for standing firm behind me despite all odds, I shall eternally be grateful to you for this love”, he said.
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