- The governorship race for the Ekiti state government house is gathering momentum
- Engineer Segun Oni, a former governor of Ekiti state is set to re-contest again
- Oni is the current deputy national chairman (south) of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
Engineer Segun Oni, a former governor of Ekiti state has joined the state’s governorship race billed for 2018.
Ife Arowosoge, director general of the Segun Oni Campaign Organisation, disclosed this on Thursday, June 15 at the maiden meeting of APC leaders in the state.
He said the former governor would make an open declaration of his intention later in July.
Engineer Segun Oni is currently the nationa vice chairman (south) in the APC
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The Cable quoted Arowosoge as saying Oni joined the race due to pressure from various interest groups in the state.
His words: “Oni had written letters of his intention to vie for governor in 2018 to the party executives at ward, local government and state levels.
“He has been receiving calls from interest groups like teachers, civil servants, local government workers, retirees, youth and women groups to take another shot at the governorship race on the strength of his performance while in office between 2007 and 2010.
“Oni during his administration provided employment for over 4,000 youth, gave autonomy to both Legislature and Judiciary, gave good welfare package to civil servants and retirees, provided infrastructures and other social welfare programmes.
“This is the man we have chosen to work for; we are not ashamed to associate with this man of integrity and we must ensure that he wins both the primary and governorship election with a landslide.
“The slogan of 16-0 against the APC must not only stop, it must be reversed; it will be 16-0 against the PDP.
“The political atmosphere is most favourable for our party now and the only person people are demanding our party to give them is Olusegun Oni who they are ready to vote in as governor, come 2018.”
The meeting also had in attendance members from all the 16 local government areas working for the 2018 aspiration of the former governor.
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NAIJ.com had earlier reported that a socio-economic group based in Ekiti state, Nigeria Progressive Vanguard (NPV), had been putting pressure on Oni to help rescue the state by contesting in its forthcoming election.
In the interview below with NAIJ.com TV, APC chieftain, Comrade Timi Frank warns the ruling party to resolve its internal bickering before 2019.