Ekiti Poll: Fayemi Accepts Defeat, Congratulates Fayose
… Jonathan, Uduaghan, Imoke, Orji, Ihedioha, Others Hails PDP's Victory
Governor Kayode Fayemi Sunday accepted the results of Saturday's governorship election where he lost to Mr. Ayodele Peter Fayose, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a broadcast to the state, the Governor who was elected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which a few months ago merged with other opposition parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC), said thus:
'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 People's 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 unsavory 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.
On our part, over 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.
To members of our party, our campaign team and indeed all Ekiti people who defied the siege on our state to cast their votes for our party, I salute your exemplary courage and doggedness in the face of harassment. Thank you for staying the course. The incidences of brazen harassment, intimidation and allied infractions on fundamental human rights, which many of you suffered in the hands of agents of the state, would be documented and communicated to the appropriate authorities, for the records.
I thank you all for listening.
May God bless the land of honour, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.'
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan Sunday congratulated Mr. Fayose on his overwhelming victory at the poll.
In a statement by Reuben Abati, his spokesman, the President who is also a member of the PDP also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (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.'
The statement further said, 'As Mr. Fayose readies himself to assume office in fulfillment of the clearly expressed wish of his people, President Jonathan urges him to be humble and magnanimous in victory and 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 calls on Mr. Fayose to regard his second chance to serve as Governor of Ekiti State as a sacred mandate from God Almighty 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 of its people who resoundingly reaffirmed their trust in his leadership by voting overwhelmingly for his election yesterday.
The President assures Mr. Fayose that the Federal Government will give all necessary support and assistance to his incoming administration and cooperate fully with him in furtherance of the present administration's objective of significantly improving the living conditions of Nigerians in all parts of the country.
He wishes Mr. Fayose continued good health and a very successful second tenure as governor of Ekiti State.'
Mr. Fayose had served as Governor of Ekiti State from May 29, 2003 to October 16, 2006. In Saturday's election, he polled 203, 090 votes, while Fayemi came second with 120, 433 votes.
Also, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has congratulated Mr. Fayose, urging him to see the outcome of the election as testament of the will of the people and acceptance of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by President Goodluck Jonathan.‎
Uduaghan in a statement by Felix Ofou, his Press Secretary in Asaba, also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for proving itself once again by conducting a free, fair and credible election devoid of violence.
He thanked and also congratulated the people of Ekiti State for their peaceful conduct during the election which saw Fayose emerging as governor-elect.
Governor Uduaghan however advised Fayose to be magnanimous in victory by forming an all-inclusive government that will address the needs and aspirations of the people.
He said: 'Your victory at the poll is a comprehensive testament of the faith the people of Ekiti have in you and the Peoples Democratic Party. It is therefore your responsibility to ensure that they reap the dividends of democracy in abundance.'
Dr. Uduaghan who was full of praises for President Jonathan for providing a level playing field for all the parties that contested the election also commended the security agencies that ensured the safety of lives and property during the conduct of the election.
Also, Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke (CON), has congratulated the Ekiti governor-elect on what he described as his landslide victory on Saturday, noting that it was democracy in action, as the outcome was a reflection of the wish of the people of Ekiti State.
In a congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, Governor Imoke said: “There is no doubt that the people of Ekiti State have spoken in unmistakable terms about the choice of who they want to lead them. Their votes for you which ensured your landslide victory on Saturday are a clarion call to offer responsible, purposeful and people-oriented leadership.”
Governor Imoke urged Fayose to use the opportunity of his second coming to “rededicate himself to forming a government that will work for the progress and advancement of the interests of all Ekiti people.”
While also commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a hitch-free and credible election, Governor Imoke enjoined Fayose to “regard your victory as a sacred mandate from God to accelerate the pace of socio-economic development in Ekiti and to bring about the much desired dividends of democracy for the people of the state.
“See your victory as a resounding reaffirmation of your people's trust in your leadership to take them to the next level. It is a victory for all as there is no victor and no vanquished. Therefore be magnanimous and humble in victory,” Imoke urged.
In the same vein, Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, hailed Fayose for his hard earned victory at poll.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, Governor Orji who expressed happiness over Fayose's landmark victory, thanked the people of Ekiti State for remaining peaceful during and after the governorship election.
Governor Orji who also thanked officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Police and other security agencies for the professional manner they discharged their duties, said the people of Ekiti State made the right choice by voting massively for the PDP candidate, Fayose.
The governor charged the people of Ekiti State to give Mr. Fayose all the needed cooperation and support to enable him realize his dream of taking the state to greater heights.
'Mr. Ayo Fayose's victory is a divine mandate. I know that the newly elected governor of Ekiti State has all it takes to bring the dividends of democracy to the people of the state. He has done it before and he will do it again,' he said.
Senator Bukola Saraki of the APC has also congratulated Mr. Fayose saying his victory is good 'for democracy and a victory for the good People of Ekiti.'
In a statement he said, 'I congratulate the Governor-Elect Mr Ayo Fayose for his doggedness and his closeness to the grassroots which spans over the years and has been attributed to his win. I equally congratulate Governor Fayemi; who took the path of honour by conceding defeat and congratulating Governor Fayose on his success.
'With this show of sportsmanship, it is my belief that other politicians will respect the wish of the electorates and do the same in future elections devoid of violence and political bickering as demonstrated by the peace loving people of Ekiti. I will also like to congratulate the electoral agency INEC as it appears the body has shown remarkable improvement, this should also serve as a reminder to every politician in other parts of the country especially Kwara that this is clear indication Nigerians now know how to differentiate a grass root politicians from seasonal politicians.
'I urge the Governor elect to see this victory as an endorsement on the expectations of Ekiti people for continued dedication to governance and a means for a focused purposeful leadership.
'It is important that around the clock people want to be engaged. This should also serve as a lesson to Mr President and other elected officials that as an incumbent it is very possible to lose in Nigeria. If you fail to do the will of the people.
'Once again, I Congratulate Governor Fayemi for the great work he has done, to me this is not a defeat to him, but a win for democracy. He has given his best to his state and as a good Nigerian despite the party difference I am certain he will continue to give his support to his people and to the country at large for a better Nigeria.'
Also, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has hailed the victory of Fayose.
The deputy speaker described the victory as a strategic bolster to the PDP not just in the Southwest geopolitical zone but in the entire country and a foretaste of what is to come in the general elections especially in states controlled by the opposition.
Noting that the election was widely observed to be free and fair with massive turn out of voters, he commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for doing a thorough job in ensuring a winner emerged through a transparent electoral process
He said Fayose's victory has confirmed that the ruling party is the only truly national political platform that is widely accepted by Nigerians from all walks of life, noting that the people of Ekiti State have by their votes decided to belong to the political mainstream.
While congratulating the people of the Ekiti, Hon. Ihedioha urged candidates of other parties who lost in the polls to put the contest behind them and join hands with the winner to move the state forward.
Also, the Ministerial nominee from Ekiti State, Prince Dayo Adeyeye has congratulated the State Governor-Elect on his landslide victory
Adeyeye also hailed the State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi for conceding victory and congratulating Fayose, saying; “By conceding defeat to us, Fayemi has shown the Ekiti man in him.”