A former governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose, has joined two other aspirants- Caleb Olubolade and Adedayo Adeyeye, in the race for the June 21 governorship election in the state.
He picked the expression of interest/ nomination forms on Thursday at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headquarters in Abuja, ahead of the election.
Fayose, who stormed the PDP Wadata Plaza with dozens of his supporters spoke to reporters shortly after picking the forms, saying “In line with the guideline of PDP and in fulfilling all righteousness, I have done what is required and the form has been obtained”.
He spoke on the consensus arrangement being canvassed by some chieftains in the state, saying he was against it and enjoined the leadership of the PDP to allow the primaries as promised.
His words, “From day one I have been anti-consensus. The party said there would be no consensus and I have always said if you defeat me I will shake your hands.
“The party has reiterated they would conduct a free and fair primary. If I defeat you, there will be less acrimony. You will know that you were defeated in the free and fair context.
“So to me, I have made my position known. But this afternoon, the party, through the national organizing committee reaffirm that the party will conduct a free and fair primaries.
“Whosoever wins the primary becomes a candidate of the party and I want to tell you, there is none of the aspirant that is not qualified.
“They are my brothers irrespective of the contest. In contest, we will still be brothers and Ekiti people. So to me, I will do all it takes to ensure PDP comes first, then our interest”.
Asked he would dump the PDP should he lose the party ticket, Fayose said, “It is too late for me to cross carpet.
“If I don’t win I will not cross carpet. I am no longer a small boy, a former governor, 54 years, and I want to take the decision in good faith”.
Fayose also expressed optimism that he would send the incumbent, Kayode Fayemi packing from the Government House if given the PDP ticket.
Fayose said, “The South West is not the home of APC. Don’t forget that APC operates like a cult. If they bring you they put you in the cooler. I am telling you PDP will win Ekiti state.
The APC came in because of the internal wrangling in PDP which led to the Salami gate, the judicial misappropriation.
“Let me say clearly again that the South West is not the home of APC. Up and until today, PDP still controls respectable politicians.
“I defeated the godfather of Fayemi, former governor Segun Oni before what more the godson?”
