Three months after the Ekiti State Government disclaimed a Presidential campaign poster of Governor John Kayode Fayemi, New National Star can authoritatively reveal that the governor is not only interested in running for the nation’s highest political office, but he is already seeing himself in Aso Rock, seat of power.
Investigations conducted by New National Star revealed that although the state government debunked knowledge of what it branded an ill-timed and preposterous poster with the speed of light, and the initiator of the alleged unsolicited poster, Otunba Femi Ayodele, Chairman, Ikere Local Government Council suspended, the aim of the governor’s political egg-heads had been achieved.
Specifically, it was gathered that an expanded meeting of key loyalists of the governor was held early in August, this year in Ado Ekiti with the sole aim of testing the political waters and gauging public reactions to the issue of the governor running for the highest political office.
Part of the strategy designed for the test was to unveil, albeit unsolicited, campaign materials in hard copies and on the social media platforms, messages suggesting that the governor was interested in the presidential race. This was to be promptly disclaimed while the governor’s key supporters allowed the message contained in the poster to percolate so deeply in the psyche of Nigerians.
It was gathered that while attention from the governor must have been diverted, efforts should be made to”reach-out to other geopolitical “ zones in the country to ‘sell’ the governor’s intention to them. “That was what informed the appointment of a highly-rated media practitioner in the last few months into the government. He was made a Senior Special Assistant(SSA), but I am sure he operates like a Director-General. He operates outside Ado Ekiti, the state capital, but his main brief is to sell the governor’s candidacy to his friends and professional colleagues in the northern part of the country “, a source who sought anonymity informed New National Star.
Governor Fayemi who is the current Chairman of the Influential Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) was a former minister in the All Progressives Congress led government of President Muhammadu Buhari. With these two caps on his head, he is said to enjoy tremendous closeness and unrestricted access to President Buhari.
NGF has displayed its enormous political strength twice since the beginning of the fourth republic. First was when the Governor’s Forum held former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the jugular and insisted that Obasanjo must announce Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as his running mate or else they would not support him. The Forum also re-enacted his humongous powers when its members in Edo and Ondo states were seeking reelection.
They ensured that once a member of the Forum, he must be supported for a second term, party affiliation notwithstanding. Furthermore, the Forum saw to the abrupt and wondrous dissolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling APC.
In addition, Governor Fayemi is believed to have the endorsement of young political Tucks from the northern part of the country who see his cool mein, despite his academic prowess and his loyalty to President Buhari as an asset. These sets of political lords believe Governor Fayemi could be better managed than his estranged political godfather from Lagos states, Alhaji Bola Tinubu, whose imaginary political powers are recently being demystified.
A curious twist to the 2023 Presidential race is perhaps Vice President Yemi Osibajo who also tested the political waters some weeks ago when his campaign posters appeared on some major streets. As expected, he denounced the posters but those familiar with how politicians work and think explained that the Vice President may also throw his hat in the ring when the time is ripe. Osibajo is believed to enjoy tremendous support from some South-south, Southwest and Southeast elder statesmen and political leaders who are said to be calculating his steps.
Incidentally, both Osinbajo and Fayemi are political prodigies of President Buhari. Commenting on the Fayemi presidential ambition, Afenifere chieftain, Comrade Yinka Odumakin in a chat with New National Star on the telephone said; “We need somebody who can speak the language of the world. We need a leader who can connect with young people. Fayemi is still young”, adding that in 2023, Nigerians should lookout for a leader who can respect Nigerians. We should lookout for a leader who has character, who should be a leader for all Nigerians. APC Southwest Publicity Secretary, Hon. Oladapo Karounwi, also an Ekiti indigene said;’’ Gov. Fayemi represents a new generation of young politicians that are making waves. He is operating in the digital frame and fits to be considered for the seat.
He is a team player and detribalized individual, who can bind all the diverse Nigerian nationals together with his brain, national and global networks as well as his vitality”. But Yinka Oyebode, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Fayemi in dismissing the August presidential posters said his principal was determined to concentrate on giving back to the people of the state the real dividends of democracy and would not be distracted in any way. “Fayemi does not have any knowledge of the campaign posters nor did he authorise Mr. Ayodele or any person or group of persons to start a campaign on his behalf. As a matter of fact, Mr. Ayodele does not and cannot speak for the Governor on any matter, be it policy, administrative or political.”, he stressed.