The Senior Special Assistant to Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi on Electoral Matters, Mr Olaiya Kupolati, has resigned his position and defected to the Social Democratic Party(SDP) to support its candidate and former governor, Chief Segun Oni for the June 18 election.
In a letter dated 23rd March, 2022 and addressed to the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Kupolati, said his resignation takes effect from March 30, 2022.
He however, said his resignation was in tandem with the new Electoral Act, which stipulated that every appointee seeking political office should resign accordingly, saying he intends to contest for the House of Assembly on the platform of SDP.
The letter reads, “I, Kupolati Olaiya, the Senior Special Assistant on Electoral Matters, hereby resigns my position with effect from 30th March, 2022.
“I really appreciate Mr Governor for giving me the opportunity to serve the good people of Ekiti State.”
Shedding light on his resignation and subsequent defection to SDP at his ward in Iye Ekiti , Ilejemeje local government area of Ekiti State, Kupolati predicated this on his preference for Oni , he described as having a better experience and pedigree to govern Ekiti.
According to him, ” I perceive former governor Segun Oni as the best man for Ekiti after Governor Fayemi at this trying time and I am ready to support him.
“The former governor is a man of the people. A man of integrity, with unblemished records. He has a better pedigree. He performed very well while in office in his first term, so he deserves a re-election by every standard.
“I am also following the trend in town, especially my people in Ilejemeje, they are totally for Segun Oni and as a good leader and community person, I don’t want to work against the wish of my constituents.”
The Fayemi’s ex-aide posited further that it would be a gross betrayal of trust, if he works against the wish of his people in the June 18 governorship poll.
Kupolati also formally declared his interest for the House of Assembly race to represent Ilejemeje State constituency in the 2023 election.
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