Former Executive Secretary, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Dr Oluwole Oluleye on Friday swelled the list of aspirants for the All Progressives Congress, (APC) governorship ticket, in Ekiti State.
Dr Oluleye who spoke with newsmen after collecting his nomination form said his mission was to restore the lost glory of Ekiti state. Oluleye who noted that Ekiti is an agrarian state promised to lay a good economic foundation for the state by tapping into its agricultural base.
He said: “Ekiti is in a very, very precarious situation right now and we have had a lot of relatively young men who have administered the state in one way or the other. They have worked very well and if you considered those who have administered the state, you will see that the relatively older ones have done a lot.
“But for me, while I want to govern Ekiti State is to provide good governance, leadership by example and lay a solid foundation for the economy of the state using agriculture as a base.
“Ekiti State is basically an agrarian state and we need to utilise what is available in the state to get the economy going. This basically is why I am contesting and having gone round the state, the level of poverty I see in the state in the midst of plenty is totally unacceptable.
“I firmly believe that I can change the situation within the shortest possible time, to alleviate poverty through solid agricultural base. I am coming out to bring Ekiti State out of the doldrum and do exactly what is done everywhere in terms of governance. Standard must be set for the younger ones coming behind us to emulate and build on.”
On agitation for zoning of the exalted office to Ekiti south senatorial district, Dr Olueye said it should be disregarded as he insisted that merit should be given utmost priority in the choice of candidate to fly the party ticket.
“APC does not have a zoning formula. Secondly if you want to zone the seat or you prefer a particular Senatorial district to bring out the candidate, it presupposes that they have not taken part in previous elections.
“Mind you, nobody concede power anywhere and so, it is important that everybody fights for it with what you have. I have the experience, I have managed places, I have a track record which I want to extend to Ekiti State and better the welfare of the people.
“So, my take on a Senatorial district agitating for zoning is simply that if you bring in zoning, we will now know that we have zoning and so, nobody needs to come out from other places.
“By that, you will not have as many people as there outside competing now. But Ekiti needs the best hands now to pilot it to where it should be. We should not leave people to continue to wallow in poverty in the midst of plenty at all. With the experience I have both locally and internationally, that is what I will bring to bear on Ekiti state.”
Saturday Tribune checks revealed that 20 aspirants have so far picked the nomination forms of the APC, ahead of its primary fixed for May 5.
The list include, Senator Ayo Arise, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Honourable Opeyemi Bamidele, Victor Oladele Kolade , Chief Oladiran Adesua, Dr Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi, Dr (Mrs) Yaya Kolade, Chief Gbenga Aluko and Honourable Femi Bamisile amongst others. It could not be confirmed if the Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi has picked nomination form.
