Ekiti Governorship Poll: PDP, Omisore Congratulate Fayose Over Victory

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, June 22, (THEWILL) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated the newly elected Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Peter Fayose, describing his victory at the Saturday's election as well deserved.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh in a statement on Sunday 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 state, nay Nigeria, 'a victory indeed for democracy.'

'We are particularly elated that the will of the people of Ekiti state prevailed and we sincerely congratulate them for realising their yearning for a truly democratically elected administration in their dear state.

'The outcome of this election confirms the popularity and acceptability of the PDP and its candidate, the governor-elect of Ekiti State. It brings to the front burner, the genuineness of the crowd that throng our rallies across the country, especially in Ekiti state,' the party said.

The PDP also attributed the victory to its 'strict adherence to the principles of internal democracy, the kernel of transparency in the conduct of our governorship primary which produced a popular candidate, the overwhelming choice of party members.'

It said the victory was also a clear conformation of its position that the APC is not really on the ground and has no genuine followership even in states that are under its control.

Thanking the people of Ekiti state for their support, the PDP urged the governor- elect to ensure an all-inclusive administration that will revamp and reposition the state in line with the manifesto and ideology of the PDP and move it from the APC's valleys of poverty, stagnation and ruin.

The PDP charged the APC to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting a clear defeat and congratulating the PDP and the governor-elect, insisting that the handwriting has since been on the wall as evidenced in the massive support Mr. Fayose has been receiving since emerging as PDP candidate.

'We demand of the APC, the sportsmanship required of democrats in an electoral contest by congratulating the victorious candidate just as we did in Edo state where it won and in Ondo and Anambra States where Labour and APGA won respectively instead of taking to incitement and other bad loser syndrome', the statement said.

The party further congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan on his principled stand on the legacy of credible elections. 'We wish to state very emphatically that the commitment of the President remains the greatest motivation to the new story of credible polls in Nigeria – a promise he made to the nation in 2010, he has faithfully delivered. He has effectively put behind us, the story of Nigeria as an electoral pariah in the international community. We are so proud', it stated.

The party finally commended the Independent National Electoral Commission and the security agencies for their contributions to the successful conduct of the election.

Also, the PDP's governorship candidate in the forthcoming Osun State Governorship election, Senator Iyiola Omisore has hailed Fayose on his superlative victory at Saturday's poll.

'The wind of change blows, gently but surely! The people of Ekiti State have spoken loudly with their votes. They have refused to the bullied by threats of violence. They have firmly and boldly rejected governance by lies, deceit and tyranny. The landslide electoral victory of Dr. Ayodele Fayose is a sign of an unyielding political tsunami that is set to reverse the judicial political control of the South West by the All Progressive Congress,' Omisore said in a statement emailed to THEWILL Saturday night.

'The outright rejection of APC in Ekiti state is a confirmation of impending eclipse of the party in Osun state, South West and Nigeria in general. I felicitate with the people of Ekiti state and celebrate the peaceful expression of democracy through free and fair elections with them.

'I am proud to associate with Dr. Fayose, a thorough bred democrat of great courage and commitment to the people of Ekiti state. I salute the depth of political skills with which he has led a social movement that has rescued Ekiti people from the shackle of economic slavery, autocratic governance and deceit based leadership. The people of Ekiti have shown that they are not just politically savvy but that they are educated, enlightened and schooled. Under the leadership of Dr. Fayose, they have collectively refused to be treated as a political colony of a cabal of crooks and blackmailers, led by one man from Lagos,' the statement added.

Omisore further said, 'This is a beginning. First of the mass movement among the peace loving Nigerians in South West Nigeria to liberate themselves from political marauders who plunder our commonwealth with impunity, arrogance and greed. I congratulate Dr. Ayo Fayose, the Governor Elect of Ekiti state for the honour done him by proud voters of Ekiti state and the confidence they have expressed that he will assure them development that is responsive and will lead them to economic and social freedom. I have no doubt that the Governor elect as a man of the people will deploy his energy and experience to make Ekiti truly great again.

'Collectively, we now must charge forward and issue a democratic eviction notice to the impostor in Osun Government House, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. He must begin to prepare for his exit. Citizens of Osun state are not entertained by the gross negligence of their welfare, the failure to pay salaries and wages, the depth of financial insecurity his reckless administration has plunged us into. Our people are prepared to reject his abusive empowerment programs that have truncated the aspirations of young people.

'Together with the people of Osun state, we shall peacefully and democratically evict Rauf Aregbesola by casting our votes for the PDP on the 9th of August 2014. Under the banner of PDP, Rt. Hon. Adejare Bello and I are poised for action, committed totally to the Rescue Mission, its principles, strategies and its cardinal programmes. We shall assure citizens of Osun state a sustainable future where everyone will live, thrive and excel.

'Dr. Ayo Fayose's electoral victory today, 21st June 2014 is historic, as being peaceful and fair. I commend security agencies for their vigilance, patriotism and diligence which have assured an atmosphere for a free and fair election in Ekiti state. It is on record that security operatives thwarted so many breaches of the electoral process including arrest of many APC chieftains with dangerous weapons, fake ballot papers and large amount of cash with which they sought to coerce the electorate. I call that our security personnel and related forces should sustain this commendable levels of patriotism not only during elections but as we jointly nurture and protect our democracy.

'Our nation holds another election on August 9, I urge members and supporters of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, as well as the people of Osun state to emulate the people of Ekiti by voting against the APC government which has imposed untold hardship on the generality of our people.

'I congratulate all Dr. Peter Ayo Fayose, leaders, members and supporters of the PDP in Ekiti State, other candidates in the Ekiti state elections who have also fought gallantly and hopefully will accept defeat with dignity.'