Adebayo Adenrele
The Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) Caucus within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ekiti State has unanimously endorsed former Secretary to the State Government, Ambassador Dare Bejide, as its preferred governorship aspirant for the forthcoming election in the state.
The endorsement was announced on Thursday during a strategic meeting held in Ado-Ekiti with ward members, which converged hundreds of supporters across the 16 local government areas of the state.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Bejide clarified that his endorsement by the PDM does not equate to automatic candidacy, as the party would still conduct a primary election to officially select its flagbearer.
He described the PDM as a coalition of like-minded individuals who recently joined the ADC, noting that similar political blocs also exist within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), among others.
In his acceptance, Bejide reiterated his commitment to tackling poverty and promoting inclusive economic development in Ekiti State, outlining his plans to drive job creation, support small businesses and encourage self-employment among residents if elected.
Bejide also decried the deplorable state of road infrastructure across the state, promising to implement strategic interventions to ensure improved accessibility to all parts of Ekiti.
He further pledged to create an enabling environment that allows residents to maximize their potential by participating in a people-oriented and inclusive government.
Bejide added, “My vision is to reduce poverty by promoting economic development through job creation and retention, self-employment and also create an enabling environment where every resident of Ekiti has the opportunity to achieve his or her full potentials, contribute to and participate in a new government of the people by the people for the people.
“My 7-point agenda include: Improved Funding for Education, More attention to Agriculture, Improved access to quality and affordable Health Care Services, Provision of Infrastructure and Integrated Rural Development.
“Others are prompt Payment of Salaries, allowances and Pensions, Economic Development and Poverty Alleviation, Youth and Women Empowerment.
“It saddens my heart whenever I look at the road network in Ekiti, we are going to bring in proper mechanisms to fix those lapses and make Ekiti a subnational to be proud of”.
A former Commissioner of Ekiti Local Government Service Commission, Ajibola Oyedele exuded confidence in the capacity of Bejide to bring growth and development to Ekiti as a result of his homegrown tentacles spread across the state.
Also, Chief Segun Akinwunmi urged party members not to despair people from other political parties but to befriend them, so that it would be easy to convince them into the progressive train of ADC.
The meeting also had in attendance of personalities such as a former State Chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Dele Ekunola, Hon Moka Tomiwa, Prince Michael InuIbile, Victoria Ojo, Adenike Ojo, among others.
