Victory procession in Ado-Ekiti as Fayemi promises workers better welfare package

Ekiti State Governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Sunday literally locked down parts of Ado Ekiti, in a victory dance procession that lasted for hours.
The former  Minister of Mines and Steel Development arrived in the state capital about 3 p.m. from his Isan Ekiti country home, accompanied by several vehicles, volunteered by political associates and friends.
Scores of residents, comprising a section of public service workers, artisans, okada riders as well as some students unions, had gathered at various strategic locations around the city as early as 1p.m.  to either  catch a glimpse of the newly-elected governor or cheer him up.
The procession halted both human and vehicular movements for a couple of hours, even as many sang his praises and danced stylishly.
Addressing the crowd, Fayemi expressed gratitude to Ekiti people for voting massively for him on Saturday.
He promised to fulfil his electioneering campaigns, saying every aspect of human life would be touched in his second coming into office.

“Last Saturday July 14, 2018 was the day you the people of Ekiti spoke and your voice was heard resoundingly
“On same Saturday, in keeping with the finest traditions of democracy, you determined through the ballot box to change the course of our destiny for good.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has affirmed your collective verdict and formally returned our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as winner of the 2018 Ekiti gubernatorial election
“This victory is to the resilient people of Ekiti State whose brightness and hope never dimmed in the face of untold hardship and all forms of indignity under the PDP leadership who has ruled you  like a conquered people.
” As a survival strategy, our people were forced to hail them on the streets all in a bid to survive.
“They brandished this as a mark of approval, validation and popularity with our people.
” This is is not just a day of our victory through the ballot. This is indeed the day of the liberation of Ekiti land.
“Our collective rescue mission and the audacious dream to reclaim our land and restore our values have attained a new height on the journey to full realization.

” I am particularly pleased that while there were reports of minor breaches as you would find with any high stakes contest, the entire process was adjudged to be generally free, fair and credible.
” The very nature of elections are divisive as we cannot all see things from the same perspective, neither can we all have the same preference for political parties and candidates.
” However, regardless of how we voted on Saturday, I encourage us all to accept the results in true democratic spirit and commence the journey to reuniting our state.
” Despite the divisive nature of the contest, I want you to remember our bond of unity as Ekiti people. I, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, hereby offer myself to be the governor of all irrespective of faith, creed or political belief.”
Fayemi saluted all other candidates for enriching the process and for their  civility and patriotism in accepting the outcome of the exercise, saying he looked forward to consulting with them and secure their  input.
He also thanked all government entities that participated in the process in one way or the other, especially the INEC and the security agencies, for upholding their neutrality and professionalism in the discharge of their mandates.
Fayemi thanked all civic society actors, the international community, traditional institutions, religious organisations, trade and labour organisations and the media, for their activities which contributed to the success of the elections.
He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of APC at all levels for the support in bringing Ekiti back to the progressive fold.
” As we look forward to the inauguration of the new APC administration on Tuesday, October 16, 2018, I offer my assurances that we will not wait till then to bring immediate succour to you.
” We will proactively explore all avenues within the limits of the law, especially through the Transition Committee to be set up very soon, to ensure the outgoing administration prioritises the payment of the backlog of salaries to all categories of workers and pensioners.
When he got to the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat, he assured workers in the Fountain of Knowledge that his administration would make their welfare a top priority and not pay lip service to it.
Addressing a press conference, he promised to pay all outstanding salaries and assured the civil servants that their subsequent salaries would be paid as and when due.
He also promised to turn around the fortunes of Ekiti and set a standard for other governors in the country to emulate.
The governor-elect said that in the past three and a half years, the civil servants in the state had been suffering to even feed their families not to talk of paying their children school fees.
“I want to assure Ekiti workers that I am going to pay all their outstanding salaries and make life comfortable for them and their families.
“My re-election as the governor-elect of ‎Ekiti state was not accidental, but divine intervention from God.
“I want all the civil servants to note that my re-election was not to take vengeance, but to restore peace, transformation and development to the state‎.
“I wish to appreciate all the party chieftains that supported my ambition to contest again for the governor of this state, I want to assure you that you will not regret your support to me.
“Also to the opposition party, I wish to advise ‎Governor Ayodele Fayose and his deputy, the PDP candidate in the election, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, to accept defeat, just like I did four years ago.
“It is the Lord’s doing that I am re-elected as  the next governor of Ekiti State and I want them to equally see my victory in the governorship election held on Saturday as the Lord’s doing, “he said.
The governor-elect assured all Ekiti people of adequate security of lives and properties from any forms of attack from herdsmen or terrorists.
He promised never to fold his arms and allow terrorists to invade the state, saying that Ekiti people were peace loving, hardworking, intelligent and discipline.
He called on other opposition ‎parties to join hands with him to develop and promote the cultural values of the state on assumption of office.
The news conference was attended by the State Chairman of the party and his deputy, Chief Jide Awe and Mrs Kemi Olaleye as well as other chieftains.