Ex-Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola-Eleka of Ekiti has pulled out of the Ekiti South senatorial district race, accusing his ally, former Governor Ayodele Fayose of a double-cross.
Mr Olusola-Eleka, a former PDP governorship candidate in the 2018 election, announced his withdrawal on Thursday.

Mr Olusola-Eleka was endorsed by ex-Governor Ayo Fayose about a month ago to contest the Ekiti South senatorial seat.

The former deputy governor, in a letter he personally signed and addressed to the party, said he took the decision having consulted widely with his supporters across the 16 local government areas of the state.

He added that he agreed to contest the senatorial seat following emissaries from Mr Fayose and pressure from stakeholders.

“To my great surprise, Mr Ayodele Fayose who openly endorsed my candidacy for senate in my town, discretely aided another person from the same constituency to pick the same senatorial form. The above left me with no choice but to consider his endorsement as a facade and decoy,” explained Mr Olusola-Eleka.

“As a patriotic party man who is determined to protect the interest and ethos of the party, I congratulated the winner, Otunba Bisi Kolawole who is currently the candidate of the party,” he further stated. “I have decided not to dwell where there is no sincerity of purpose but an arrogant display of deception and hence, pull out from the contest.”

Mr Olusola-Eleka stressed that he would be available for further arrangements that will unite the party in the build-up to the June 18 governorship election.

(NAN)