There is growing anxiety in Ekiti State today as voters decide who would steer the ship of governance in the state in the next four years.
As things stand, the All Progressives Congress is still strong in Ekiti, but other major political parties are striving hard to take the ace.
For instance, the Peoples Democratic Party is unrelenting to win just as the influence of the Social Democratic Party, which is seen as third force, increases by the day.
Those following political developments in Ekiti State posited that the contest would particularly centre around Segun Oni of the SDP, Abiodun Oyebanji of the APC and Bisi Kolawole of the PDP.
However, the question of whether Segun Oni would outdo Oyebanji and Kolawole who are allies of Fayose and Tinubu respectively in today’s election remains a conjecture.
This is as much as the APC and the PDP are traditionally the two major players to beat in governorship races in Ekiti State before now.
The SDP is arguably a new entrant as the party’s popularity and prospect soar across the 16 local government councils of the state as the D-day comes.
Those who should know have noted that Oni and the SDP are dazzling like new brides in the political firmament of the state as the electorate go to the ballot.
Oni, a former governor of the state who hails from Ifaki Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area in Ekiti North Senatorial District, is a toast of the people as well as a friend to many traditional rulers in the state. His popularity allegedly discomforts other candidates in the race as the governorship election holds today.
The SDP candidate’s involvement in the race has added colour to the governorship race as many of his allies and army of supporters defected from the APC and PDP where he was a party leader at different times before pitching hos tent with the SDP.
His influence is believed to be most prevalent in Ido/Osi Local Government Council Area, Ado Ekiti, Ise/Orun, Emure, Irepodun, Ifelodun, Gbonyin, Moba, and Ikole.
Pundits however said that with its structures across the 177 wards in the state Oyebanji, governorship candidate of the APC from Ekiti West Local Government Council Area, stands a big chance at the poll.
It is believed by many people that the ruling party still has large control in the state moreso as the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the APC as the party’s presidential candidate, is said to be a morale and fortune booster that could determine a lot in the exercise.
APC’s impact is expected to be felt most in today’s election in Ado, Ikere, Oye, Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ekiti East, Ikole, Ido/Osi, and Ijero.
With the support of political bigwigs in the PDP, led by Ayo Fayose, former Ekiti State Governor, Oyebanji, who is the candidate of the party, is also expected to have a good showing.
Efon Local Government Council Area from where the governorship candidate hails, Irepodun/Ifelodun, Efon, Ikere, Ikole, Emure, and Ekiti East local government areas are marked as the centre of strength of the PDP in the state.
No one is sure of where the pendulum would swing. It is believed that the result of today’s election would be determined by the people and not by mere wish or illustration.
