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Meet Top Three PDP Governorship Aspirants in Ekiti State

Published

8 years ago

April 21, 2018

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

With the declaration by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State that he is giving his support to his Deputy as the next governor, notable divisions has erupted within the party’s rank and file.

With the likes Sikiru Lawal and Abiodun Aluko quitting the party, stakeholders believe that trouble is lurking behind. However, while many of the aspirants have gone low key, a good many others are still breathing fire and brimstone. Here is a compilation of the strength and weaknesses of three more prominent contenders from the lot.

Kolapo Olusola

The man famously known as Ekede is without doubt the most favoured of all Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants for the Ekiti governorship seat. This is because he has the mandate of the present Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose. He is without mincing words, the ‘anointed one’.

Fayose’s open support for Olusola, who is presently the Deputy Governor of the state, is the biggest assurance that he is going to grab the ticket to represent the PDP at the polls.

The 49 years old Prof. Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola was born to the family of Elder and Deaconess Olusola Ojo Eleka of Eleka’s compound in Ikere-Ekiti.

He started his education at St. Matthew’s Primary School, Ikere-Ekiti in 1972 and completed it in 1978 when he proceeded to Annunciation School, Ikere-Ekiti for his Secondary School Education, which he completed in 1983. He performed exceptionally while in school, and was constantly winning the best student award.

Between 1984 and 1989, he attended the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and obtained his first degree in Building. Again, he graduated as the best student in his set. Prof Kolapo Olusola also holds a Master’s Degree in Construction Technology from the University of Lagos in 1993 and Ph.D. in Building Structures from Obafemi Awolowo University in 2005.

Prof Kolapo Olusola started his career in 1990 as a Graduate Assistant from where he rose through the ranks to become an Associate Professor in 2009.

Until his election as Deputy Governor in 2014, Prof Olusola was enjoying a career in the Department of Building, Obafemi Awolowo University as a classroom teacher. His lecturing career spanned 24 years with over 50 academic research publications in local and international journals and conference proceedings to his credit.

Apart from age being on his side, he is known to be very diligent, hardworking and principled. As an epitome of humility, he radiates love and affection towards people around him. Again, his unflinching loyalty to his boss, the Executive Governor of Ekiti State is notable and has made both the young and old people of Ekiti adjudge him as “Stabilizing Factor” and a special gift not only to his boss but to the entire people of Ekiti State. This also earned him the anointed status as the next governor.

Abiodun Olujinmi

Biodun Christine Olujimi is a serving lawmaker in the upper legislative house, representing Ekiti South Senatorial District. Just about the only woman in the race presently, Olujimi was born to a Photographer father and Seamstress mother on Christmas day of 1958. She hails from Omuo-Ekiti in Ekiti South Local Government Area of Ekiti State Nigeria.

Biodun Olujimi had her early education at our Lady of Apostles, Ibadan, Oyo State, and went ahead to obtain a Diploma in Journalism from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism. She obtained a degree in Political Science and a postgraduate degree in Public Relations and Marketing from the University of Abuja and holds a certificate in IT with emphasis on web Development from the Michigan State University.

Biodun Olujimi had been a hard nut to crack in her political sojourn, remaining a vocal voice on the floor of the Senate, especially on matters relating to women and children. Her desire to care for others is borne out of the fact that she is a product of a hard-working lower class family that did not create opportunities for children like her. She therefore, made it her life’s work to ‘fight’ for lower class families.

Biodun cut her career teeth at the age of fourteen when she became a shop assistant in a fabric shop in Lagos. From the proceeds, she assisted her large family of seven siblings, and still saved for her education. Her story is a typical example of grass to grace.

She also had stints with the Nigerian Tribune, Nigerian Posts and Telecommunication, Nigerian Television Authority, the Delta Steel Company Ovwian Aladja, Reflex Concept and DBN Television before delving into politics in 1997 as the National Publicity Secretary of the now defunct NCPN.

Upon the dissolution of NCPN, Biodun joined the All Peoples Congress and eventually became the National Publicity Secretary.

