By Yomi Ogundare
Few days after a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otunba Segun Adewale, declared his aspiration to govern Ekiti State come 2018, the impression on his candidacy is unsettling the state governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.
Governor Fayose, who is said to have concluded permutation on foisting his 'anointed' successor on the PDP, became apprehensive that his plan has been altered by Otunba Adewale's decision to contest the top seat in the state.
Otunba Adewale took the political pulse of the state by rave when he announced his decision to contest the governorship seat in 2018 two weeks ago, emphasizing his resolve to fight poverty when elected.
The decision, which ignited joyous reactions in the state, is also gaining traction among majority of stakeholders in the PDP, worrying Governor Fayose, who according to sources, have a different plan from the party in retaining the state.
Shortly after Otunba Adewale declared his ambition to contest the governorship seat in 2018, a strong negative outlook, which has the backing of the governor, was charged at him (Adewale) to whittle-down his growing acceptability.
This may explain the denigrating comments towards Ekiti people attributed to Otunba Adewale, but which he has disclaimed, saying that he can never disparage his people.
"Not only Oga (Fayose) which is bothered that Aeroland (Adewale) has shown interest in the governorship seat but everyone in the camp," responded a source who confided the pulse of the camp to our correspondent.
"You need to know that Aeroland (Adewale) is unlike any of the other aspirants. His capability was never in doubt but he is not in Oga's (Fayose) plan and the trouble now is, he cannot be pushed aside. "Can't you see the waves he is already generating as we speak? It was like the people have just been waiting for him to say he will contest because the support is just something we cannot ignore," he added.
Though the party in the state had denied anointing any of the aspirants for its ticket, but feelers have informed that the party is wary of fielding a less popular candidate that will affect its chances of retaining the state after the poll.
Most leaders of the party, who have identified with the aspiration of Otunba Adewale, it was learnt, are swayed by his (Adewale) track-records, both in public and private engagements, which they considered will give the party a comfortable victory at the poll.
While other aspirants jostling for the ticket of the party were as well considered, the general consensus by most leaders of the party who are wary of losing the state to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), favored Otunba Adewale. This, it is learnt, that the scheming within the party, which are largely subtle is directed at the emergence of a candidate which will guarantee the party’s victory at the poll.
The Chairman/CEO of Aeroland Group of Companies is believed by most of the leaders to have the necessary political wherewithal to deliver victory for the party.
"He (Adewale) is considered by many as the ideal candidate that can give our party (PDP) victory in the governorship election," a party source confided in our correspondent, pointing that "not only is he well entrenched among electorates in the state, but his capability to transform the state and fight poverty is intimidating and cannot be easily ignored.
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