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Again, Fayose’s candidate loses at PDP delegate election

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Less than1month to go, Ekiti Assembly approves N10bn supplementary budget for Fayose

These are not the best of times for Ekiti State Governor, Peter Ayo Fayose, as he has again suffered another electoral loss in his home local government area.

A former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba, who is Fayose’s candidate at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegate election to choose representatives to the National Convention in Abuja was defeated by a former Secretary of the party in the State, Dr. Tope Aluko, on Tuesday in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Aluko polled 80 votes as against Omotoba’s four votes.

This is coming after the PDP lost Fayose’s local government to the All Progressives Congress, APC in the July 14 governorship election in the state.

According to the Returning Officer who is also the PDP Vice Chairman in Ekiti Central, Chief Tunji Kayode, 84 delegates were accredited to vote.

While announcing the result, Kayode returned Dr. Aluko as elected for polling the hugest number of votes cast.

Read also: 2019: I’m confident Lamido will step down for me— Atiku

The election was observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), officers of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and journalists.

According to reports, loyalists of the outgoing governor did not show up at the poll and conduct was delayed for about two hours before voting started.

Members of the party at the local government area had described the congress as an opportunity to liberate the party from Fayose’s alleged stranglehold before voting commenced.

A former PDP chairman in Irepodun/Irepodun council area, Mr. Jinadu Isiaka Olaoluwa, claimed that alleged imposition of candidates by Fayose caused the party’s defeat at the July 14 governorship election in the state.

According to Olaoluwa, the election of Aluko as the LG delegate to the National Convention has signalled an end to impunity, dictatorial tendency and personalization of the party by an individual.

In his speech after the election, Dr. Aluko said 80 delegates formed quorum.

He said: “I have been elected as the representative of this local government at the national convention in Abuja and I will give them responsive and responsible representation.

“If some people decided not to show up, they are not up to 20 per cent. All the wards are represented here and I owe my victory to genuine party members.”

 

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