PDP GUBER ASPIRANTS IN SHOCK

Friday's declaration of Dr Kayode Fayemi by the Court of Appeal, Ilorin, as winner of the gubernatorial election in Ekiti State left many members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state in shock.

Investigation revealed that many of the politicians, especially those aspiring to upstage the ousted governor, Segun Oni, at the primaries of the party slated for later this year were shell shocked at the court's declaration.

Some of the guber aspirants, who had hoped to cash in on the wide disaffection among party members against Oni, have even paid N5million to obtain nomination forms from the national headquarters of the party.

With the turn of events in the state, it is clear there wil not be governorship election in Ekiti in 2011, as Fayemi's four-year tenure would not lapse until October 2014. Unfortunately, no fewer than four aspirants had obtained the PDP governorship nomination forms for the party primaries. They are Professor Yinka Akerele, Prince Yinka Oni, Adeyanji Bodunde and Segun Oni himself.

When contacted, one of the aspirants lamented the turn of events and confessed that the 'latest development has altered a lot of things in the state as far as 2011 polls are concerned.'

Although he did not comment on the nomination fee already paid, what becomes of the amount is an issue that would also bother the aspirants. It is feared that the money might never be refunded But a source at the PDP headquarters in Abuja hinted that 'the party might look into the case of the Ekiti (guber) aspirants since there would not be guber primaries in that state again.'

However, a member of the party, who had also indicated interest in the House of Representatives in 2011, expressed fear over what might become his aspiration as Fayemi's incumbency factor might count on election day. Apart from the shock from aspirants, some party members also blamed the verdict on the ineffective management style of Segun Oni.

Perhaps, the drama and shock that trailed the Appeal Court verdict was succinctly brought out by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Gboyega Oyewole, who reportedly collapsed in Ilorin after the five judges of the Court of Appeal unanimously declared the ACN candidate as winner of the re-run election in the state.

He was rushed to the hospital where he was revived.

The former governor, although shocked at the sudden turn of event, simply told newsmen that he has accepted the verdict of the court in good faith and wished Fayemi well in piloting the affairs of the state.