Ekiti: I Will Be First Woman Gov’nor- Olujimi

By James Orji

Senator Buidun Olujimi has declared her quest to emerge as the first elected female Governor of Ekiti state.

Olujimi, a former Deputy Governor of the Sunshine state as Ekiti is widely known would become the second woman governor in the country, if she wins next year’s governorship election, after Virginia Etiaba who became the Governor of Anambra state following the sack of former Governor Peter Obi by the court in 2006.

Basically, those that have ruled the state in elective capacity since the country returned to democracy in 1999 had been men. They include Ayodele Fayose and Segun Oni.

The senator is one of the most prominent politicians from the state, having been a one time Deputy Governor under the administration of former Governor Ayodele Fayose, and has represented the state in the National Assembly for years. She intends to translate her popularity among the people of the state to victory in the 2022 governorship election, she said.

Senator Olujimi representing Ekiti South in the National Assembly said she is prepared to change a situation where the governorship has become an all men affair , while speaking in Omuo Ekiti, in Ekiti East Local Government Area at the weekend.

She said the ruling APC at both the federal and state levels have failed to deliver election promises to Nigeria, adding that people are tired of the party.

Her party, the PDP will emerge winner in next year’s election, she stated, as long as wrong candidate is not fielded to be the flag bearer of the party in the make or mar election.

According to her, the PDP “will defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress if our party does not put a wrong foot forward by electing the wrong candidate as the flagbearer.”

On her credentials, Olujimi said she has what it “takes to govern Ekiti State considering my capacity and rich political experience as a former National Publicity Secretary of defunct All Peoples Party, Special Adviser, Deputy Governor, Commissioner, Deputy Senate Minority Leader and Minority Leader.

“My intention is borne out of compassion to uplift my people from the poverty line, see how we can change the narratives by giving them a new lease of life in such a way that they will live a meaningful life.”

There are many prospective candidates intending to succeed Governor Kayode Fayemi in the state’s government house. They include Prof. Kolapo Olushola, the immediately past Deputy Governor under the administration of Governor Fayose, a former Governor Segun Oni, amongst others.