His Eye on Ekiti Government House

                   Senator Gbenga Aluko

Senator Gbenga Aluko’s intention to view for Ekiti governorship on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, rests on many factors, writes Zacheaus Somorin

Despite the current political hegemony being enjoyed by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the South-west, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the regional emergent opposition, has been making relentless efforts at taking over the lost zone. Ekiti is however, one of them having fallen in the hands of the ‘progressives’ after a prolonged legal battle between Governor Kayode Fayemi and Mr. Olusegun Oni.

But the recent declaration by Senator Gbenga Aluko, scion of Prof. Sam Aluko, to vie for the governorship of the state next year when another election is due, to many, might alter the political permutations in the state. Taking into consideration his political profile as the only PDP candidate elected as Senator for the Ekiti South Senatorial District, at the start of the  Fourth Republic, his gubernatorial venture now, analysts contend, cannot be over-emphasised.

Fisoye Ajibola, a party member from Ido–Osi said at his formal declaration early this month in Ikere Ekiti that: “Those who know much about a thing should be allowed to do it. The Oba of Ido-Osi said if he had the power, he would personally install Aluko as the next governor of Ekiti State. We only needed to give him (Aluko) a simple majority of the delegates’ votes.” This statement was later corroborated by Ganiyu Bankole, Chairman, Ekiti South Senatorial district of the PDP.

But political watchers in the state are of the opinion that if the crisis in the ACN is not resolved in the earliest possible time, the opposition could rivet on the divided bloc to score cheap political goals and possibly, take over the Government House.

Aluko, at the declaration, told his supporters including the state immediate past PDP Chairman, Chief Ropo Adesanya- that he acknowledged the entry of other contestants into the race, and that he appreciated everyone from the south zone who had been fighting for fairness through zoning. “They are doing a great job. They should continue and not rest on their oars. They should not give up. Fair is fair. Our campaign organisation identifies with this. Nonetheless, we are ready to compete with anybody, both for the ticket and for the election proper.”

Aluko emphasised the need for sustenance of peace and unity of the party saying that he recognised “the executive of the party in the state as declared by the national headquarters of the PDP.” He therefore declared that all “must work for the unity of the PDP; we should have one party in Ekiti State.”

Earlier at Ode Ekiti, headquarters of Gbonyin Local Government Area (LGA), Aluko reiterated that it would only be too hard for the party to wrest power from the incumbent if the perceived grudges amongst members were not resolved. He added that he had been particularly careful about an early declaration of intention because of his belief that a house divided against itself cannot stand, noting that the division and factional units in the party must be reconciled.

“In PDP, I know who I am going to run against. I am going to contest against Kayode Fayemi. The behavioural pattern of PDP would determine how strong or how weak the APC is. How we resolve our issues; how we pick candidates, etc. would be a factor in this. Elections are won and lost by non-party members who are in the majority in Nigeria.

“We will lose the election if we field a candidate from the Central senatorial district. Ekiti Central is very critical to the success of our party. Even when we have a good candidate, it won’t be easy to defeat Kayode Fayemi, let alone when we have a candidate that is not marketable.”

A former board member of Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) from Irepodun Local Government Area, Mrs. Remi Fadipe, said, in Yoruba: “Gbenga Aluko la nba lo lagbara olorun; South ni governor nlo (We are going with Gbenga Aluko in the name of the Lord; the governorship is going to South). Let’s show commitment to this cause.”

The party chairman, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, said: “I want to see more of his bulldozing power. This is the first aspirant to come here and tell us that he wants to run for governor. If it were left to me, I would say Gbenga Aluko take the ticket, but I have 1, 114 delegates to contend with. You won in 1999 when you were the Okanlawon of the Senate. You came, saw and conquered. May God guide you this time around too.”

The Chairman, North District of the PDP, Hon Tunde Adetifa, said: “Gbenga Aluko is the first aspirant that will formally come here to inform us of his intention to run for the office of governor. He is the first to bring his letter of intent,” while Omo-Oba Babajide added: “This letter will lead you to electoral success. We are pleased with the way you brought this letter of intent. Ekiti north might still be the one to decide who gets the ticket. We will support you.”

Despite being the first to declare his intention to contest as the governor of the state on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the current political situation in the party indicates that Aluko would contend with many other aspirants like Mr. Bimbo Owolabi, a pharmacist who hails from Ise-Ekiti, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, journalist and lawyer, Ayodele Fayose, businessman and former governor, Senator Ayo Arise, former senator and businessman and a former deputy governor of the state, Sikiru Lawal.

Others are Bisi Omoyeni, a banker, Chief Abiodun Aluko, an engineer, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, also a former deputy governor and Femi Bamisile, former Speaker of the state House of Assembly.

There are reports however that Akerele, who won the gubernatorial primary in 2007 before the party leaders ‘elected’ Oni, has not formally declared his intention, but may join the race soon.

The state’s ethnic laceration will however be a factor in determining who gets hat. For Senator Gbenga Aluko, that might be an advantage as some PDP leaders have been agitating that power shifts to the South, which historically, has never produced a governor.
Thus, Aluko’s declaration, analysts suggested, was to avoid a repeat of the party’s failure in Ondo State where gubernatorial candidates delayed so long before declaring their intention.

Unfortunately, the party is battling with factional and zoning crisis, just like ACN. The different factions are that of Segun Oni, Yinka Akerele, Ayodele Fayose and Caleb Olubolade co- exist. But despite the fact that some PDP members in the state have since accepted Ogundipe as chairman, other party members loyal to the Oni group, have yet bought into the leadership.