Ekiti Election: Bamidele denies stepping down from governorship race

Adekunle Dada

Former federal lawmaker, Opeyemi Bamidele denied rumours making the rounds on social media that he has already concluded plans to step down for immediate past governor of Ekiti, and minister of Mines and Solid Minerals development, Kayode Fayemi.

Bamidele made it clear to newsmen in Ado Ekiti that he is still very much in the race for the May 5 governorship primary of the party and described the rumour widely circulated as laughable. He stated that there is no reason for him to quit.

The APC chieftain said he has no reason to doubt the assurances given by the National leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the southwest bigwigs at a meeting held in Lagos last Friday.

“It is laughable that people are saying I have stepped down for Fayemi. When the Minister was in government , I disagreed with him even as a sitting governor . I was brought up to speak truth to power, not minding whose ox is gored.

“It surprises me that they didn’t say I was fronting for Engr. Segun Oni or Senator Gbenga Aluko, because I am close to all these people. But, this is part of politics.

“I have traversed all the 177 wards and I am now visiting all the 16 local governments in search for delegates. At 54, if I want to step down, I won’t waste time, energy and money moving around . I will not even pretend in telling the public about it.

“Let me say that I am on the field, in the race and on Saturday we are looking forward to getting the ticket by the grace of God.

” If for any reason the delegate chose another aspirant and the party calls on me to play any role. I will play it as a loyal member because if I emerged as a candidate, l expect other aspirants to work with me. It is no longer about the individual but about the party wining and the state and its people, ” he said.