Olamilekan Folayemi
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress APC Chief Adebayo Adelabu has expressed confidence that the excellent performance of Ekiti state governor Dr Kayode Fayemi will enable the electoral victory of the party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.
Adelabu who was a Governorship candidate in Oyo State in the 2019 general elections boasted that APC will continue the administration of Ekiti state with landslide victory in the June 18,2022 governorship poll while the People’s Democratic Party PDP would be defeated.
Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria spoke in Ado Ekiti on Saturday during the flag off of the N50 million empowerment programme by Demola Popoola Foundation at the Oluyemi Kayode stadium
The program was organized by an aviation expert cum Ekiti APC governorship aspirant, Chief Ademola Popoola.
The event hosted dignitaries within and outside the state ,among whom were a member of the National Assembly, Hon Sina Peller ,the Ekiti APC Chairman, Barrister Paul Omotoso and his deputy, and some Nigerian football legends,including Mutiu Adepoju(The Headmaster).
Adelabu said: “The APC led government in Ekiti has done well and that the next governor, which I know will come from APC would consolidate on the gains delivered by Fayemi-led government”.
He added that “We know Demola Popoola is a generous and committed politician. He is capable to be Ekiti governor. We know how capable and competent he is. He has passion for Ekiti. He loves his people .
“With the way he is going, he stands a very good chance of getting APC’s ticket. He is not here to play on people’s intelligence. I pray God endorses his ambition to be able to consolidate on what Governor Fayemi has done”.
Popoola said the N50m empowerment for traders, farmers, women groups and driver, motorcycle unions, was initiated to complement the poverty eradication policy of the Fayemi’s administration.
Popoola added that the event, which also featured football match supervised by Nigerian football legends like Mutiu Adepoju and Duke Udi, was conceptualised to spur sports and talents’ development in the state .
“Am particularly concerned about the prevailing economic hardship in the country and I know there was urgent need to lend hand of support to the people at this trying time..
“This is a practical demonstration of my covenant with the people . The beneficiaries will be drawn from the 16 local government areas of the state, regardless of political or religious affiliations.
“The beneficiaries will represent all the sectors of the economy and this will reflect in the distribution of the fund.
Okada riders, artisans and market women will be given priority in the scheme”.
In his remarks, Barrister Omotoso who hailed Popoola’s initiative said it was in line with cardinal objective of the APC to lift people out of poverty .
Popoola who highlighted some of the achievements of his foundation said he recently donated a sum of N1million to an undergraduate of the Federal University of Technology,Akure (FUTA), Akure ,who underwent brain surgery at the Afe Babalola Multisystem Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.
“The foundation also gave a sum of N500,000 to one Tayo Alabi who recently underwent a successful surgery for renal complications caused by his involvement in accident”he added.