Senator representing Ekiti Central and an aspirant for the Ekiti State governorship elections in 2022, Opeyemi Bamidele has expressed conviction that he is more qualified than every other aspirants in the governorship race, to succeed the current Governor, John Kayode Fayemi.
Senator Bamidele announced this while addressing Journalists at the All Progressive Congress (APC) national secretariat after picking his nomination form on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to him, Dr Fayemi and his administration having done so well, deserves a worthy successor that will take the state to the next level of development.
He said, “Having traversed the three arms of government, I want to say with due respect and with every sense of modesty, that I have what it takes to lead a state like Ekiti at a time like this when everyone who has a scientific understanding of what is wrong and what needs to be done, needs to come forward and present himself.
“I am not contesting this election because I feel I am the only one who can add value in Ekiti State but I am in this race because I am convinced that more than anyone else, I know Ekiti like no one does, among those of us who have indicated interest in being governor of Ekiti State and I know the workings of government in the three arms like no one does among those of us that are aspiring.
“I want to emphasize that I am not in this race alone, by the grace of God I have the support of many people in Ekiti including a good number of the leaders of our Party.
“I have come in here today with the 21 of my colleagues in the Senate who felt there is a need for them to come here with me and identify with my aspirations because they know the kind of person I am” he added.
The lawmaker also said if elected, he will govern the state based on the policy thrust of HEART which represents; Health and Human Services, Education and Economic advancement of the state, Agriculture and Mineral development, Rural and Infrastructural development, Transformation of youths and women.
Responding to question on whether he is the anointed candidate of Dr Fayemi, he said “If it was the wish of our governor to anoint an aspirant, if it was the wish of our party to have an aspirant anointed, they will not be organising or be preparing to hold the party primary, neither will they be asking me to come and spend N22.5 million to buy form. They would have said this is the candidate of the party by consensus.
“I do not believe that his excellency Governor Kayode Fayemi has anointed a candidate. I believe that other people are probably interested in dropping the names of the governor and time will tell.
“I believe this is going to be a very serious race and what is important is for each aspirant to go back, discuss with the members of the party and reach a covenant with the members of the party to show that we also understand what is actually pinching out people in their shoes”.
