2023: Ex-Deputy Gov Eleka Withdraws From Senatorial Race

The Former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Professor Kolapo Olusola, fondly called Eleka has announced his withdrawal from the 2023 Senatorial race.

Eleka, in a statement he personal signed on Thursday and addressed to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.

Eleka, who contested for the last governorship primary election in which he came third, revealed the reason he withdrew from the Ekiti South Senatorial race in the letter sighted by NEWSFLASH NIGERIA.

Eleka based his decision on the alleged betrayal by the former boss, Ayo Fayose.

He noted that Fayose, who openly endorsed him for the race shortly after he lost the state’s PDP governorship primary to Bisi Kolawole, had discreetly aided another person from the same constituency to pick the same senatorial form.

The former deputy governor said his initial decision to contest the Senatorial seat followed pressure from his former boss, Ayo Fayose who subsequently chose to back another candidate for the same position.

He said “I wish to notify the national leadership of our esteemed party of my voluntary withdrawal from participating in the forthcoming People’s Democratic Party senatorial contest in Ekiti State.

“Your Excellency will recall that I contested for the last governorship primary election in which I came third. As a patriotic party man who is determined to protect the interest and ethos of the party, I congratulated the winner, Otunba Bisi Kolawole who is currently the candidate of the party.

“It is expedient to note, however, that the senatorial ambition was the making of former Governor Ayodele Fayose. I received emissaries from him to contest. After much pressure from concerned stakeholders, I decided to pick up the challenge to represent the party in my senatorial district.

“To my great surprise, Mr Ayodele Fayose who openly endorsed my candidacy for senate in my town, discretely aided another person from the same constituency to pick the same senatorial form.

“The above left me with no choice but to consider his endorsement as a facade and decoy.

“Having consulted widely on the foregoing with my teeming supporters across the sixteen (16) Local Governments, I have decided not to dwell where there is no sincerity of purpose but an arrogant display of deception and hence, pull out from the contest.

“The integrity I have built over the years is beyond any ambition. I am available for further arrangements that will unite the party in the build-up to the general election, slated to hold on 18th June 2022.

“Your Excellency is hereby assured of my utmost commitment to the party at the state and beyond”, Eleka said.

On April 2, NEWSFLASH NIGERIA reported Former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, had declared support for his deputy, Professor Kolapo Olusola-Eleka for the Ekiti South Senatorial seat.

Fayose made this declaration during a town hall meeting with PDP stakeholders in the Ise/Orun Local Government Area of the state on Saturday, April 2, 2022.

The former governor said his endorsement of Prof Olusola-Eleka will however not prevent other members of the party from contesting the primary election.

He said “The endorsement of Eleka is in the interest of the PDP and it will not shut the door against anyone.

“It is our position that Ikere Ekiti, being the second largest town in the State, cannot be left bare in the scheme of things.

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“Therefore, Senator Biodun Olujimi, the present occupier of the seat should see this decision beyond the personal ambition of any individual.

“More so that she has benefitted immensely from the party by going to the House of Representatives and Senate for two terms.”

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