By Dapo Akinrefon
THE race towards the 2011 elections has continued to gather momentum.
Already, politicians of different shades are gearing up to emerge as the candidates of their respective political parties.

These aspirants have so far signified their interests to vie for the various elective posts.
Ekiti State is not different as politicians, from home and abroad have been making consultations and at the same time seeking endorsements from party leaders and elders.

Worthy of note is Ekiti Central Senatorial District, where some gladiators have signified interest to vie for the Senate.

The array of competitors from this district, who are in the race for the plum job, has set all eyes on the state. This district comprises Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ado_Ekiti Local, Ijero, Efon and Ekiti West Local Government Councils.

With the recent Court of Appeal judgement, which ousted Engr Segun Oni of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and gave victory to Governor Kayode Fayemi of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, it is believed that this time around, the PDP will be given a run for its money.

However, observers of political events in the state are disturbed over the possible outcome of the primaries especially in the ACN.

Already, former Managing Editor of The News magazine, Mr. Babafemi Ojudu; former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake; current Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele and the current occupier of the seat, Senator Bode Ola are the front line contenders for the senatorial seat. Aside these three, a former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Fayose of the Labour Party and quite a handful from the PDP are also in the race.

ACN set for a tight race
The ACN is seen to have more contenders for the seat and the contest is expected to be very keen. If the primaries were improperly handled, pundits fear it might hamper the chances of the ACN. Three out of the four aspirants in the race have allegedly rejected the consensus candidacy suggested by concerned party elders. Today’s contest has the possibility of either making or marring the party in the state, if caution was not taken.

Bode Ola seeks fresh term
He is the current occupier of the seat. He assumed power after a court ruling sacked PDP’s Femi Kila from the Senate. Ola is also seeking re_election.

Ola is expected to rely on his performance in the Senate to scale through. His critics are of the view that the lawmaker has not made much impact on the district in terms of constitency projects abnd attraction of federal presence within his one and half years year stint.

Ojudu, a journalist seeking to make a mark
The journalist cum-pro_democracy activist, Ojudu has proved to be a formidable force to reckon with. The senatorial aspirant played a prominent role in the fight against the dictatorship ofGen. Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha dictatorships. He explained that his decision to join the race was based on the fact that Ekiti State presently lacked quality representation in the National Assembly with the present crop of federal legislators from the state.

Alake, Bamidele in battle of wits
Alake whose life is anchored on good works, has always said he would like to affect his environment positively. And this he hopes to start implementing by first snatching the ACN ticket.

Bamidele has shown the stuff he’s made of in terms of grassroots politics. To many, he has exhibited that he is financially capable and this, he has done in funding the party at the state level.

Besides, political pundits assert that Bamidele has so far enjoyed massive support, just as they argued that it would be working against the tide to pretend not to see his efforts.

PDP to wage a tough battle
The PDP also has a plethora of equally formidable aspirants.
Though, he was sacked by a Court of Appeal, Senator Kila has also thrown his hat in the race. Apart from Kila, the party has aspirants like a former governorship aspirant, Chief Reuben Famuyibo; Kayode Alufa, Femi Adeyemi, Obafemi Oye and Mrs Fatimo Raji_Rasaki eyeing the coveted senatorial seat. Kila held the seat for months before was shown the exit door by the law court.

Chief Famuyibo is not new to politics in Nigeria as a whole and Ekiti in particular. He was a presidential aspirant and is believed to have been oiling his machinery in Ekiti State towards his ambition.
Oye is also believed to have a large support base in the district.

As the only female contender among the pack, Mrs Raji-Rasaki, should not be shoved aside as her being a member of the House of Representatives is also seen to give her an edge.

It is generally believed that the Lagos-based politicians have besieged the state and are going to give the PDP a run for its money.

Besides the AC and the PDP, there  is the LP, which is being nurtured by Mr. Fayose. In recent time, LP’s activities have constituted a matter of concern to other parties in the state. Already, many aspirants have sprung up within the party too, but some of them have been largely silent on the position they are gunning for.

As the race gathers storm and particularly, as the ACN conducts its primaries, it is hoped that the best candidates would emerge.