Persons interested in contesting the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti state have started declaring interest through various public awareness campaign strategies ahead of the exercise.
The poll is still more than a year away.
No fewer than 10 of such aspiring candidates, especially from the major opposition party, All Progressives Congress, APC as well as other parties have been canvassing for support in the various local electronic media.
Some others have also erected billboards as well as pasted posters in strategic locations, with their full portraits.
Further investigations showed that those without billboards and posters have either set up some shadow foundations or the other or are busy engaging in empowerment programmes.
These aspirants used the schemes to hold meetings and offer mouth-watering incentives to potential supporters.
The emerging aspirants are not from APC alone. Some other aspirants have hugged the little known parties, that featured in the 2014 governorship election in the state, and disappeared thereafter.
In Ado Ekiti, the state capital, among the prominent aspirants who have opened offices ahead of the first stage of the governorship campaign, the primary election, are former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Femi Bamisile,(APC) and Muyiwa Olumilua, son of former governor of old Ondo state, Ambassador Bamidele Olumilua.
Others are a businessman, Kola Alabi , a former member of House of Representatives, Mr Bamidele Faparusi and a renowned medical doctor, Adebayo Orire, also of APC.
Bamisile confirmed he is interested to run for governor if his party, APC allows his candidacy.
According to him, his love and concern for the welfare and well-being of the people are the factors propelling his decision to run.
He said he has been distributing free kerosene, petrol as well as money to residents, especially housewives, commercial drivers as well as motor-cyclists, known locally as Okada rider..
NAN reports that aspirants from the ruling PDP in the state are still keeping their ambitions secret as members are reportedly being careful of the domineering influence of the Governor Ayodele Fayose who, because he doubles as leader of the party, will in all probability determine who will be the torch bearer of the party.
NAN recalls that only recently, the governor announced that he was looking up to God to choose who to succeed him.(NAN)