By Seyi Babalola
A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Lere Olayinka, has cautioned an intending governorship aspirants in the State, Mrs Funmi Ogun, against attacking notable leaders in the State, saying “it is uncharitable, childish and will lead to another electoral failure for the particular aspirant.”
Olayinka, who was the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2 in the last year’s general elections, said Ekiti State has gone pass that era of politics of personal attacks, especially on leaders in the State.
In a release on Sunday, Olayinka, described a statement by Funmi Ogun, alleging that some godfathers of the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, were the ones eating the State resources, thereby making it impossible for the governor to perform as the height of advertisement of “political nonsensical nonsense.”
While challenging her to be bold enough to mention names of the godfathers, Olayinka said he hoped it was not a reference to Governor Oyebanji’s closeness to his predecessors like Ayo Fayose, Kayode Fayemi, Niyi Adebayo and Segun Oni as well as other notable leaders in the State like Chief Afe Babalola, Chief Deji Fasuan, Chief Wole Olanipekun and others.
“Is she crucifying the governor for treating leaders in the State with respect? Is buying vehicles for a former Governor like Asiwaju Segun Oni and Chief Fasuan, a man who led the struggle for the creation of Ekiti State is an offense for which an aspirant in the embryo will mount the podium and cry blue murder? This, to me is uncharitable and childish.
“Or the rebellion spirit in her has so matured that she will now accuse Fayose of collecting Ekiti State money from Governor Oyebanji, such that the governor has become incapacitated from delivering good governance? The same Fayose through whom she attained whatever political level that she is now?
“If the reference is to Fayose, then, people like myself will no longer keep silent because we cannot all be clothed with garments betrayer.”
While reiterating that he has not chosen to hold briefs for Governor Oyebanji and his government, Olayinka said, “It is not my duty to defend the governor and his government, he has enough people employed to do so. But when Fayose and other notable leaders in Ekiti State are being lied against and maligned by anyone, it behoves on people like myself to speak.
“Most importantly, how does it even sound for someone who played active roles in the construction of the Fajuyi – Ojumose bridge by the Fayose’s government, which I was part of to be condemning the construction of another bridge by the present government? Is that not self-indictment? Must we talk just for the sake of talking?
“Let me however say this clearly that if she thinks that she can win the PDP governorship ticket, she needs to be told to stop playing because the race is not for the runner.
“And with the level of endorsements being received by the governor, is it someone who was unable to pick PDP tickets for House of Assembly, Deputy Governor and House of Representatives that will confront him? Or did I not win my primary for House of Representatives under the same condition that she contested and lost?
“Isn’t it even better to contest in Delta State where her husband couldn’t contest councillorship rather than investing in another contest that will lead to yet another failure at the primary?”
Speaking on why he has not been criticizing Governor Oyebanji and his government, Olayinka said; “The PDP in Ekiti State has a spokesperson and that spokesperson is not Lere Olayinka. Let those in charge of the party do their jobs. As for me, I have gone pass that era of doing one-man opposition.
“Most importantly, if the present governor has chosen not to take anyone as his political enemy, but rather reaching out to everyone including Segun Oni, Otunba Bisi Kolawole and others who contested against him, I don’t also think I should take him as my own enemy too.”
