Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Engr. Segun Oni, has flouted party protocol to declare his intention to run for the 2018 governorship race in Ekiti State.
His declaration today came as a rude shock to many party stalwarts in the state who thought Oni ought to have resigned his position as the Deputy National Chairman, South West, of the party in line with the provisions of the APC constitution before the flagging off.
Oni declared his intention to contest for the Ekiti number one seat in a six page speech in which he highlighted his readiness to oust the incumbent government of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and usher in a new era of total economic recovery in the state.
Addressing a crowd of party faithful at the APC State Secretariat, Ado Ekiti, Oni, who was once governor of Ekiti State on the platform of the PDP, said his candidature would make regaining the seat of governance easy for the APC.
“I strongly believe that what Ekiti needs now is experience, knowledge, industry, transparency and inclusiveness (Ekiti) to enable us carry out the necessary repair and relaunch our sate along the path of real development and growth for the benefit of all. I believe I possess these necessary qualities,” he declared.
Campaign Director-General of Engr.Oni, Ife Arowosoge, had last Thursday, let the cat out of the bag at a maiden meeting of some APC leaders and members from all the 16 local government areas loyal to the ambition.
Arowosoge, a former House of Representatives member, disclosed that the former governor of the state had written the party executives at ward, local government and state levels, notifying them of his intention to contest for 2018 governorship election.
He said Engr. Oni would also commission the headquarters of his governorship campaign secretariat, which according to him, is located along Opopogbooro, Iworoko Road, Ekiti State today, and also visit the party’s secretariat in the state, after which he would visit senatorial offices.
He said Oni has the experience, exposure and pedigree to make a difference if given the chance to occupy the governor’s seat again.
“He is simple, plain-minded, intelligent, humble, respectful, incorruptible, responsible and God-fearing,” he said
But tongues have been wagging among party members in Ekiti State, some of who claimed that the declaration was lopsided and an abuse of office on the part of Oni, who as incumbent APC leader in the south-west , was expected to have relinquished his position before the declaration.
