One of the messages, which are coming in torrents is from the state governor, Kayode Fayemi, who was one of the earliest Nigerians to congratulate Fayose.
Governor Fayemi, in a broadcast yesterday said he had no option than to accept the result of the election and congratulate Fayose.The governor, who said he just spoke with Fayose congratulating him on his victory, said he would be meeting the governor-elect in the next few hours (Saturday) to fashion out ways to institute a smooth transition programme.Fayemi described the election as a hard-fought one, adding however, that despite party affiliations, Ekiti people should see themselves as one.Fayemi noted that the record of performance of his administration would continue to be a reference point in the history of the state, stressing that he has succeeded in raising the bar of excellence in governance.
He said: “Yesterday, Ekiti State decided. Following the gubernatorial elections held in the land of honour, Ekiti State, Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially returned the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election.“If indeed this is the will of the Ekiti People, I stand in deference to your will. If the result of the elections is an expression of the voice of our people, we must all heed your voice.“I have just spoken with my brother, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, congratulating him on his victory. In a few hours from now, I would be meeting the governor-elect to discuss the future of our dear state and how we would work together to institute a smooth transition programme.
“It has been a hard-fought election. As expected in the course of the campaigns, there were unsavoury episodes as the candidates toured the nooks and crannies of the state to sell ourselves to the people. Elections tend to be highly divisive affairs that often see brother rising against brother.
“Despite our diverse party affiliations and regardless of which way we voted on Saturday, we must remember that we are all sons and daughters of Ekiti State. Ekiti is ours to build together.”
He added: “On our part, during the course of the campaigns, we presented our scorecards before the people of Ekiti State. We never at any point took your support for granted. We campaigned, we canvassed and we traversed the nooks and crannies of this state.
“Our performance and achievements in office will remain the backdrop against which the next government and indeed future governments will be assessed. We are proud that with the support of Ekiti people, we have raised the bar of excellence in governance. In all, we gave our best, for conscience and for posterity.
“Indeed, a new sociology of the Ekiti people may have evolved. However, the task of understanding how the outcome of this election has defined us as a people will be that of scholars. For us as an administration and a cadre of political leaders in Ekiti State, we have fought a good fight, we have kept faith.”
President Goodluck Jonathan also congratulated the new governor-elect on his overwhelming victory in the election, urging him to be magnanimous in victory.
He charged Fayose to bear in mind that his victory was the expression of the people, hence, he should commit himself to forming an administration that will work for the advancement of the interests of all Ekiti people irrespective of their political affiliations or loyalties.
President Jonathan urged him to regard his second chance to serve as a sacred mandate from God and his people, which he must discharge with immense dedication, wisdom and vigour to achieve a much more rapid pace of socio-economic development in Ekiti State for the benefit all.
The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, also commended INEC, the Security Services and the good people of Ekiti State for the successful and peaceful conduct of the elections in keeping with the present administration’s avowed commitment to ensuring that elections in all parts of Nigeria are progressively freer, fairer and more credible.
Former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has congratulated, Ekiti State governor-elect, Fayose, saying that the outcome of Saturday’s governorship poll has proved that democracy is working in the country.
In a goodwill message signed by his Special Adviser, Prince ‘Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said, “the turnout and peaceful conduct of Ekiti people at the poll is commendable. The congratulatory message of Governor Fayemi to Mr. Fayose shows that the election was credible and generally acceptable. The election is a testimony that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.”
Kalu acknowledged the political maturity and display of sportsmanship by the duo of Fayemi and Bamidele Opeyemi after the declaration of Fayose as the winner of the election.
The former governor maintained that the victory was a victory for all, irrespective of political divides.
He urged the governor-elect to run an all inclusive administration, calling on all stakeholders to remain committed to good governance for the collective interest of Ekiti State.
Kalu also commended INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega and his team for the efforts that ensured that a credible election was conducted in the state.
In its message, the PDP congratulated Fayose, describing his victory as well deserved.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, in a statement described the Ekiti governorship poll as credible, free and fair, adding that “it was an unequivocal statement on the preference of the PDP by the entire people of Ekiti, nay Nigeria.
Senate President, David Mark joined millions of Nigerians to congratulate Fayose over his victory.
Senator Mark also commended security operatives and the INEC for the smooth conduct of the election.
In the message, Senator Mark told Fayose to “justify the mandate of the people by embarking on projects and programmes that would have direct positive impacts on the citizens of Ekiti State.
“To do so successfully, he urged the governor elect to “bring all interest groups on board and ensure that no section of the state would feel short-changed or marginalised in the scheme of things.
“Your victory at the poll shows that the people of Ekiti State clearly endorsed your candidature. It is, therefore, your responsibility to reciprocate this mandate by serving them honestly and effectively.
Specifically, the Senate President enjoined Fayose to put necessary measures in place to ensure that the state remained united even as he counseled his opponents in the election to accept the results of the polls in good faith and congratulate him as good sportsmen.
In his message, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal described the victory as a clear proof that the nation’s politics was imbibing global practices associated with electioneering process.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu described the victory as an important win for the PDP in the South West.
He, however, stressed that the free and fair electoral processes that threw up the winner were vital for the growth of democracy in the country.
“I send hearty congratulations to Fayose and our party men and women who worked hard for this important victory. I equally commend all the candidates, the good people of Ekiti State, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the civil societies, security agencies and other democratic structures and institutions who ensured that the election was peaceful, free, fair and credible.”
Senator Ekweremadu also extolled incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi, for his efforts at developing Ekiti State for the almost four years he has held sway, but called on “him, the rest of the candidates and good people of the highly erudite state to join hands with the winner to move the state forward.”
But contrary to popular view, former minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has blamed the loss of Ekiti governorship election by the incumbent governor on political corruption.
He said the ‘overnight thumb- printing of ballot papers’, coupled with the imposition of curfew and deliberate use of heavily armed security personnel robbed the people of the state free movement and subsequently created a system that undermined the transparency and fairness of the exercise.
El-Rufai stated this on Sunday, during a national discourse organised by The Companion, Association of Muslim Men in Business and the professions, held at the Main Auditorium of the
University
of Lagos.
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