A governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State, Senator Gbenga Aluko, has warned the leadership of the party against picking any controversial candidate for the 2014 governorship election in the state.
The PDP chieftain gave the warning in Ode Ekiti in Gbonyin local government area on Saturday during the grand finale of the tour of the 16 local councils in furtherance of his 2014 governorship aspiration.
Aluko pointed out that the PDP may lose the election to the All Progressives Congress, APC, or other parties, if it fields a candidate that has no acceptability across party lines and among the electorate, regardless of party affiliations.
According to him, it would be wise politically for the PDP leaders to close ranks and make profit from the internal wrangling festering in APC, owing to the supremacy battle between Governor Kayode Fayemi and Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, who has defected to the Labour Party, LP.
Aluko said, “The PDP has the structure and popularity to dislodge Governor Kayode Fayemi in the impending electoral battle, if our party could field a candidate that is not controversial or has credibility problem.
“Our party must present a candidate that has appeal across party lines. As I am here today, some of the APC members will be pleased with my candidature and they will vote for me if I should be given the flag. We don’t need to rely on votes from PDP members alone” .
The former national assembly member promise to accord industrial development as priority if elected the governor of Ekiti State.
He called on Governor Fayemi to devise a means of harnessing the untapped mineral resources in some towns across the state to make Ekiti a raw materials’ zone to attract investors.
He said, “I have started laying a good foundation with the establishment of a multi-million naira plastic and soap Industry in Ode Ekiti, even as an individual. I have about 200 youths on my payroll.
“So, I urged government to look inward and stop giving our youths volunteer jobs that have no career progression”, Aluko advised.