“I’m Fayemi’s worthy successor” Bamidele picks Ekiti gov form

Opeyemi Bamidele, a governorship aspirant and current Senator representing Ekiti Central has said that more than any candidate in the race for Ekiti State governorship in 2022, he is best qualified to succeed Kayode Fayemi, Top Naija reports.

Bamidele spoke at the national secretariat of All Progressives Congress in Abuja after picking his nomination forms.

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 an 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 have also said that I will be governing the state based on the policy thrust from the HEART representing Health and Human Services, Education and Economic advancement of the state, Agriculture and Mineral development, Rural and Infrastructural development, Transformation of youths and women.”

The lawmaker also said that having done a commendable job in the state, Fayemi deserves a successor who would continue his legacy and take the state to the next level.

“Ekiti is today led by a governor who understands the language of internal democracy and party politics.

“Kayode Fayemi’s administration has done so well and so much for Ekiti State and the administration deserves to have a worthy and well-focused successor who will not only protect the legacies of our party and the administration in Ekiti State but will also build upon and take the state to the very next level of development,” he said.

Bamidele however dispelled notions that he had been anointed by Fayemi to run for governor.

He said there is no need for name dropping at this time; adding that “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 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.”

Last week, 16 worshippers were killed, while eight sustained varying degrees of gunshot wounds after bandits attacked them during the early morning prayer in Ba’ari.

TopNaija recalls that, in March 2015, in his article entitled: “My hatred for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu”, Bamidele criticized the released of The Lion of Bourdilion, a documentary film aired by Africa Independent Television on March 1, 2015 and the role played by the opposition party, in the release of the controversial film.