Ekiti PDP Primary: Former Ekiti Speaker, Odeyemi Accused Ex-Gov. Fayose Of Hand Picking Candidate

Former Acting Governor, Ekiti State and Ex-Speaker Ekiti State House of Assembly, HE. Rt. Hon Tunji Odeyemi has threatened to resign his 22 years of membership with his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if something urgent is not done by the national body of the party to address his grievances concerning the outcome of the Ekiti South Federal Constituency 2 Primary election that was declared inconclusive on 22nd of May, 2022 following the violence that ensues during the collation of results.

According to the former speaker, who stated that he won't allow his consistent loyalty and love for his party in the last 22 years to be rubbish by former Gov. Fayose who wants to impose and hand-pick a candidate for Ekiti South Federal Constituency 2 in an election that was declared inconclusive.

He further stated that he is calling on the National Leader of their great party, PDP and other stakeholders to do something urgently to assuage his grievances, the unjust and unfair treatment meted on him in the just concluded PDP primary election.

In his word, Odeyemi said he has been consistent in loyalty and membership to PDP in the last 22 years, but going by the recent developments in the party, particularly in Ekiti, he might have no choice but to pitch his tent with another political party.

He said his denial of the House of Representatives ticket for the Ekiti South Federal Constituency 2 revealed that his loyalty to PDP has not been appreciated.

“In the just-concluded National Assembly primary of PDP, I vied for the Representative ticket of Ekiti South Federal Constituency 2.

The primary which was held on Sunday 22nd of May was marred with violence and inconclusive. Despite that, I have been reliably informed that the ticket has been given to my opponent who has barely spent three months in the party. Meanwhile,  Ekiti East LG where this contestant came from already has a Senate ticket zoned there. Whereas, Gbonyin/Aiyekire LG where I come from was not given any consideration in position allocation in that constituency. This is unacceptable”

“I am using this medium to call on the PDP national leaders led by Sen. Iyorchia Ayu to wade into this matter and correct this anomaly.

“In the days to come, if nothing is done to correct the anomalies, I may not have another choice but to resign my membership from PDP.

“I believe my loyalty to the party in the last 22 years in which 16 years of it was without any political post is never appreciated going by the recent developments. My exit at this crucial time might just be the available option if this injustice is not addressed.”Odeyemi said. 

Ekiti South Federal Constituency 2 comprises three local government areas that are Emure Local Government, Gboyin Local Government and Ekiti East Local Government areas. The slot had been shared among the three local government areas aside Gboyin. The PDP Deputy Governorship candidate, Barr. kolade Kolapo is from Emure, the senatorial candidate, the incumbent Senator Abiodun Olujimi is from Ekiti Ekiti. While Gboyin is left out despite having a contestant from that local government.

The Former Speaker, HE Rt. Hon Tunji Odeyemi is from Gboyin and his opponent Engr. Adenike Jennifer Emiola is from Ekiti East 

Odeyemi was the Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker (2008-2011) and Acting Governor between February 2009 to May 2009.