Smooth Transition:Fayemi Recieves Fayose In Govt House..Says I Won't Challenge Your Victory

THE outgoing governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Monday, said he would not challenge the results of the June 21 governorship election in the state.

Fayemi, who made the disclosure when he received the governor-elect, Mr Ayo Fayose, in his office in Ado Ekiti, said, “I will not challenge the results of the election, because I am not desperate to remain in office.

“Election must not be seen as a do-or-die affair.”

He said Fayose’s victory had assisted in “strengthening and deepening” democracy, especially in Ekiti State and the country at large.

He added that “election, by its nature, generates tension and hot exchange of words, but to me, once the whole exercise is over, all those involved should take such with calmness and stop all acrimonies.

“It is my belief that we must all start imbibing attitudes that will make us avoid activities that can threaten our peaceful co-existence. We must also avoid the bad loser syndrome.”

Fayemi promised not to be distracted by the defeat, saying he would continue to work for the people of the state until October 15, when his tenure would end.

Fayemi had agreed with the governor-elect to set up a committee to draw a plan for the smooth transition of power on October 16.

Governor Fayemi expressed surprise over the shock expressed by people at his almost immediate concession of defeat in the election.

“People have said my gesture is strange, it is un-African; well I am a democrat and the will of the people is the basis of democracy.

“If it is the will of the people, we do not have a choice but to respect their will, and to do everything to ensure that we deepen this democracy not just for Ekiti, but also for Nigeria.”

According to him, respect for the will of the people was “one of the ways Ekiti State can progress faster, considering its disadvantaged position,” adding that “for me, leadership is about service. It is about sacrifice. It is not about personal aggrandisement or personal benefit, but the duty that we owe our people is to ensure that Ekiti continues to progress.”

Earlier, Fayose, who paid what he described as “reconciliation visit” to Governor Fayemi in his office, had commended the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by Fayemi, describing his acceptance of defeat without question as “quite un-African.”

Fayose called on Nigerian politicians to emulate the good virtues of Fayemi.

The duo later went into a closed-door meeting.

He described Governor Fayemi as “an unusual Nigerian leader” who puts the interest of his state ahead of personal gains, noting that “he conceded defeat in the election in the overall interest of Ekiti State.”

According to Fayose, Fayemi had demonstrated commitment to the peace and development of the state since 2010 and gave the assurance that he would complement all achievements made by Governor Fayemi when he hands over on October 16.

“I got a call from the governor, our leader, Dr Fayemi and he told me expressly of his readiness to ensure that the state moves forward by accepting the results of the June 21 governorship election, which I consider he is the only statesman that can do that without being immodest.

“I want to equally understand the fact that as a leader and governor of a state, when such gestures are made, it behoves on people like me as a leader on the other side to meet with him and acknowledge the fact that he conceded in the overall interest of Ekiti. It is unusual; it is not Nigerian or African-like for leaders to concede readily,” Fayose said.

He expressed the hope that the meeting would enhance the peace in the state “and I want to add that our supporters must help us to help this state.”

He said “this is a time for reconciliation and love, to learn from the past and ensure that we have a wonderful future ahead of us. This leadership calls for us to live according to the rules of the game and ensure that tomorrow, we will be made accountable.”

Among those at the meeting were the deputy governor, Professor Modupe Adelabu; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Ganiyu Owolabi; Head of Service, Mr Bunmi Famosaya; minister-nominee, Dayo Adeyeye and the state chairman of PDP, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe.

Others were Chief Abiodun Olujimi, Senator Clement Awoyelu, Chief Bola Olu-Ojo, Mr Owoseni Ajayi, among others.