Ekiti 2014: Fayose joins governorship race, says No to consensus

A former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose has formally joined the governorship race on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Fayose picked the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms on Thursday at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata House, in Abuja, ahead of the governorship election billed for June 21.
Two other aspirants had picked the expression of interest and nomination forms earlier. They were former Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd); and former spokesman of Afenifere, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye.
Fayose, who spoke with newsmen shortly after picking the form, said he was not a party to any consensus arrangement, opting for the conduct of primaries instead.
According to him: “From day one, I have been anti-consensus.
“The party said there would be no consensus and I have always said if you defeat me, I will shake your hands.
“The party has reiterated they would conduct a free and fair primary.
“If I defeat you, there will be less acrimony.
“You will know that you were defeated in the free and fair contest.
“So, to me, I have made my position known.
“But this afternoon, the party, through the National Organizing Committee reaffirmed that the party will conduct a free and fair primaries.
“Whosoever wins the primary becomes a candidate of the party and I want to tell you, there is none of the aspirant that is not qualified.
“They are my brothers irrespective of the contest.
“In a contest, we will still be brothers and Ekiti people.
“So, to me, I will do all it takes to ensure the PDP comes first, then our interest.”
Asked if he would dump the PDP should he lose the party’s ticket, Fayose said: “It is too late for me to cross carpet.
“If I don’t win, I will not cross carpet.
“I am no longer a small boy.
“A former governor, 54 years, and I want to take the decision in good faith.”
The former governor expressed confidence that if given the PDP ticket, he would send the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led All Progressives Congress government packing from the Government House, adding: “Fayemi’s government is far removed from the people.
“The South West is not the home of APC.
“Don’t forget that APC operates like a cult.
“If they bring you, they put you in the cooler.
“I am telling you, PDP will win Ekiti state.
“The APC came in because of the internal wrangling in the PDP, which led to the Salamigate, the judicial misappropriation.
“Let me say clearly again that the South West is not the home of APC.
“Up and until today, PDP still controls respectable politicians.
“I defeated the godfather of Fayemi, former governor Segun Oni, before.
“What more the godson?”