Monarchs woo political parties on Ekiti South agenda

Traditional rulers in Ekiti State have asked political parties to field candidates from Ekiti South senatorial district for the July 14 governorship election.

Urging parties to take the warning seriously, the monarchs said they would mobilise their subjects to vote against any political party that defied their demand at the poll.

The monarchs gave the warning in a meeting with Governor Ayodele Fayose, yesterday.

Speaking on behalf of other monarchs from Ekiti South, the Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo, said they had resolved that all political parties must field a candidate from South in the collective interest.

He said: “We should have a candidate, who should emerge from the south, irrespective of political party. That will show fairness. Where a particular area is not considered in the scheme of things, that will amount to marginalisation.”

The Ologotun of Ogotun Ekiti, Oba Samuel Ajibade, said the people of the South had waited for too long. “We are part of Ekiti State, so any candidate from Ekiti South should be supported,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of Ekiti North kings, the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunji, “we believe in principle of justice and fairness. We are not standing here to be partisan, but we are talking about justice. We are supporting based on principle of fairness, justice and equity.”

Meanwhile, violence and alleged malpractice trailed the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) Special Ward Congress to elect delegates to vote at the governorship primary, which was conducted in Ekiti State on Saturday.

Former Ikere Local Council Chairman, Mr. Banji Aluko, was beaten by suspected thugs loyal to a top politician,
in Ikere-Ekiti.