The Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr Ayo Fayose, on Thursday
in Abuja, said that the concession of incumbent governor Kayode Fayemi to
defeat was a propaganda stunt aimed at eliciting public sympathy.
in Abuja, said that the concession of incumbent governor Kayode Fayemi to
defeat was a propaganda stunt aimed at eliciting public sympathy.
Fayose told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that although
Fayemi at the weekend conceded publicly and congratulated him, the governor had
not picked calls from him since then.
Fayemi at the weekend conceded publicly and congratulated him, the governor had
not picked calls from him since then.
“The governor said I am conceding to defeat. Let me be
realistic with you, there is a difference between propaganda and reality.
realistic with you, there is a difference between propaganda and reality.
“I have been calling the governor since after our meeting
but he hasn’t picked the call.
but he hasn’t picked the call.
“If you read all papers now, he said I will create local
governments before I go; how do you reconcile these things?
governments before I go; how do you reconcile these things?
“I am not a propagandist, I am a realist. The governor says
he will do employment before he leaves that means you want to create problem
for the incoming government.
he will do employment before he leaves that means you want to create problem
for the incoming government.
“So I see that concession, as good as it may be, we must all
be realistic about it, we must not deceive the Nigerian populace.
be realistic about it, we must not deceive the Nigerian populace.
“Their party said we are still studying the ink used by
INEC; it is the governor that conceded not our party,” he said.
INEC; it is the governor that conceded not our party,” he said.
Fayose recalled that in 2003, his predecessor, Mr Niyi
Adebayo, also conceded defeat but went ahead to conduct a mass recruitment
though he had only six months remaining in his tenure.
Adebayo, also conceded defeat but went ahead to conduct a mass recruitment
though he had only six months remaining in his tenure.
“I respect the governor; he is our leader, up until the 15th
of October, he remains our leader but I want to appeal to APC not to play
propaganda with sensitive issues like this.
of October, he remains our leader but I want to appeal to APC not to play
propaganda with sensitive issues like this.
“If the governor says I am not going, his party too must
make pronouncements otherwise I do not mind them going to court.
make pronouncements otherwise I do not mind them going to court.
“The court will ask you: “it is usually the incumbent that
rigs, why would somebody who is not an incumbent now rig and defeat you in your
ward”?
rigs, why would somebody who is not an incumbent now rig and defeat you in your
ward”?
He said that none of the APC Senators or House of
Representative members, including former governor, Mr Segun Oni, won in their
polling booths, not even former Governor Segun Oni.
Representative members, including former governor, Mr Segun Oni, won in their
polling booths, not even former Governor Segun Oni.
Fayose, however, commended the incumbent governor for the
bold step taken in conceding defeat, though it was meant to induce public
sympathy.
bold step taken in conceding defeat, though it was meant to induce public
sympathy.
He said though he would run an inclusive government he would
only work with those who were willing to work with him.
only work with those who were willing to work with him.
“With due respect, I know APC more than you, I will not
shoot myself in the leg before I start so I will rather let us leave it as it
is.
shoot myself in the leg before I start so I will rather let us leave it as it
is.
“It is our government but we will make sure they have their
say; minority will have their say, majority will have their way. We will make
sure that there is an environment for them to operate as credible opposition to
government.”
say; minority will have their say, majority will have their way. We will make
sure that there is an environment for them to operate as credible opposition to
government.”
(NAN)
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
