Former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, on Monday said he was in the state governorship race to work with all stakeholders and cater for the forgotten.

Oni stated this while speaking at the PDP National Secretariat during the submission of his nomination and expression of interest forms for the Ekiti State Governorship election, scheduled for June 18, 2022.

Oni described the state governorship as a “known terrain” in which his former administration removed by the court made it mark and treated all and sundry with dignity, respect and honour.

“We brought value to governance and honour to leadership.

“Notwithstanding the distractions and cogs mounted to halt the wheel of our journey at the time, we made outstanding gains.

“Under our watch, Ekiti was a cynosure of good governance and efficient government,” Oni said.

He said that his administration also worked very hard to propel Ekiti to live up to its motto as the Fountain of Knowledge in Nigeria.

“We brought our state to national reckoning. Unfortunately, this may not be the case today, to the civil servants, farmers, traders, women, youths and people living with disabilities.

“Our administration remains the best experience they have had in terms of a people-driven government, incorruptible leadership and open government. The good people of Ekiti State are still earnestly yearning for our return,” he said.

Oni assured the people of Ekiti State and PDP that he is in the race to bring “my promise” to Ekiti people to fruition.

“The promise of a state where no one is left behind and in which we will seek the forgotten and cater to their needs, is our covenant with the people.

“Our mantra has been fellowship building among party members since we started this journey.

“We introduced the PDP Family Initiative to bring all sides together under one big and purposeful umbrella.

“We want to assure our party that we will always work with all stakeholders and members. We have done so before and we will do it again and even better. It is a testament of who we are.

“Today, we make bold to say that ‘we are back and even better!’ The people are with us, so we are on course and ready!”

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the submission of his forms, Oni said his is in the race in response to the “sentiment people have been expressing” about the service rendered by his then administration.

Oni, a former PDP national vice chairman, said that the people of his state believe that he has more to render to them.

The PDP National Organising Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), who received the forms from Oni, said that the current PDP leadership believes in the spirit of fairness and allowing the people to choose their leaders.