APC, Tinubu, Ambode congratulate Fayemi

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The All Progressives Congress (APC), on Sunday, assured the people of Ekiti State and Nigerians that it is best placed to move the country forward and resolve all seemingly intractable problems.
The party gave the assurance in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abudullahi, in Abuja, while congratulating Dr Kayode Fayemi, its candidate in the just-concluded governorship election in Ekiti.
Fayemi won the election after securing 197,459 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Prof. Kolapo Olusola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 178, 121 votes.
Result of the poll, which held on Saturday, was announced by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday.
“We assure the people of Ekiti, and indeed Nigerians, that our party is best placed to move the country forward and resolve the seemingly intractable problems that have held us back,” the statement said.
It commended INEC and security agencies for allowing the people’s will to prevail at the election which was contested by no fewer than 30 political parties.
The party thanked the Ekiti electorate for voting en masse for its candidate, saying that their action demonstrated their trust and confidence in Fayemi’s ability to deliver on his campaign promises.
It said that their action also demonstrated the rejection of the crude and pedestrian politics of the PDP.
It lauded local and international observers as well as other stakeholders for their role during the election.
The statement noted that Fayemi ran an effective and positive campaign focused on his agenda of rebuilding the state’s economy and returning its lost values of integrity, prudence and decency.
Fayemi is former governor of the state and immediate past Minister of Steel and Solid Minerals Development.
He was governor from 2010 to 2014.
His re-election bid was truncated by a defeat by PDP’s Ayodele Fayose, the incumbent governor, who would hand over to him on October 16, same day power exchanged hands between them four years ago.
Also, former Lagos State governor and All Progressives Congress national stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has congratulated Fayemi, over his victory at the poll, saying the people of Ekiti State have voted to put their futures in his hand.
He urged him to avoid recriminations and run an all-inclusive government.
In a statement entititled “Ekiti Election: A Victory for the People” personally signed by him,  Tinubu said the people of the state had voted to take a path different from the one on which they had been.
He said: “In Ekiti, a chapter has closed and a new one has begun.  This was not done by contrivance or artifice, nor was it the product of intimidation or improper influence. This came about because it was the will of the people of Ekiti as expressed and manifested in the conduct of a free and fair election in that state. In voting as they did, the people voted for the state to take a path different from the one on which they had been.
“In voting as they did, the people thus voted for themselves. Here, we must congratulate Dr. Kayode Fayemi and our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the successful campaign that was run and for the confidence the people of Ekiti have shown in transferring the mandate to govern them into our hands.
“Dr. Fayemi must keep in remembrance that the people have placed their futures in his safekeeping and he must justify their trust in him by doing all he can do to advance their welfare. I’m confident that Dr. Fayemi will keep faith with the programmes and policies of our party in order to improve the lives of the people of Ekiti. I know Dr. Fayemi will establish an all-inclusive government that involves all stakeholders in his administration and in the governance of the state.
“There was much apprehension and concern leading into the election that the exercise would fall into disorder. It did not. In the end, the election took place as it should for democratic elections are but the peaceful contest of ideas and ideologies. In Ekiti, two clearly different perspectives of governance stood in contest for the people to decide and decide they did. 
“I make no bones that I am glad that Dr. Fayemi and the APC won this contest. However, I would be remiss if I did not say a good word about the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Prof. Olusola Kolapo Eleka. He conducted a tough and energetic campaign. He wanted this seat but, in the end, he did not resort to violence to get his way. He allowed the people to make their own decision and for his adherence to this democratic principle, he should be recognized. 
“The same must be said of Governor Ayo Fayose. He tried to his utmost to bring his candidate to victory but he did not cross the line by trying to subvert the will of the people through violent means. Dr. Fayemi is a man of integrity and his government will not be one of recrimination.  It is a government of the people and as such will focus its attention on helping the people, not suppressing yesterday’s political opponents.
“I urge Governor Fayose and Prof. Kolapo Eleka, as prominent citizens and leaders of Ekiti, to move forward in that same spirit. Let there be an orderly transition from the outgoing to the incoming government.  Last and most importantly, let us commend the people of Ekiti.  Casting aside all the dire predictions, they conducted themselves with the patience, sobriety and collective wisdom befitting the moment. Instead of turning things upside down, they turned to peace and mutual respect for each other as well as respect for the democratic process.
“Above all else, the election was your election and yesterday was your day!  With the choice that you have made, may tomorrow also be your best future”.
Also, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State congratulated Fayemi.
Ambode, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Habib Aruna, commended President Muhammadu Buhari, leaders, members and supporters of APC for the hard-fought victory, adding that it was a testament to the fact that the electoral value of the party has not waned. 
The governor specially praised and congratulated Fayemi for his hard-fought victory and wished him well as he prepares to take the mantle of leadership of the State for a second time.
He also urged the Ekiti Governor-Elect to use his second coming to build on its previous achievements and forge ahead with the quest to unite the Yoruba nation, especially through regional integration and economic transformation of the South-West geo-political zone and justify the confidence the Ekiti electorate have reposed on him.
Ambode also congratulated the Ekiti electorate for comporting themselves peacefully throughout the period of the election, while urging those aggrieved with the result to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters rather than resort to self help.

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