No fewer than 12 aspirants have picked the nomination forms of the Peoples Democratic Party to contest the party’s March 12 primaries for the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the aspirants include: a former Governor, Ayo Fayose; eminent banker, Chief Bisi Omoyeni; Bola Oloyede; and Dr. Peter Obafemi.
Others are: Prince Dayo Adeyeye, a former Publicity Secretary of Afenifere; retired Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade; Chief Gbenga Aluko; Chief Biodun Aluko; and Adewale Aribisala.
The sales of the nomination form, which commenced on February 24, ended on March 3.
The male aspirants paid N10 million for the nomination form, while the female aspirants had a waiver, but all aspirants paid N1 million for the expression of interest form.
While other aspirants canvassed for a consensus candidate, Fayose, a former governor of the state, opposed such arrangement, which he said, was anti-democracy.
Obafemi, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, said though the aspirants were not afraid of going through the primaries, a consensus candidate was the best for the state.
He said this would not only ensure the interest of all factions, but would guarantee the safety of lives and property in the state and eschew acrimony.
The aspirant said the state was politically volatile, adding that it could run into crisis if a primary election was conducted.
“We are not afraid of primaries if that is the last resolve, but for the interest of our people and the state, we would rather opt for a consensus candidate,” Obafemi said.
The 12 aspirants are expected to return their nomination forms to the party secretariat ahead of its primaries slated for March 12.
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