More Parties Likely To Participate In Ekiti Gov Election – Survey

By Ayodele Oni

There are indications that the number of political parties that will participate in the June Governorship election of Ekiti State may increase.

This follows anticipated defection of some Governorship aspirants to other parties after their failure to secure their party tickets.

The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP),had held its Primary Election on Wednesday, January 22, while that of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) is expected to be concluded on Thursday.

Those that are being rumours say  may likely decamp include Chief Segun Oni who lost his bid to former Governor Ayo Fayose annoited candidate, Bisi Kolawole.

Already, two former aspirants on the ticket of APC, Dr Oluyede has defected to  African Democratic Congress, (ADC) where he is now the sole candidate and Otunba Reuben Famuyibo, is now sole contestant on the ticket of Accord Party, (AP).

Investigations at Ado Ekiti, the state capital, revealed that several other political parties which hitherto have no offices or presence, have started renting available apartments to make their presence felt.

Early this month, the Independent National Electoral Commission,(INEC) announced that only eight political parties have notified the Commission of their intentions to conduct primaries.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Dr Festus Okoye, disclosed that the parties are the Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP), All Progressives Congress,(APC), Action Alliance,(AA), African Democratic Congress,(ADC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance,(APGA).

Others were Allied People’s Movement,(APM), Peoples Redemption Party, (PRP) and African Action Congress,(AAC).

According to him, “So far, as at afternoon January 7, eight political parties have given the commission the statutory notice of their intention to conduct primaries for the purpose of nominating candidates for the Ekiti governorship election scheduled for June 16.