Ekiti senatorial race: Ex-Federal Lawmaker, Faparusi drops ambition, gives reasons

Deputy Director General, Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation in the
July 14 governorship election, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi , has stepped
down his senatorial ambition ahead of 2019, saying he did this as a
price he should pay in the interest of the All Progressives Congress
(APC).

Faparusi, a former member of the House of Representatives, said no
Sacrifice is too much to make if such would promote cohesion within
the party and ensure the success of the Dr. Kayode Fayemi's incoming
government.

"Yes, I have stepped down. Nothing is too big to sacrifice as a loyal
party to stabilize the incoming government. We must do those things
that will make Dr. Fayemi to begin on a solid note. We shouldn't
constitute threat to his administration and it was on this premise
that I stepped down from the race in Ekiti South Senatorial District",
he said.

With this, the coast became clearer for another strong contender from
the district and former Minister of Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, who
may likely emerge by consensus.

Adeyeye, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship contender
defected to APC prior to the July 14 election due to irreconcilable
difference with Governor Ayodele Fayose, who was then backing his
Deputy, Prof Kolapo Olusola.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti on Thursday on the step taken by the
former federal parliamentarian, he said he decided to yield to the
pleas by leaders since he didn't perceive the ambition as a do-or-die
contest.

He said the sacrifice made would go a long way in influencing the
party to defeat the present occupant of the seat, Senator Biodun
Olujimi.

The former governorship aspirant appreciated the party leaders and
supporters for their unflinching beliefs in his capacity to deliver,
saying the step shouldn't be misconstrued to mean that he was afraid
of the primary.

"The last governorship election looks fiercer than the senatorial
contest, in spite of that, I maintained my stand to the end. I
contested against heavyweights like Dr Fayemi, Chief Segun Oni , Hon
Opeyemi Bamidele and others. I didn't chicken out. What I simply did
was in party's interest", he said.

He added further: "After the keenly contested governorship primary
election, we unanimously resolved our post-primary differences so as
to ensure the party's victory.

"I am not oblivious of the fact that this decision might not go down
well with some of my followers, but let me assure you that we will
have other opportunities to serve our people since service to the
people is not a function of the size of position one occupies.

"I appeal to all and sundry to continually pray for the success of the
impending Dr. Fayemi's administration, as his leadership will herald
growth and development through his administrative expertise and
cognate competence.

"Therefore, let us join hands in further reclaiming our land and
relentlessly advocate for the restoration of our values", he stated.