Group rallies support for Segun Oni’s governorship ambition

AN interest group, Ekiti Unity Forum (EUF), on Monday canvassed support for the governorship aspiration of a former governor of the state and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Segun Oni, saying he deserved the party’s ticket.

Oni, who is the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the APC is expected to formally declare his intent to run for the 2018 governorship race on July 17 in Ado-Ekiti and will also open his campaign headquarters same day.

Chairman of the group, Dr Sunday Ilori, said the group at its monthly meeting decided to back Oni’s candidature “having identified him as the most credible among the aspirants showing interest in the top job.”

Ilori who declared emphatically that “every contestant against Oni will fail” said the former governor performed well in office during his first tenure in office between 2007 and 2010 and his legacies are still enduring.

He said: “Oni has done it before and we believe he can do it again; among the over 40 aspirants, he is the most credible and that is why we are rallying support for him in all the 177 wards and 16 local government areas.

“Oni is a politically mature person and this came to the fore when the House of Assembly during his tenure was made 13 ruling party lawmakers and 13 opposition lawmakers but he never convinced any opposition lawmaker to defect to is party.

“Ekiti youths are presently suffering and instead of the present government to provide jobs for them, they are being used as thugs and mobilizers.

“Oni is a complete gentleman, he is sensitive to the needs of the people and he is oyal and committed to the people. I am advising other contestants to drop their ambition and support him.”

Meanwhile, Oni in his Eid-el-Fitri message urged all Nigerians to remain steadfast in their prayers and pray for the good health and full recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari.

While congratulating Muslims for the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, Oni in a statement by the Director General of his campaign organisation, Dr Ife Arowosoge, praised their discipline, steadfastness personal sacrifice and commitment during the holy month.

Oni urged Nigerians to abhor fanning the embers of hate but stamp out and quench the scourge of disunity saying: “there is much strength and benefits in our united Nigeria.”