The Minister of Police Affairs, retired Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, on Friday formally declared interest to contest the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.
Olubolade, a one-time military governor of Bayelsa, told newsmen at his Ipoti-Ekiti home that he was the best candidate available for the position.
He said his primary mission as Ekiti governor was to bring about the desired “radical change” that would make the state at par with others.
He said: “I am today the most valuable member of our great party, PDP, in Ekiti, having being a governor, Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, the Minister of Special Duties and now, Police Affairs.
“I stand to be corrected that none of the array of aspirants that we have has my kind of pedigree.
“ I am the most experienced, I am the most exposed to the rudiments of governance at all levels.’’
He said that he had consulted “widely” and enjoyed the support of all those that mattered.
On when he would formally resign his current appointment, the aspirant said he would act according to the dictates of the constitution at the appropriate time.
He added that his major task would be to put a stop to borrowing if elected as governor.
“Mine is to bring my wide range of experience to bear by teaching the people how to be hard working.
“I will in the process, put a final full stop to reckless spending and meaningless borrowing.
“This is the change I want to make,’’ he said.
The number of aspirants eyeing the governorship seat of Ekiti has risen to 38 with the entrance of Olubolade.