APC Wins Ekiti Governship Poll With A Landslide Victory; Biodun Oyebanji Declared Winner
The much talked about gubernatorial election of Ekiti State has been concluded, and it remains a watershed for Ekiti Politics.
Mr Biodun Oyebanji was officially declared by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as winner having pulled the highest votes of one hundred and eighty seven thousand and fifty-seven (187,057) votes and won in more than one-quarter of the local government areas of the state as stipulated in the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He defeated Engr Segun Oni ,a former governor of the state under PDP then but now vied under Social Democratic Party ( SDP ) who garnered eight-two thousand , two hundred and eleven votes (82,211) and Ch. Bisi Kolawole of the PDP supported by Gov. Peter Ayodele Fayose who pulled sixty-seven thousand,four hundred and fifty-seven votes (67,457).
The election which was keenly contested by political gladiators in Ekiti Politics is described by Nigerains as historic as the past and present governors: Gov. Segun Oni, Gov. Ayodele Fayose and Gov. Kayode Fayemi were directly and indirectly on the ballot. The incumbent governor, JKF who previously defeated Osokomale of Ekiti Politics through his political aide ,Prof. Eleka four year ago as the PDP gubernatorial candidate has shown his political superiority over his former co-governors by defeating them this time around through his candidate, Biodun Oyebanji of the APC.
However, there are strong speculations making round that it's unusual the quietude of Peter Fayose who is widely known for his controversial personality. Many alleged that he sold out as he is clandestinely working for the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) who he often described as his mentor as the next president of Nigeria.
To other critical stakeholders in the state especially the PDP stalwarts who prefered to remain anonymous while speaking to Abejoye Media News, confided in us that Fayose lost the election the very day Bisi Kolawole emerged as the party standard bearer in the PDP primary which many PDP gladiators described as a subterfuge of their fundamental human right and political freedom as critical members of the umbrella party by alleging Osokomale of monopolizing the process through marginalization.
To these critical stakeholders and PDP hierarchies, Bisi Kolawole is a product of imposition by Gov. Peter Fayose.
Although many were of the opinion that Gov. Segun Oni would pull a surprise because of his popularity during the campaign as a former governor especially with the crisis associated with APC which was responsible for his political sojourn with his governorship aspirations in SDP. However, the APC has once again demonstrated its acceptability as the party to beat in any election in the state through strategies and tactics.
There were serious allegations and counter-allegations of vote buying against the APC and the use of power of incumbency by the APC, and the reluctance of the Security Operatives to deal ruthlessly with the situation, and compromise of INEC ofgicuals. This allegations to many electorates in the election as alleged point to the fact that the Security Agencies were with the ruling APC.
To Gov. John Kayode Fayemi however, he described the election as a huge success and the APC victory as a victory for democracy in Nigeria. " Although the process was not perfect,at least ,there is obvious improvement. We shall continue to build on the little challenges. I thank the officials of INEC for their good conduct being umpires in the historic election and the Security Operatives and critical observers and the men of the media for their professional conduct. Definitely we are getting it right."
He then called on the defeated to join hands with the winner,Biodun Oyebanji and the APC to move Ekiti State to an enviable height once again.
Biodun Oyebanji was extremely grateful to God Almighty for his victory and that of his party ,the APC. He was grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari ,Gov. John Kayode Fayemi and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) as well as other party stalwarts and leaders who made the triumph possible.
BAO remained extremely thankful too principally to INEC officials for remaining neutral as umpires they are througout the election period and the electorates and the good people of the Fountain of Knowledge particularly the traditional rulers for their royal blessing.
He thanked all other principal partners in Ekiti Transformation Agenda especially sons and daughters who are technocrats and private investors to join hands with him to always make the state a pride of place for all after expressing gratitude to the security agents and the press and other critical observers for their professional conduct.
He thereafter passionately appreciated the maturity of his co-contestants as he said his victory is for democracy. " Let us work together as one united people to make our state a cynosure to all eyes."
