By Mumini AbdulKareem
Following the move by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the seat of late Hon Funke Adedoyin vacant, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) have picked their respective candidates to vie for the seat.
INEC, last week in Ilorin, fixed November 17, 2018 for the bye-election following the death of the federal lawmaker on September 2018.
Late Adedoyin from Ajase ward II, represented Irepodun/Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Isin federal constituency at the National Assembly.
The PDP named a House of Assembly aspirant in the recently concluded party primaries, Alhaji Jimoh Alatise as its consensus candidate for the exercise.
His choice was confirmed by the Chairman of the party, Engr Kola Shittu last night during a telephone chat with our reporter.
In the same vein, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Tunde Ashaolu, said Alatise’s candidacy was affirmed by all delegates from the four local government areas that make up the constituency at the primary election adding that the election was monitored by INEC officials.
Ashaolu disclosed that Alatise hails from Omu-Aran ward II of Irepodun Local Government and described him as a successful businessman and a tested and trusted grassroots politician whose influence cuts across his constituency.
He also expressed confidence that the PDP will emerge victorious in the forthcoming November 17 bye-election.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has announced Raheem Tunji Olawuyi widely known as Ajulo-Opin as its consensus candidate for the bye-election.
The party made the announcement yesterday in Omu-Aran after the candidate’s affirmation by delegates from the 42 wards making up the Federal constituency.
The election was supervised by the electoral panel chairman from Nasarawa State, Dr Usman Zanna who urged party members to maintain the unity and work for the party to ensure that the candidate emerge victorious in the election.
The state Chairman of the faction led by Hon Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa said that with the successful nomination of Ajulo-Opin as the party’s flag bearer, the crises that bedevilled the party after the gubernatorial and National Assembly primary election has been settled.
He said the election is a test of the popularity of the party and a pointer to what will be expected in the general elections in Kwara State.
In his acceptance speech, Ajulo-Opin thanked the party members and the people of the constituency for the opportunity to represent them and promised best representation in the National Assembly if elected.
