By Aliyu DANLADI
A former governor of Ekiti, Chief Segun Oni, has congratulated the governor-elect of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, over his victory in Saturday’s governorship election.
Oni, who was the immediate past National Deputy Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), contested the party’s primary with Fayemi on May 12 and polled 481 votes to emerge second.
The former governor, in a statement issued on Monday by the Director General of his campaign organisation, Dr Ife Arowosoge, said Fayemi’s victory in the governorship election was “ resounding.’’
“On behalf of Chief Segun Oni and the entire members of Atunse Ekiti Movement, we heartily and wholeheartedly congratulate our Governor-elect, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, on his well-deserved victory.
“We equally congratulate the Deputy Governor-elect, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, on the resounding success at the polls.
“The victory is a clear affirmation of our people’s preference for the progressive ideals that our party stands for and their desire for better governance architecture in the state.
“It is a welcome restoration of hope and departure from grandstanding and penchant for the dramatic, rather than for the enduring.
“It shows clearly where our people stand and brings to a decisive close the questionable outcome of the election of four years ago,” Oni said.
Oni thanked the state executive and the entire members of the party for working hard to achieve victory for the party and its candidate.
“We rejoice with the leader of our party, President Muhamadu Buhari, under whose watch Nigeria is witnessing a great boost in genuine democratic practice and process.
“We salute the leadership and doggedness of our elders in the South West, particularly Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande, the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole and our own leader, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, the Deputy National Chairman, South, who have started their tenure on a winning note.
“We are grateful to the good people of Ekiti for their support. This victory calls for celebration, not only for the refreshed hope it represents for the state, but also for the good it portends for our country.
“We are confident that Ekiti State will witness better days ahead under Dr John Kayode Fayemi and this victory will be replicated in Osun State and in the 2019 presidential elections,’’ he added.
The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday declared the former Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals Development as winner of the election after securing 197,459 votes.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and current Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, scored 178,121 votes.
Other results declared by the Chief Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, include Accord, 250; Action Alliance, 41; ACD, 1149; AD, 216; ADB, 1082; ADA, 107; AGAO, 31; ANRP, 125; APA, 1199; and APDA, 464.
Also declared were APGA, 70; ANPP, 14; DA, 14; DPC, 147; DPP,181; FJP, 42; GPN, 20; I.D, 31;, KOWA, 23; LP, 280; MMN, 35; MPN, 23; NDLP, 44; NPC, 353 PANDEL, 74; and PGC, 1242.
The rest are DPA, 632; PPN, 107; SDO, 367; UDP, 29; UPN, 33; YDP, 31 and YPP, 49.
The total valid votes in the election was 384,594 while total votes cast was 403,451, with 18,857 votes invalidated.
TBI Africa reports that the election held in 2,195 polling units spread across 177 wards in the 16 local government areas of Ekiti while 35 candidates contested.
