Former VC joins SDP, to vie for LG chairman

A former Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Prof. Israel Orubuloye, has joined the Social Democratic Party in Ekiti State ahead of the July 14 governorship election in the state.
But the retired don said rather than contest for governor, he would vie for a local government chairman.
Orubuloye, who is from the Irepodun/Ifelodun area of the state, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti, said he was joining the SDP because of his belief and confidence in the leadership of the party at both the national and state levels.
He noted, “It is the right time for credible Nigerians to join hand with the leadership of the SDP to rebuild Nigeria and restore her lost glory.”
“I am delighted to join hands with the leadership of the SDP, because I believe in the principles and philosophy of the party. I see the SDP as the only ideologically driven political party in Nigeria
today.
“We must all take active participation in the political process to restore the lost glory of our nation. As an academician, I paid little attention to politics in Nigeria because of the way and manner it is
organised.”
He pointed out that “in recent times, I have come to the conclusion that if we continue to show apathy to politics, we would be leaving the future of our people to charlatans and the mediocre. The only time I have voted in life was on June 12 1993, during the MKO Abiola era.
“Today, I want to commit myself to this great party which has a great history and antecedent. As a result of that, I will be seeking election into the office of the Chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government in the coming local government election.”
He said that if elected chairman, he would have the opportunity to apply his experience and knowledge to run the affairs of his local government and make it a model for people to replicate globally.
Responding, the Chairman of SDP in Irepodun/Ifelodun, Chief Folorunso Adedipe, expressed delight of the party in Ekiti State and assured Professor Orubuloye and other well-meaning Nigerians that the SDP would redress all the wrongs of the past and set a new agenda for the development of Ekiti in particular, and Nigeria in general.
Present at the event are: Mr. Yemi Akinbode, a member of the SDP National Working Committee; Engr. Bisi Aje, and Mr. Wale Alade-Oba, a member of the state’s Interim Steering Committee, among
others.