By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti
The Senior Special Assistant to the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Electoral Matters, Mr. Olaiya Kupolati has resigned his position and defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial elections slated for June 18 in the state.
In a letter dated March 23, 2022 and addressed to the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Kupolati, said his resignation takes effect from March 30, 2022.
Kupolati, however, said his resignation was in tandem with the new Electoral Act, which stipulated that every appointee seeking political office should resign accordingly, saying he intends to contest for the House of Assembly on the platform of SDP.
The letter reads: “I, Kupolati Olaiya, the Senior Special Assistant on Electoral Matters, hereby resigns my position with effect from 30th March, 2022.
“I really appreciate Mr Governor for giving me the opportunity to serve the good people of Ekiti State”.
Stressing further on his resignation and subsequent defection to SDP at his ward in Iye Ekiti, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, on Wednesday, Kupolati, predicated this on his preference for Oni,he described as having a better experience and pedigree to govern Ekiti.
Kupolati said: “I perceive former governor Segun Oni as the best man for Ekiti after Governor Fayemi at this trying time and I am ready to support him.
“The former governor is a man of the people. A man of integrity, with unblemished records. He has a better pedigree. He performed very well while in office in his first term, so he deserves a reelection by every standard.
“I am also following the trend in town, especially my people in Ilejemeje, they are totally for Segun Oni and as a good leader and community person, I don’t want to work against the wish of my constituents “, Kupolati stated.
Fayemi’s ex-aide posited further that it would be a gross betrayal of trust, if he works against the wish of his people in the June 18 governorship poll.
Kupolati also formally declared his interest for the House of Assembly race to represent Ilejemeje constituency in the 2023 election.
