As the Peoples Democratic Party will on July 13 hold congresses in 25 states including Ekiti State to elect new chairmen and other executive members, the contest for the chairmanship position of the party in Ekiti State is gradually gathering momentum as a notable politician in the State, Chief Segun Akinwumi has indicated interest in vying for the post.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday at the State Secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ado-Ekiti, the State capital, Hon. Akinwumi disclosed that it takes experienced and seasoned politician like himself to lead the struggle for the party to be victorious in the next governorship election in the State.
Having been favoured by the political arrangements in place based on equity, equality, justice and fair play, he noted that the People’s Democratic Party was once the toast of Ekiti people where almost everybody wanted to be a member because it was the party controlling the government at the Federal level.
According to the aspirant who was accompanied by several members of the Party across all the local government areas of the State, “my mission here today is essentially to get myself used to the press, the public and our party members on my desire to provide leadership for the People’s Democratic Party in Ekiti State as a state Chairman”.
The former Commissioner said, currently the PDP in Ekiti State is still finding its feet due to the situation it finds itself as everyone seems to be the same now that they are not in government both at the state and federal levels.
Noting that the spirits of all party members are high, Chief Akinwumi said Ekiti people are looking for alternative and replacement for the APC government come 2026. “I am not saying it must be me compulsorily, but I know I can deliver. Therefore, they should prefer me to any other candidate. I have begun the race since March, last year. I have visited the leaders in the Southwest
“The leaders are trying to put everything in order, based on the alignment and realignment of various groups within the Party to have a formidable front ahead of the subsequent elections. The question on the lips of an average Ekiti person is that, is PDP ready to provide the alternative platform come 2026, looking at the situation on ground?
The aspirant affirmed that it is achievable if they can get it right based on the principle of equity, justice and fair play that have been the hallmarks of the party which made PDP to form government of Ekiti State in 2003, 2007 and 2014 respectively. The man who understands politics inside out, said all he’s agitating for now is return of the party to the original owners.
Chief Segun Akinwumi CSA, who was born in 1958, hails from Iye-Ekiti in Ilejeme Local Government Area of Ekiti. He had his first degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanajo University. He was the President, Regional Planning Students Association of Nigeria for two sessions before he graduated. He had his Masters in Environmental Management at the former Ondo State University, now Ekiti State University and had served in various capacities.