Ekiti Guber Election:Its No Victor,No Vanquished....Ayo Fayose

Ekiti State Governor-elect Ayodele Fayose was waving the olive branch yesterday, saying his triumph is victory for democracy.

There is no victor, no vanquished, he said.

Fayose won last Saturday’s election, beating incumbent Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who congratulated the winner — in a rare show of sportmanship, which earned him praises.

Fayose promised to build a flyover each at Fajuyi and Mathew in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, adding: “I will embark on ‘operation tar all untarred roads in Ado-Ekiti’ in two years of my administration.”

The governor-elect described governance as a continuum, saying refusal to complete ongoing projects would be a loss to the people who, according to him, are the purpose of governance.

Fayose promised to run an all-inclusive government that will have the welfare of the people as its focus.

He warned his admirers not to organise any reception in his honour, saying: “When I was out of office for eight years, no one did any reception for me.”

Fayose, who spoke with reporters yesterday at Spotless Hotel in the state capital, urged the police and other security agencies to release unconditionally all those arrested and detained during the electioneering campaigns.

He attributed his victory to God and the people, noting: “I owe  my victory to God and the common man in Ekiti. It will be impossible for me to come back eight years after I left the government without their support”.

He praised the governor for his show of sportsmanship and promised to work with him (Fayemi) and Bamidele.

“Fayemi has done his best. The only constant thing is change. The office of the governor is an exalted office. For me, Fayemi remains my governor until October 16. He is a respectable Nigerian and a respectable leader. It is in Nigeria that we rubbish our leaders.”

He said the people had remained with him despite his ouster in 2006 by the Assembly, promising to maintain the attitude which had ensured he remained accepted to the people.

“My people will never ask me for money. All they ask from me is how to improve their wellbeing. I am a grassroots man. I identify with them. I owe them so dearly and I will continue in this trend.”

He went on: “This is still Ekiti, the homogenous state that speaks only one language. Four years is very short in the life of any government. Fayemi has called me to congratulate me. I will see him tomorrow and let the public know that we are one. Ekiti belongs to us all. A governor only gets a term and Ekiti will remain. Fayemi lost election today because the only thing that is constant in life is change.”

Noting that it was impossible to pursue industrialising Ekiti without assuring better electricity supply, the governor-elect explained that his administration would repair and upgrade every infrastructure to ensure better power supply across the state, noting that the move to industrialise the state should necessarily start with marked improvement in electricity.

Fayose said: “I told you during my campaign that this is Ayo Fayose that is older and wiser and who is ready to work with everybody. Fayemi is my brother and he will forever remain so. He has contributed his own quota to the development of this state.

“I also want to state that whoever suffered any loss during the electioneering campaign will be compensated by the government when I assume office. I hereby urge all my supporters to stop singing songs of defeat and derision. We have seen only the victory of democracy. This election is not about Fayemi or about Fayose. It is about the people. Politics destroys a country. Love binds all”, he said.

The governor-elect denied that the state is poor, Fayose said: “I was governor for three and a half years. I paid all outstanding arrears. If I could save N10.4 billion between 2003 and 2006 during my first term. I paid workers on 21st of every month and will return to that now. N10.4 billion in the coffers of the state when I left office. That amount can pass for N30 billion today.”

He said: “Four years is a very short time in the life of an administration. There will be no winner, no loser. I commend the spirit of Governor Fayemi. He has called me earlier and I will see him tomorrow to enable the world see we are one. I salute his courage and thank him for accepting me for his readiness to allow peace and love to pervade the state.

“For me, I am a grassroots man. Because of the way I operate with the people, they call me grassroots man. I will continue with that trend. I am prepared for the job; my past speaks for me. You dont need to be a professor to know a road is bad or that somebody will need to go to school or eat. My performance this time will earn me necessary leadership status in Nigeria. If you do good to people, they will love you.

“I will reduce school fees and allow parents pay fees instalmentally. If you know me, I don’t impose my will. These people know me very well. If you want to pay instalmentally, I will allow it. They know me and that is why they have voted for me. They know I will come to the university and ensure all I promise is done.

“However, the fact is even if it is  N5000 they may not be able to pay. We will enhance the capacity of parents to pay for their wards by domiciling the economy of the state. The last two administrations gave some of these projects to outsiders. How will you give a contract for chairs to contractors outside if and when you can get competent hands here.”

“It is not about the fee but about empowering the parents. Don’t let us deceive ourselves. In a state where you don’t have electricity, how can industries grow. Hotels run 24 hours on generators. Not until you have improved electricity, you cannot industrialise anywhere. I want to empower these people and make them strong. Governors after me can build upon that. At least 40 per cent of all contracts will be awarded to local contractors,” Fayose said.