Ekiti group wants Segun Oni to take over from Fayose

The Nigeria Progressive Vanguard (NPV), a socio-economic group based in Ekiti state, is putting pressure on a former governor of Ekiti and current national deputy chairman (south) of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Engr Segun Oni, to help rescue the state by contesting in its forthcoming election.

 The group said it took the decision after a deep research and investigation into those who want to take over from Governor Ayodele Fayose in 2018. Daily Times reports that in a statement signed by the state chairman and the secretary of the group, Hon Lawal Adegoke-Bamayi and Tayo Ojo respectively, the association said: “Having observed clinically and objectively,
the crop of politicians going up and down secretly or openly to succeed the incumbent Governor Ayo Fayose, the fact that nobody among the aspirants could be seen as a desired character for Ekiti state in this crucial period necessitated the reason for the group to settle for Oni. “Though some of the aspirants so far are, no doubt, qualified to contest the election, but taking another risk of ‘trial by error governor’ may be too suicidal in the life of the state and the people, especially in this period.

 “It is on record that, the three and half years regime of Segun Oni in Ekiti state laid what could be best described as only solid, sincere and real developmental foundation in the state with interest of all people irrespective of political inclinations or backgrounds accommodated in the scheme of governance. “Contracts, political offices and civil service jobs were secured on merit compared to the present situation when mediocres are being promoted above intelligence and merit with only the governor and his immediate family deciding the fates of the entire state in their parochial ways. “Therefore, in order to prevent a situation where the external forces with no background knowledge of what is obtainable in the state will again be cajoled to support a particular aspirant among the current ones parading themselves, the group has decided to swing into action and call on Engr Segun Oni to show interest in the race. “The coming out of Oni will be a great sigh of relief for all Ekiti people who are already lost on what the future of the state will look like going by the level of decadence in all the sectors of the state economy due to mal-administration and lack of focus of the present government.

 “Ekiti needs someone who can change its present situation for a better in terms of economy rejuvenation in order to survive and develop like others unlike the present situation when the state meager resources are being wasted on self-serving projects in order to make quick and huge gains at the expense of the electorate by the people they voted for. “This is disservice and wickedness and the best option available for us in the state now is Segun Oni whom we believe if allowed to perform will change the direction of governance from parochial ways to civillised and selfless ones. “It is important to note that, the group is not against the aspiration of anybody, but what should be paramount this time around to all and sundry is the interest of the masses and the state as a whole.” Though Fayose still has a large followership in the state since he is considered a grassroots person, his government is also affected by the state of Nigeria’s economy.

 He is accused of not doing much since becoming governor other than to criticise the federal government and President Muhammadu Buhari. For example, he once accused Aisha Buhari, the president’s wife of being involved in the Halliburton scandal alleging that she was wantd in the United States for this. But Aisha recently traveled to the US where she spoke on the allegation from Fayose, but the relentless governor is now insisting that the president’s wife never went to the US.