Why I stepped down from Ekiti governorship race –Ojudu

One of the frontline governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Senator Babafemi Ojudu has said that his decision to step down from the race was informed by recent developments which has made the race very volatile and that he was not ready to see any person in the state loss his or her life on account of his ambition.

Ojudu in his open letter to the people of the state noted that, “We do not believe in engaging in an unfair contest and I am not ready to step on blood to get to power.

As I have reiterated at different times in the course of the campaign, this was never about me. It was not about an ambition but a mission to give a new lease of life to Ekiti State and the people.”

While arguing that his decision to run for the office of the governor was informed by his desire to give the people of the state a better lease of life, Ojudu said, “It was about safeguarding the future of our children, our grandchildren, great grandchildren and even generations yet unborn.

There is no doubt that we all love this land, that every one of you had best hopes and aspiration for this beautiful state we call ours and that above all, this state should wear a new look, be adorned with a new reputation and have a new image of itself.

“One other important lesson I learnt in the last one week is that one can only truly appreciate the true intent of one’s co-travellers on a journey when the chips are down. At this point, I would like to appreciate the co-aspirants who were open to discussions aimed at resolving the imbroglio.”

He commended some other co-aspirants for their conduct throughout the race, noting that they have further enriched and elevated his knowledge of them, “I must not fail to mention in particular my dear brother, Congressman Bimbo Daramola who worked assiduously with me in the attempt to find a solution albeit unsuccessfully, to what appeared as a stalemate – pushing for the Option A4 method of primary election, which the NWC Chairman opposed vehemently.”

According to him, “All my life, I have fought injustice and sought the good of the whole. Therefore, this injustice perpetrated against Ekiti people by the NWC Chairman cannot be allowed to stand.

This is why the fight will continue, not as an aspirant but as a party reformer. As a leader and party chieftain, I will inspire a new generation of leaders – of young professionals, businessmen and technocrats to re-enter our politics and change this state.

“Only then can we have men and women of honour who will take Ekiti out of the wilderness and restore her to her pride of place. At the national level, I will continue to support Mr. President in ensuring party reforms.

I will work hard to ensure that never again is our party thrown to desperate men who feed on monetary inducements and undermine their own party.

“This movement continues, but I would be stepping down immediately as a governorship aspirant to focus on this new mission,” he said.