Text of the speech by His Excellency,
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor, Ekiti State, Nigeria
to
THANK THE PEOPLE OF EKITI STATE FOR THEIR PEACEFUL CONDUCT DURING THE FEBRUARY 23, 2019 PRESIDENTIAL/NASS ELECTION
1. The election of Saturday 23rd of February, 2019 was a watershed in our history as a people and State. Election observers’ reports have not only adjudged Ekiti as the most peaceful state with zero record of violence or ballot snatching all through the electioneering process, the State has been praised by its timeliness in submitting election results. This builds on our record of peaceful election witnessed during the July 2018 Gubernatorial elections. Ekiti people are peace loving people and it gladdens my heart that not even contest for political power has eroded that cherished disposition. Our conduct before, during and after the election is exemplary and worthy of emulation.
2. My gratitude is immeasurable to all Ekiti indigenes and residents who came out in their large numbers to cast their votes for the party of their choice. I salute your steadfastness, courage, loyalty, commitment and fierce determination to defend your sovereign rights and the integrity of our nascent democracy. This has earned us prestige in the eye of the world and ensured that Ekiti-Kete is the winner in the electoral process.
3. You have also demonstrated, through your participation in this election, that in a democracy, power truly belongs to the people. I am humbled by your trust and abiding faith in me and my party. I pledge that your confidence in us shall never be betrayed or taken for granted.
4. I am honoured and elated by your show of love for our President. You have challenged us once again by strengthening your trust in us through your votes. As a government and political party, we owe it to you not to betray the trust you reposed in us through this new mandate. With your unflinching trust and support, the task of securing meaningful and sustainable development for our dear state is made easier.
5. I thank you most sincerely for avoiding, ignoring and shunning all negative tendencies that occurred in other part of the country leading to violence and avoidable loss of lives. You came out with dignity and voted for candidates of your choice, leading to unprecedented victory for the APC in Ekiti State. Let me assure you that I appreciate this victory and your show of love as a reward for what we have done as a government in the past four months. You have, by this gesture, further encouraged us to rededicate ourselves to the service of our dear State and the people, and we assure you that we will never look back until Ekiti State returns to its pride of place among the comity of states across the country and beyond. Our loyalty remains with you, the people of Ekiti State.
6. As we go into the second phase of the electoral process on March 9th, 2019, I want to admonish us to rededicate ourselves to a non-violent, peaceful, transparent, free and fair process in the State Assembly elections.
7. I promise that we shall not rest on our oars, but rather strive harder to make life more meaningful for the generality of our people. You can be assured that we will leave no stone unturned in our continued efforts to transform, reform, develop and restore Ekiti to a land of honour, prosperity and peace. I remain committed to the service of our people and the strengthening of democratic values in Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole.
8. Once again, thank you all for your conduct and support, and above all for making us proud as a people and State.
9. God bless Ekiti-Kete!
God bless Ekiti State, the land of honour!
God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
10. Alale Ekiti agbe a, o!
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor, Ekiti State.
