The All Progressives Congress, APC in Ekiti State and the people have been summoned to form a formidable alliance that would present a virile front to oust the current administration and consequently deliver the state from lingering hardship.
Leading APC governorship aspirant in the state, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, SBO, made the plea at the weekend as he offered letters of partnership to party leaders at the event to mark his declaration to run as governor under the party’s platform at the APC state secretariat in Ado Ekiti, on Friday.
Ojudu who promised a regime of fair dealing, promised the leaders that he would run an inclusive government that would recognise party leaders and members and apportion them their due rights.
According to him, the contribution of all members is sacrosanct at this point of palpable leadership ineptitude and failure that have left the people in acute poverty, despondency and hopelessness.
He however noted that even as the people are tired of the existing government and clamour for change, the need for cohesion among the people would be necessary to midwife a break from the present terror regime.
“Over the past one year, I have intensified efforts by going round our dear but battered state, in my capacity as the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, as a chieftain of the APC, and as a son of Ekiti. I have met with all stakeholders in every local government, from Efon to Ekiti East, from Ikere to Moba. One thing that became crystal clear to me after engaging with our members across the State is that the challenges of the past three and a half years have prepared and galvanized our people for action.
“They are yearning for a positively different life and are ready to do whatever it takes to re-launch our party to liberate Ekiti.
“From our interactions, we are in agreement that without good governance, we cannot liberate our people; we cannot provide jobs for our ever-increasing population of unemployed and underemployed young men and women; we cannot ensure the education, health and wellbeing of all; there can be no meaningful development, and consequently no prosperity,” he said.
Ojudu however pleaded with the people to guard their loins for a tough battle, noting that the incumbent administration, knowing the level of rot it has inflicted on the state and the people, would mount a fight back.
The journalist turned politician and current Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, SBO, assured the people that he has the capacity and the wherewithal to battle and win the present Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, government in the state and restore the APC back to governance.
“We all know that it is not going to be easy to root out the terror in the government house. Dislodging Ayo Fayose who has spent the past three and a half years preparing for his return through a proxy is going to be a battle. It will take more than good intentions. It will take a dogged fighter with courage and experience; passion and commitment; knowledge and hard work, among others.
“As the process for electing a governor in Ekiti inches closer and closer, I am resolute in my mission to lead the APC to victory on July 14, 2018. I cannot wait for that day when we will all raise our brooms up in victory, and lower it to the ground in gratitude to the people to sweep the years of the locusts out of our land. I know that I have all it takes to get Ekiti back to reckoning. I know that with your support, we can restore the honour of our people. I know that when we link hands, we can all stand tall and be proud again.
“I implore you to come with me on this journey so that together we will make CHANGE and PROGRESS happen in Ekiti State,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the capital city, Ado Ekiti was agog as people trooped out in thousands to witness the declaration .
Party loyalists found their ways to the ancient city to converge at Okeyinmi where they were entertained before they moved in a train to the Ajilosun State Secretariat of the APC, where Ojudu submitted his letter of intent and the partnership letters to party leaders.
It was a carnival of sort as traditionalists and local folks displayed uncommon skills to press home their h support for Ojudu whom many of them regard as an uncommon lover of the state and dogged defender of democracy.
