Bisi Kolawole, Fayose’s candidate, wins Ekiti PDP Guber Primary

Bisi Kolawole has emerged as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti state.

Kolawole, former chairman of the PDP in Ekiti, edged out Segun Oni, an ex-governor, and Kolapo Olusola, a former deputy governor of the state.

The primary election took place in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday.

Kolawole polled 671 votes to defeat other candidates such as former governor Segun Oni and former governorship candidate Professor Kolapo Olusola.

Oni scored 330 votes, while Olusola got 93 votes, according to the Chairman, Electoral Committee of the party, Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State.

Other runners were Adekemi Adewumi who got just one vote, like Lateef Ajijola.

Ayodeji Kazeem got six votes Kayode Adaramodu, a former aide of Governor Kayode Fayemi 10 votes and Adewale Aribisala 56 votes.

Kolawole, who is from Efon Alaye is the candidate of former governor Ayo Fayose.

He will now compete in the 18 June election as PDP flag bearer.

Kolawole had resigned his position as Ekiti PDP chairman to contest the governorship election. He was the preferred aspirant of Fayose, former governor of the state.

Kolawole is a former lawmaker representing Efon constituency in the state house of assembly. He also served as commissioner of environment between 2015 and 2018.

While endorsing Kolawole for the governorship election, Fayose had described him as a bridge-builder who will usher in a better future for Ekiti and the PDP.

“The man you have come to honour, Bisi Kolawole, is our collective project. I made him my preferred candidate in the overall interest of our party, but this does not foreclose due process of nomination in PDP,” Fayose said.

“PDP is what we are supporting; it is what we are marketing. And all we want is a winner. We have started consultations and I know that victory is sure for us.”

Biodun Olujimi, the senator representing Ekiti south, had earlier in the day pulled out of the race, accusing the party of disenfranchising her.

The delegates first converged at the Pastoral Centre in Ado-Ekiti to get accredited, after which they moved to Great Eagle Hall for the voting exercise.

Emmanuel Udom, governor of Akwa Ibom, was the chairman of the primary election committee.