Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose on has suffered another electoral defeat at his home local government area.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Delegate Election to choose representatives to the National Convention in Abuja was conducted in all the 16 local government areas on Tuesday.
The governor’s candidate and former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba, was defeated in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area by former state PDP Secretary, Dr. Tope Aluko.
At the election conducted at the Irepodun/Ifelodun local government PDP secretariat, Dr. Aluko polled 80 votes to defeat Omotoba who polled 4 votes.
It will be recalled that Fayose lost the local government area to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the last governorship election.
According to the Returning Officer who is also the PDP Vice Chairman in Ekiti Central, Chief Tunji Kayode, 84 delegates were accredited to vote.
Announcing the result, Kayode returned Dr. Aluko as elected having polled the hugest number of votes cast.
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.
Loyalists of Fayose did not show up at the poll and conduct was delayed for about two hours before voting started.
Before voting started at about 11.45 am, members described the congress as an opportunity to liberate the party from Fayose’s alleged stranglehold.
Delegates who voted at the congress included House of Assembly member representing Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency 1, Mr. Posi Omodara, ward executives including nine out of eleven ward chairmen and local government executives.
Former PDP chairman in Irepodun/Irepodun council area, Mr. Jinadu Isiaka Olaoluwa, said alleged imposition of candidates by Fayose caused the party’s defeat at the July 14 local government election.
Olaoluwa said 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.
Speaking after his election as delegate to the National Convention, 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.”
