Fayose dumps 80-year-old governorship running mate

Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State and flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next month’s governorship election in the state, has named a new running mate.

Fayose, who was governor between 2003 and 2007, has picked a new running mate for the election slated for June 21, replacing Pa Joshua Ojo, an 80-year-old retired teacher, with Dr. Olubunmi Olusola, an Associate Professor at the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Ile-Ife.

The PDP candidate revealed that the decision is a campaign strategy.

Mr. Dipo Anisulowo, the director-general of Fayose’s Campaign Organisation, said that submitting the name of the new running mate ahead of the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a strong point for their camp.

“The actual name of our deputy was kept close to our chest as a political strategy, since INEC timetable for the poll allowed for substitution of candidate or their deputies,” Anisulowo said.

“The choice of Olusola was arrived at in order to give the people of the southern part of the state a sense of belonging in the political calculation.”