Ekiti in view

EKITI State was created on October 1, 1996 by then Head of State, Gen   Sani Abacha, in a national broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 36th independence anniversary.

It was carved out of the former Ondo State, which was part of the old Western State created in 1967.

Local govt areas

The Land of Honour as the state is also known as, has 16 local councils, namely: Ado, Ekiti East, Gbonyin, Ekiti Southwest, Ekiti West, Efon Alaaye, Emure, lse/Orun, Ido/Osi, ljero, Ikere, Ikole, Irepodun/lfelodun, Moba, llejemeje and Oye. The apex of the administrative areas is the capital, Ado Ekiti.

Population

According to the 1991   census, the state had 824,224 males and 804,538 females making a total of 1,628,762. while the the 2006 population census by the National Population Commission,NPC, put the population of the state at 2,384,212 people.

Location

Ekiti is located between latitudes 7°25′ and 80°5’N and between longitudes 4°45′ and 5°46 east. The state is bound in the North by Kwara and Kogi states; Osun State to the West. In the east of Ekiti is Edo State, while it is bounded in the south by Ondo State.
Fayemi

The incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi said the creation of more jobs will top his agenda, if re-elected.He also recognised sustained infrastructure development as one of the key priorities of his development agenda for second term in office with a pledge to recommit himself to the good and increased service delivery to the people of Ekiti State.

Other strategic areas in his manifesto; include road and farmstead development, food security through commodity-based approach to agricultural development, establishment of a framework for fiscal sustainability, strengthening the institutional capacity of the state’s civil service for improved service delivery, amongst others.

Bamidele

Labour Party,LP, governorship candidate Opeyemi Bamidele promised to introduce a new concept into Nigerian politics if elected governor by not drawing a salary and donating his pay to charitable causes. He also promised to serve for one term.

Fayose

Mr Ayo Fayose of the PDP said he would run an all-inclusive government, if elected.

The PDP candidate said he would put necessary measures in place to ensure rapid social-economic development of the state. He promised to be fair to aggrieved members of the party in the state if elected .

Ajayi

Accord Party candidate in Ekiti State, Mr Kole Ajayi, pledged that his government would tackle unemployment through a complete holistic policy. Ajayi said technical education would be given a boost, while the already existing technical colleges would be upgraded with modern equipment.

Candidates and their acronyms

In the cause of the electioneering campaigns, some of the contenders have been addressed with acronyms. And these acronyms have become popular in Ekiti State and they have also been used as campaign slogans in the three frontline political parties.

MOB

The Labour Party candidate, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, he is fondly referred to MOB, by his supporters and admirers. These are the initials of his name Michael Opeyemi Bamidele

JKF

The candidate APC, Dr John Kayode Fayemi’s acronym is JKF. Most of the inscriptions on billboards, flyers, T-shirts and face caps are usually adorned with JKF.

Osokomole

Many people may not know who is referred to as Osokomole or what it means.

In Ekiti State, Osokomole is the name given to the governorship candidate of the PDP, Mr Ayodele Fayose when he was in government in 2003.

Though, not many understand what Oskomole means or stands for, but Mr Fayose’s admirers and supporters prefer addressing him by such name.

Past governors