By Matthew Don
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will lose again in the 2018 governorship election in the state.
He made the declaration on Wednesday, June 21 as thousands of his supporters trouped out to celebrate with him on the three years of his electoral victory.
While declaring open the situation office for the 2018 election, Fayose charged the people to shame those who claimed that the June 21, 2014 was as a result of photochromic and later militarisation by ensuring that they give them another resounding defeat in 2018 and 2019.
His words: “Today, I am here to appreciate all of you and remind you that they said that the 16-0 of 2014 was photochromic and later militarised election. This time, they are the owners of INEC, Army, Police, Civil Defence, DSS and others. We should make it expressly clear that, despite these machineries in their hands, we can defeat them like we did in 2014, if not more.”
Assuring them that he would leave no stone unturned to make Ekiti a better place for all, Fayose said “also, by the grace of God, I will not leave this state a debtor of salary.”
He urged Nigerians as well as the international community to pay greater attention to Ekiti State with regard to activities before, during and after the 2018 governorship election, saying; “The 2018 election in Ekiti is one election that everyone should be interested in. The whole world should monitor events before, during and after the election and let whoever that will win the election win in a free and fair atmosphere. Currently, I am in court to seek redress for the coup-de-tat of 2006 by the declaration of State of Emergency by the civilian junta of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. It is my belief that the court that granted me the relief that the impeachment was a nullity will equally restore justice by establishing the fact that I deserve another tenure. Nevertheless, whether the continuity is by Ayo Fayose or any member of his political family, it is still continuity, which I have asked you to support.”
Fayose used the opportunity to berate APC, saying: “Those who trade in lies and propaganda daily are in control of the Federal Government and as at today, is there anything that they have done for us here in Ekiti? The answer is No!
“We have a representative in the Federal Executive Council and we have someone who is working with the Acting President. But they are self-seekers who do not believe in the Ekiti project. They were the people, who during their four years reign here plunged our state into debt and destroyed the economy of the state. They made our state to be indebted till year 2036 by their maladministration.
“Two years in office, they cannot point to a single benefit derived from their government by Ekiti State. We are, therefore, saying never again to these looters, financial devourers and enemies of our state who only believe in themselves and not in the progress of our state.”
Fayose said Nigerians should note that since he took over the mantle of leadership of Ekiti State, no politically-motivated attack or violence had been witnessed and no life had been lost to political violence in Ekiti State.
According to him, “I wish to state that as we approach the 2018 election, this continuity that we seek will not be at the expense of the blood of any Ekiti person. If I have my way, I will call for an election today for Nigerians and the international community to see that anytime, any day, APC will be roundly defeated here.”
The governor recalled: “Today marks the third year anniversary of my election. You will recall that I was impeached by what can be likened to a civilian coup-de-tat on October 16, 2006. But on this day, June 21, 2014, you overwhelmingly re-elected me as your governor.
“Despite the fact the incumbent governor then, Dr Kayode Fayemi, accepted defeat and congratulated me for winning the election, he later reneged, having been prevailed upon and deceived by a few who obviously could not comprehend their loss of power in the state.
“However, the sacred mandate of the people of Ekiti could not be snatched in spite of the strategy of the wicked who attempted what has never been done in the political history of Nigeria by trying to prevent me from being sworn-in.
“To the glory of God, I was sworn-in and again, in their dubious manner, they attempted to take the mandate through the backdoor by plotting my impeachment even when I had not spent one month in office. I thank Ekiti people for resisting another civilian coup in the state, even at the risk of their lives.
“Today, despite the way and manner they wrecked the economy of the state; we have been able to chart a new path for the development of our state. This can be seen in the physical developments witnessed in the state since we assumed office.
“Ekiti people can all see the flyover bridge ongoing in Ado-Ekiti, the dualised Awedele-Basiri road, Onala-Opopogbooro-Afao road, the dualised roads in most of the Local Government areas, the ongoing Oja Oba Market in Ado Ekiti, the ongoing Adebayo-Ori Apata-Nova road, the Ado-Ikere road, most federal roads that have been rehabilitated especially the Ita Awure-Erio-Aramoko-Igede-Iyin-
“We want to assure you that we will leave no stone unturned to make Ekiti a better place for all. Also, by the grace of God, I will not leave this state a debtor of salary.
“They thought by now that this government would have failed. But by your support, we have gotten this far, by His grace. I want to appeal to all of you to take a cue from what is happening in a number of states where they have made succession possible, which has translated to meaningful developments. If you recall, I told you that I will come back, despite the circumstances of my removal then. With your support, I returned to office, making me the first Ekiti person to win election as governor and defeat incumbents twice.
“Like I said to you, if we all stay together, in another four years after my tenure; we will make Ekiti better than it is now.”
Fayose however called for restructuring of Nigeria. “No peace without justice and the agitation across the country will continue unless there is justice, equity and fairness,” he said.