The Minister of Mines and Steel, Kayode Fayemi, has officially notified the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and governors elected on the platform of the party of his intention to contest the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti.

Mr Fayemi, who is the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, gave the notification on Thursday after a tour of local governments in the state.

A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, on Thursday said the minister would formally make his declaration on Saturday.

According to the statement, Mr Fayemi’s letter conveying his intention to run was addressed to the National Chairman of APC, John Oyegun; national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu; former Interim National Chairman of the party, Bisi Akande; all traditional rulers in Ekiti State; his colleagues in the Federal Executive Council (FEC); former and serving governors elected on APC platform, as well as prominent sons and daughters of Ekiti.

The minister had on April 2 hinted of his plan to run for the party’s ticket during the quarterly meeting of the Ekiti APC leaders at his Isan Ekiti country home.

Mr Oyebode said the minister held meetings with local government and ward executives as well as elders of the party during the tour of the 16 local government areas.

The tour had kicked off on Monday in Efon Local Government, and ended in Oye Local Government on Thursday.