She later joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2002 and has attained great heights in her political Career. She was appointed Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Ekiti State in 2003 and was later elected to the Federal house of Assembly. In 2005, she became the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State under Governor Ayo Fayose.

Later, Mrs. Olujimi became Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Ekiti State under Governor Segun Oni as well as Director of Women Affairs, Goodluck-Sambo Campaign Organisation at the 2011 General Election. She is one aspirant that has seen the in and out of politics. Her experience is overwhelming. If the women could rally round her as one of their own, then other aspirants should beware.

Biodun and her husband Chief Ariyo Olujimi, have been married for 32 years and their marriage is blessed with Children and Grand-children.

Adebisi Omoyeni

Popularly known as the true emblem of Ekiti people, Jeremiah Bisi Omoyeni was born January 16, 1958 in Ikere-Ekiti to Late Chief Omotayo Gabriel Omoyeni and Mrs. Bosede Beatrice Omoyeni under the tutelage of his biological parents. He reportedly found himself in the midst of a family already devoted to the tenets of Christianity and continued to grow with the fear of the God.

He started his primary school education in 1964, at the Holy Trinity primary School, Odo Oja, Ikere-Ekiti and completed it in 1969. Between 1970 and 71, he attended St. Benedict Modern School, Ikere-Ekiti before proceeding to Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti where he completed his secondary education 1975.

He later trained as a teacher at the St. John Mary’s Teachers Training College, Owo between 1976 and 1977, and in 1979, he was admitted into the then University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo, Ile-Ife) to study Demography but after a session he moved over to the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos where he graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Insurance in 1983. His brilliance earned him a Federal Government Merit/Scholarship as the best student in Insurance and Actuarial Sciences Department in 1981. He is also a holder two additional postgraduate degrees which he obtained from the University of Lagos. They are Masters in Banking and Finance (MBF) and International Law and Relation in 1991 and 1993 respectively.

Omoyeni is a thoroughbred professional, rising steadily in his chosen career to become the Managing Director of Wema Bank.

In 2014, he tried his hands at the governorship seat, but was unsuccessful as the incumbent governor, Ayodele Fayose, was declared winner.

Featured

FCCPC Uncovers Patterns of Price Manipulation by Local Airlines

Published

14 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Eric

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has uncovered patterns of price manipulation perpetrated by some local airlines during the last festive season.

The findings are contained in the interim report released on Thursday by the Commission’s department of Surveillance and Investigations, according to a statement signed by the Director, Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, and made available to The Boss.

Recall that the Commission announced an industry-wide investigation earlier in January.

The forensic exercise benefitted from data collated by the Commission from airlines operating local routes in the country.

The report compares domestic airline pricing from the December 2025 festive period with post-peak January 2026 fare levels.

Preliminary analysis indicates that fares recorded during the December peak were materially higher than those observed in the post-peak period across several routes despite relative stability in critical operating variables like fuel price, government taxes and foreign exchange.

The differences observed in fares therefore appear to reflect airlines’ arbitrary pricing decisions, including yield management and capacity allocation, rather than any variation in regulatory fees.

Route-level analysis shows that higher fares coincided with periods of reduced seat availability during predictable seasonal demand peaks. On some high density routes, peak fares were clustered within relatively narrow ranges across several operators.

For instance, on certain corridors like Abuja-Port Harcourt, peak fares were several times higher than corresponding post-peak levels. On selected routes, the difference in the price of a single ticket reached approximately ₦405,000. Median fares across the sampled routes also rose markedly during the festive window when compared with post-peak benchmarks.

However, the interim report recognises that seasonal demand pressures, scheduling constraints and fleet utilisation may also affect pricing during peak travel periods.

These factors remain under consideration as part of the Commission’s ongoing review.

Commenting on the release of the interim report, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the review is part of the Commission’s statutory responsibility to promote competitive markets and safeguard consumers.

“This assessment is intended to provide clarity on pricing behaviour during predictable peak travel periods. The Commission’s role is not to disrupt legitimate commercial activity, but to ensure that market outcomes remain consistent with competition and consumer protection principles under the law,” Mr. Bello said.

