Ahead of the 2022 governorship election in Ekiti State, about seven aspirants have obtained the expression of interest and nomination forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele, popularly known as MOB leading six other aspirants who are vying for the post in the 2022 election under the party.
Others who have obtained the form include Fayemi anointed candidate; Biodun Oyebanji, former Minister of Works; Prince Dayo Adeyeye, House of Representatives member; Rt (Hon) Olufemi Bamisile, Fayemi’s aide; Makinde Araoye, 2018 runner up party candidate; Kayode Ojo and Demola Popoola.
Bamidele and Araoye purchased their forms at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja on Tuesday.
Newsflash Nigeria had reported that a group known as Ekiti Concerned Professionals had given Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele a cheque of N22.5 million to purchase his expression of interest and nomination forms.
The group led by its Chairman, Mr Lekan Ajisafe, made the presentation at the National Assembly’s office of the senator in Abuja on Monday, December 13.
In a statement, he issued after Bamidele purchased the form, said he stands a better chance of picking the ticket because he is loved by the people.
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“As to my own aspirations in Ekiti, I have no doubt that whether it is direct primary or it is indirect primary you know, I stand a good chance by the grace of God to win the primary,” he said.
“I know that I am loved by the people of Ekiti state and I know that my own aspiration goes beyond pasting posters on the walls in Ekiti because I am a poster that is already posted on the minds of the people of Ekiti state.
“I’m looking forward to a very decent governorship race, a race that is popular, a race that is decent, a race that is driven by ideas and on issues and a race that is violence-free.
“We have in place a governor who is well educated, who is respected by all, who understands the language of democracy and development, who I also know will ensure that there is an atmosphere for everybody to aspire and I believe that Ekiti has become a cynosure of all eyes in this country and a lot of people are interested in what is about to happen in Ekiti.”
Newsflash Nigeria had earlier reported that two aspirants; Kayode Ojo and Otunba Demola Popoola had obtained their form on Thursday, November 18.
Kayode Ojo and Demola Popoola made the first two governorship aspirants obtain the form under the platform of the APC.
Dayo Adeyeye, the former Minister of Works and National Chairman, Southwest Agenda for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidential aspiration codenamed (SWAGA) was the third aspirant to obtain governorship form.
Biodun Oyebanji, Fayemi’s anointed candidate and the former Secretary to the Ekiti State Government (SSG) had obtained the governorship nomination form and Expression of interest form on December 8. The former SSG was the fourth aspirant to obtain the form.
Olufemi Bamisile, former speaker of the house of Assembly and current member of the House of Representatives obtained their form on Monday, December 13. The lawmaker was the fifth aspirant obtaining the form.
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The price for the nomination form has been pegged for N20 million and the expression of interest form will go for N2.5 million for the governorship aspirants.
The female aspirants and physically challenged aspirants will pay 50% of the prescribed fees for each position.
Newsflash Nigeria had earlier reported that the sale of the nomination forms commence Tuesday, November 16, 2021, with the sales of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms while Tuesday, January 11, 2022, is the last date for the submission of forms.
Also, the APC will screen all the aspirants to ensure their eligibility on January 13, 2022.
The certificates of eligibility will be given to those who qualify to contest the governorship primary election on January 17, 2022.
The appeal committee for those disqualified by the screening committee will take place on January 19, 2022.
The governorship primary election will take place on January 22, 2022.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed the governorship election in Ekiti for June 18, 2022.
