A total of thirty five (35) candidates are participating in the Saturday's governorship election in Ekiti state in their bid to succeed the incumbent administration led by Governor Ayodele Fayose.
Prominent among the candidates are the current deputy governor of the state and candidate the PDP Prof. Kolapo Olusola, the former Governor in the state,Dr Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress(APC ), Akin Aiyegbusi(SDP ), Abiodun Aluko(Accord ) , Bisi Omoyeni(MPN ) and Tunde Afe(ANRP )
Also participating in the election are; Shola Omolola(AA), Olaniyi Agboola(AD),Bode Olowoporoku(ACD ),Seun Adewale (ADP ), Prince Orubuloye(AGA ), Stephen Ojo (AGAP ), Olawale Jimoh (APA ) , Tope Adebayo (APDA ) , Lawrence Ayodele (APGA ),Adegboye Adejayi( BNPP ),David Adesua (DA) , Olarewaju Olalekan(DPC ) ,Yinka Akerele (DPP ), Sule Ganiyu (FJP ), Wale Akinyele(GPN ) , Tosin Ajibare (ID), Amuda Kazeem (Kowa) and Tae Lawal (LP)
Others include; Gregory Jegede (MMN ), Tunde Alegbeleye (NDLP), Oladosu Olaniyan (NPC ), Yinka Dada (PDC ) , Goke Animashaun(PPA), Dare Bejide (PPN ) ,Segun Adeleye(UDP ) , Femi Gboyega(UPN ) , Deji Fakorde (YDP ) and Tope Omotayo( YPP ).
There are 931,334 registered voters, 2,195 polling units, 256 voting points, 177 registrations areas across the 16 local government areas in the state.
At the end of the window for collection of the Permanent Voters Card on Wednesday July 11,2018, a total of number of 667,064 prospective voters have collected their PVC.
Apparently, the contest will be between the two dominant parties of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state and the All Progressives Congress(APC ).
In 2014 election, the incumbent Governor Fayose,who will be completing his four years tenure by October 16 polled 203,090 votes to defeat the then Governor Dr. Fayemi,who garnered 120,433 votes.
The candidate of the PDP , Prof. Olusola is backing on the achievement and political clouts of his boss,Fayose to win the poll, while Dr. Fayemi during his campaign made references to his record when he was governor and the backing of the federal government led APC.
The state governor has ostensibly took over the campaign of his deputy and candidate od the his party and many voters in the state have seen the contest between Governor Fayose and Dr. Fayemi.
Considering the events of recent days in the state which has really brought a kind of apprehension amongst the stakeholders , this might brings about voter apathy on election day.
Some of the electorates who spoke with The Politico have expressed optimism about the election and their determination to exercise their fundamental human rights on Saturday.
Bisi Olaoye said," I am ready and prepare to vote for my candidate come Saturday. We are calling on INEC and security agencies to ensure our votes count."
On his part, Richard Omoyele said," We will elect our governor on election day and we don't want violence in any guise. Peaceful election is what we want."
Nigeria police force has deployed 30,000 personnel to the state with additional 4,390 security personnel from Armed forces, the Nigeria Security and civil defense corps to complement the security arrangements.
As the voters in the state file out in their numbers to elect the governor for the next four years, many analysts hoped for a peaceful ,credible, fair and transparent election.