He noted that the Commission is conducting further structural and route-level analysis before reaching any conclusions.

“It is important to emphasise that this is an interim report. Our next action will be dictated by full facts established at the end of the review exercise. Then, the Commission will decide whether any regulatory guidance, engagement or enforcement steps are necessary, strictly in accordance with the law,” he said.

The report identifies the possible relevance of Sections 59, 72, 107, 108, 124 and 127 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, which respectively address the prohibition of agreements in restraint of competition, the prohibition of abuse of a dominant position, the offence of price-fixing, conspiracy to commit offences under the Act, the right to fair dealings, and the prohibition of unfair, unreasonable or unjust contract terms.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bello announced that foreign airlines will come under FCCPC radar after the ongoing review of local airlines in view of widespread complaints of exploitative fares they allegedly charge Nigerians on certain routes compared to fares in neighbouring countries that are of equal distance.

Featured

Many Killled, Houses Torched As Terrorists Unleash Deadly Attacks on Adamawa Communities

Published

20 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Eric

At least 25 ⁠people were killed and several houses torched after gunmen attacked two villages late on Tuesday in Adamawa State, northeast ‌Nigeria, residents and the ‌state governor said on Wednesday.

The attackers struck Kirchinga in Madagali ⁠district ⁠and Garaha in neighbouring Hong, two villages on the edge of the Sambisa Forest where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operate.

The twin raids highlight the enduring insecurity in Nigeria’s northeast, the epicentre of a 17-year Islamist insurgency, despite years of ⁠military ⁠campaigns.

Abubakar Lawan Kanuri, the ⁠village head of Kirchinga, told Reuters the attackers arrived on Tuesday evening dressed in military uniforms ⁠that initially led residents to mistake them for soldiers on patrol. He said 18 bodies were recovered after the gunmen swept through the community.

In Garaha, seven people were killed when ⁠gunmen on more than 50 motorcycles stormed the village and attacked ⁠a nearby military base, said resident Musa Isa, who added he “narrowly escaped.”

They advanced from several directions and hit the military base, killing three soldiers. Four fleeing residents were shot, and a school was also burned. Many villagers have since fled to Mubi, the nearest big town, Isa said.

Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri condemned the attacks ⁠as “cowardly acts of terrorism” and vowed not to “let terrorists undermine our efforts to restore peace and stability,” according to a statement from his spokesman.

Source: usnews.com

Featured

Gunmen Attack Edo Palace, Kill Chief, Abduct Two Daughters

Published

23 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Eric

Gunmen have killed a high-ranking palace chief in Iduah Kingdom, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, and abducted two of his daughters.

The victim, Chief Jimah Jacob Ogboi, was reportedly attacked at his residence on Monday night.

Sources said the assailants stormed the house and shot the chief at close range. His wife was also attacked with machetes and other dangerous weapons, leaving her seriously injured.

One of the deceased’s sons, Lucky, said he had stepped out to purchase an item when the attack occurred.

“I received a call that my father had been shot. When I returned home, I met my mother in a critical condition, and my two sisters had been taken away,” he said.

A community source disclosed that the incident prompted an emergency meeting of elders to deliberate on possible steps toward securing the release of the abducted daughters and addressing the underlying causes of the attack.

The traditional ruler of the community, HRH Alhaji Amedu Momoh, appealed to the Edo State Government and security agencies to urgently intervene and strengthen security in the area.

“About four armed men went to the house of one of our chiefs. They shot him and abducted two of his daughters. The Nigerian Police and other security agencies have been here since the incident occurred,” he said.

“We need assistance in tackling security issues. The government should come to our aid. There had been relative calm in our land, but it appears the attackers have regrouped.”

The monarch also expressed concern over what he described as increasing attacks on farmlands by suspected herdsmen.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, CSP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident and said investigations had commenced.

She added that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was in Ekpoma, Edo Central, alongside other senior officers to address the security situation.

“I can confirm the incident. The Commissioner of Police and other top officers are currently in the area to forestall further attacks. The police have launched an investigation into the killing and abduction,” she said.