Barely three weeks to the primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly and governorship aspirant, has appealed to the delegates to shun monetary inducement and cast their votes for an aspirant from the southern senatorial district of the state.
The southern zone remains the only zone that has not produced a governor since the state was created from the old Ondo state.
Therefore , the former Speaker urged delegates not to place money above party interest, which is to dislodge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration from Ekiti state, adding that the politician that offers them (delegates) bags of money may not necessarily be the best choice.
Bamisile who stated this in Ado Ekiti while briefing newsmen, said that the APC needs someone who has the capability, acceptability and will to confront Governor Ayodele Fayose whom he described as a grass root politician, which is why the delegates must choose wisely.
On the recent declaration of interest to join the governorship race by former governor Dr Kayode Fayemi, the former Speaker said that it was within his democratic right to aspire to be governor of Ekiti state. He however said that the former governor should not have left certainty for uncertainty.
“I have always been an open minded person when it comes to the issue of zoning. Even when I know that there is no constitutional backing for it but people from the South have been disenfranchised since the creation of our state. But as it is now, the issue has gone beyond zoning. We don’t have control over that, I won’t lie to you.
“We can only appeal to the conscience of the delegates. If the delegates now want to sell their conscience for money, at the expense of winning the general election, they should know that the biggest spender may not be the best candidate. What we should look at now is how to dislodge the monster that we have as governor.
“Fayose as much as we hate him, is grounded in Ekiti State politics. So, we need someone who is acceptable, who know the nook and cranny of the state to actually take over the leadership of the party. So, when someone is saying the persons who have money, Ekiti people are not like that, they have cultures and values. I am sure they won’t sell their conscience. Let people bring their money; I am sure they (electorates) would take it and do their wishes.”
“For me I am going to this race to earn respect for myself. I am not really bothered about anybody contesting with me because I know it is not going to be a one horse race. I won’t be the only one contesting this election. I have not really bothered about the character of the persons contesting with me. I am focusing on the delegates.
“If you don’t forget, I have been in the race for about three and half years. I have been Campaigning from house to house sensitizing and galvanizing support for the party. For me, he is exercising his constitutional right anyway. Yes, people are saying that he should not have entered the race as a Statesman, but the truth is, he has to probe his conscience to do what he did. But if I were in his shoe, I won’t have left certainty for uncertainty,” Bamisile said.