Former Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area, Hon. Omotunde Fajuyi, has predicted a major upset in the June 20 Ekiti governorship election, declaring that residents are preparing what she described as a “Thumb Revolution” to vote out the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Fajuyi spoke on Monday during Inside Scoop, a current affairs programme on Adamimogo 105.1FM, where she accused the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of suppressing opposition voices and creating an uneven playing field ahead of the poll.
According to her, the ruling party has deployed the advantages of incumbency to intimidate political opponents, alleging that opposition parties have faced restrictions in accessing public facilities for campaign activities.
“The incumbent has all the paraphernalia of office to use. The sitting governor has gagged almost everybody and it is all about him in the build-up to this election,” she said.
Despite the alleged challenges, Fajuyi expressed confidence in the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, saying growing public dissatisfaction with the current administration could produce an electoral upset.
She described Oluyede, a medical practitioner with more than four decades of experience and a background in Australia’s rural healthcare system, as a candidate with the professional pedigree and financial independence required for leadership.
According to the former council chairman, the PDP standard-bearer has succeeded in reuniting previously divided forces within the opposition and has continued to attract large crowds during campaign outings across the state.
“The people have decided on what I call a Thumb Revolution. They want to vote out bad government and bring in a more responsible government without violence,” she said.
Fajuyi claimed that recent campaign events organised by the opposition recorded massive attendance, which she described as evidence of silent resistance against the ruling party.
She also alleged that residents were groaning under economic hardship and excessive taxation, insisting that many Ekiti people were yearning for change.
“There is starvation on the faces of the people. Go to the markets and see what is happening. For all that has come into Ekiti, there is no commensurate work done,” she said.
The former local government boss further criticised what she termed political oligarchy in the state, questioning the concentration of political appointments among a few individuals and families.
Responding to questions on the chances of the opposition, Fajuyi disclosed that a recent opinion survey indicated that 48 per cent of respondents would vote against the present administration because they believed government policies had not positively affected the majority of the people.
She added that several smaller political parties and their supporters were quietly aligning with the PDP candidate, expressing optimism that the June 20 poll would reflect the mood of the electorate.
“People don’t have to take to the streets. The revolution is through the thumb. Ekiti people are determined to use their votes to bring about change,” she said.
