Ekiti PDP: Fayose, ex-deputies clash over consensus deal

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose  has disagreed with his ex-deputies, Messrs Abiodun Aluko and Bisi Omoyeni, on the consensus deal to select the Peoples Democratic Party standard-bearer for the 2014 governorship election in the state.

Fayose on Monday berated the state party chairman, Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe, for constituting a Consensus Screening Committee to screen aspirants for the ticket.

Describing the arrangement as an act of imposition, Fayose, who vowed not to appear before the committee, said the plot was to favour one of the aspirants.

He said, “It is only those who are not sure of their ability to win who are clamouring for consensus. Whoever is sure of his popularity and believes in democracy will be ready at any time to test his popularity before the people.”

The former deputy governors and seven other governorship aspirants from Ekiti South Senatorial District said they supported the constitution of the committee.

The Chairman of Ekiti South Senatorial Governorship Aspirants’ Forum, Mr. Abiodun Aluko, told our correspondent in Ado Ekiti on the telephone that the nine PDP aspirants were in support of the consensus deal.

Other aspirants in the group are Senator Gbenga Aluko;   Dayo Adeyeye;  Ropo Ogunbolude; Bimbo Owolabi; Senator Bode Olowoporoku; Adekunle Folayan, and Mr. Femi Bamisile.

Aluko, who said they had confidence in the screening committee, noted that its members were people of integrity.

He said, “The nine of us from Ekiti South Senatorial District are in support of the consensus arrangement. We have no reason to doubt the integrity of those in the committee. Justice Ojuawo, Dayo Okondo and others are men and women of integrity.”