Prof. Kolapo Olusola, the deputy Governor, is now in line to become the next governor of Ekiti state after he won the PDP governorship primaries.
Olusola won out ahead of former Minister of State for Works, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye in 1,190 votes to 770 votes.
The Governor of Delta state, Ifeanyi Okowa served as the Chairman of the Ekiti PDP Governorship Primary Electoral Committee and he declared Olusola the winner at exactly 8.30 pm.
Announcing the winner he said: “We have come to the end of the congress and in the first instance, you are aware that just before voting started, Senator (Biodun) Olujimi stepped down and we have only Prof. Kolapo Olusola and Prince Dayo Adeyeye.
“It was definitely a keen competition, at the end, we had total number of 1,968 accredited voters and Prof. Kolapo Olusola scored 1,190 votes and Prince Adedayo Adeyeye scored 771 votes.
“That brings the total valid votes to 1, 961 with seven votes voided; I want to also announce that both aspirants told us that they did accept the results.
“Before Prince Adeyeye left, he told me that he was quite satisfied with the conduct of the primary. I must thank all members of the State Congress Committee as appointed by the National Working Committee.
“I want to thank everybody for your patience for the success of this primary. I want to thank the representatives of INEC who came out in good numbers.
“I want to thank the Press because, without you, the world will not hear about it. I must also thank agents of our aspirants.
“I hereby return Prof. Kolapo Olusola as the duly nominated gubernatorial candidate of the PDP for the Ekiti State gubernatorial election. I want to congratulate Prof. Kolapo Olusola for his victory at this gubernatorial state congress.”
Olusola, in his acceptance speech, said; “Today is historical, the victory of today has not only validated our loyalty to the party but it has also rekindled our trust in the democratic process.
“I humbly and sincerely appreciate all our party stalwarts who have contributed to this victory, more importantly, my mentor, a man with golden ideas who has stood solidly behind me, His Excellency, Chief Peter Ayodele Fayose.
“I saluted the doggedness of my co-contestant, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye. I extend my hand of fellowship to you (Adeyeye). There is no victor, no vanquished.
“Every hand must be on deck to economically develop Ekiti, the development witnessed under Governor Fayose must be sustained and we assure our people of transparent and inclusive governance.
“We are aware of the intent of desperate interlopers to coerce Ekiti into economic slavery. Ekiti people are set and prepared to resist these interlopers loaded with evil intention. We are going to record another 16-0 victory.
“I appreciate our dynamic delegates for making a good choice. I thank Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose for standing behind me daring all odds.”