From Jimoh Joseph, Ado-Ekiti
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) haved been urged by Ekiti State Governor to look for young, dynamic candidates for the forthcoming presidential election.
The Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who thinks he is one of such dynamic persons that should be given the opportunity also disclosed plans to become a cleric after his political journey.
He spoke as Communications Minister and known interested party in the Oyo Government House seat, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, stated that himself and other Buhari supporters are prevailing on President Muhammadu Buhari to contest the 2019 election.
Shittu’s words to journalists in Abuja after a meeting with Buhari: “It goes without saying. I mean if you have a child who goes to primary school and he does well; he proceeds to secondary school and he does well, and you keep asking if he will be going to university.
“By the grace of God, we his (Buhari’s) ardent supporters who appreciate his worth on behalf of millions of Nigerians would urge him to re-contest.
“I know he has not made up his mind but I can say that some of us can assist him in making up his mind so that Nigeria can continue to enjoy stability and progress in our land.”
“I informed Mr. President that I have appointed a National Chairman of the board of trustees of Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo dynamic support group and on the 20th of this month we are commissioning the South-west zonal office of the campaign organization of Buhari/Osinbajo.
Fayose says that after his foray in politics, he could end up being a Christian cleric who would be a fisher of men for the Lord.
The governor, who stated this at a private event in Lagos during the week, said he had the premonition of becoming a great evangelist with a big ministry.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, he quoted the governor as saying, ” I am Peter the rock who presently is a fisher of men for politics, but who God has destined to end up as a fisher of men for God.”
However, Fayose, who is also the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, was silent on whether he would go back to the denomination his late father, Pastor Olufemi Oluwayose, played a prominent role.
His father was a cleric in the Christ Apostolic Church, while he attends the Deeper Life Bible Church.
On his criticisms of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, Fayose said everything was being done in good faith.
He, however, added that he was available if the All Progressives Congress administration decided to go after him for criticising their obnoxious policies, saying he refused to be cowed.
“My criticism of President Buhari is not out of hatred, but to lead to making the necessary corrections. When a driver is driving dangerously and you are sitting in the vehicle, you have to call him to order, otherwise, both of you will perish. Buhari has no solution to the problems of this country. He should go back to Daura to look after his cows.
“President Buhari should allow the country to move forward. Age is not on his side and is also not a plus for him. Anybody calling on him to contest again is his enemy and not doing him any good. Moreover, such a call is a great disservice to our country.
” We need a young and dynamic man as the president of this country. Both the PDP and the APC should look for young persons as their presidential candidates for the 2019 elections. I want to be the president of this country because I have all it takes to lead this country,” he stated.
On Buhari’s New Year message, the governor said it was not only empty, “it is very disappointing and was a mere repetition of what he had said in the past.”
On this year’s governorship election in Ekiti State, Fayose expressed the confidence that his party, the PDP, would win convincingly.