FORMER House of Representatives member and a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti state, Hon. Bimbo Daramola has reiterated that he is a very qualified candidate to take over from the incumbent governor of the state, Ayodele Fayose.
Daramola, while addressing newsmen shortly after his declaration for governor in Ado Ekiti, the state capital recently, stated that with his educational background, pedigree and vast experience with issues to do with governance, he is the best-placed candidate to transform the state.
He emphasized on the need to elect credible leaders with a proven track record, “I gave my people the best representation during my time in the House of Representatives where I sponsored bills that changed lives and there are life-changing projects to show in my constituency. I am a grassroots politician who is very close to the people, because our party, the APC, is about the people.
“By the grace of God, I am going to serve Ekiti better, if my party chooses me as its candidate and the electorates elect me as their governor. I believe I am the best candidate for the job and facts are there for all to see”.
“I know the history of the APC in Ekiti. I have been an active member of this party since 2006. I was active in the era of the Action Congress (AC) and later the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). We fought the battle for Kayode Fayemi to become governor for three and half years and I later went to the House of Representatives.
“So, I know the party in and out and I can say authoritatively that what we stand for is justice and fair play. I can also say that there are three ‘P’s in any party structure: the party, the people and politics. Out of the three ‘P’s, the people are the most important, because without the people, the party and its politics are useless.
“This party has a rich history and as an insider, I know where we got it wrong and I know how we can correct past mistakes and forge ahead stronger. If our members are not united or get what they deserve, then politics and party become useless and irrelevant. We must continue to build this party and be hopeful that we will return to power in 2018”, the ex- lawmaker continued.
The Director-General of Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation in the 2014 election against Governor Fayose, Daramola also disclosed that there was nothing Dr Fayemi’s government did not do to put the party in a vantage position to win the election. “But, let me tell you, we failed to address some little, little things within our party. We are going to address all these by the grace of God. I have the education, I have the pedigree, I have the experience which will come in handy, if I am elected by the good people of Ekiti State as their governor”, he vowed.
Reacting to challenges in the party, the governorship hopeful implored the State Working Committee to handle the primary with caution and to also take cognisance of the records and the contributions of each of the aspirants. “The Exco members must join hands with stakeholders to unify the party for effective mobilisation of people at the grassroots. All we need is fairness and unity. That is why I am assuring that I will be accountable to the leaders and treat them with utmost respect, if given the ticket.
“I am a team player and I respect the party leadership a lot.They should rate us based on our antecedents, loyalty and contributions to this great party, because we must not take chances in this forthcoming election. It is an election we should devote our time and energy to win”, he said.
