Few hours after the candidate of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, was declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the winner of the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State, western Nigeria, the incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi has released a concession speech.
It could be recalled that, according to results released by INEC, Mr Fayose had scored 203, 090 votes to beat the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Fayemi, who scored 120, 433.
The electoral body also announced that the candidate of the Labour Party, Bamidele Michael Opeyemi, scored 18,135 votes to come third.
While reacting to the results announced by INEC early Sunday morning, Governor Fayemi said: "If indeed this is the will of the Ekiti People, I stand in deference to your will. If the result of the elections is an expression of the voice of our people, we must all heed your voice."
Below is the full concession speech made by the incumbent Governor Fayemi:
Quote
"Yesterday, Ekiti State decided. Following the gubernatorial elections held in the land of honour, Ekiti State, Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially returned the candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election.
If indeed this is the will of the Ekiti People, I stand in deference to your will. If the result of the elections is an expression of the voice of our people, we must all heedyour voice.
I have just spoken with my brother, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, congratulating him on his victory. In a few hours from now, I would be meeting the Governor-elect to discuss the future of our dear state and how we would work together to institute a smooth transition programme.
It has been a hard fought election. As expected, in the course of the campaigns, there were unsavory episodes as the candidates toured the nooks and crannies of the state to sell ourselves to the people. Elections tend to be highly divisive affairs that often see brother rising against brother. Despite our diverse party affiliations, and regardless of which way we voted on Saturday, we must remember that we are all sons and daughters of Ekiti State. Ekiti is ours to build together.
On our part, over the course of the campaigns, we presented our scorecards before the people of Ekiti State. We never at any point took your support for granted. We campaigned, we canvassed and we traversed the nooks and crannies of this State. Our performance and achievements in office will remain the backdrop against which the next government and indeed future governments will be assessed. We are proud that with the support of Ekiti people, we have raised the bar of excellence in governance. In all, we gave our best, for conscience and for posterity.
Indeed a new sociology of the Ekiti people may have evolved. However, the task of understanding how the outcome of this election has defined us as a people will be that of scholars. For us as an administration and a cadre of political leaders in Ekiti State, we have fought a good fight, we have kept faith.
To members of our party, our campaign team and indeed all Ekiti people who defied the siege on our state to cast their votes for our party, I salute your exemplary courage and doggedness in the face of harassment. Thank you for staying the course. The incidences of brazen harassment, intimidation and allied infractions on fundamental humanrights, which many of you suffered in the hands of agents of the state, would be documented and communicated to the appropriate authorities, for the records.
I thank you all for listening.
May God bless the land of honour, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
Meanwhile, shortly after Mr Fayode was declared winner of the Ekiti Governorship elections, President Goodluck Jonathan had gone on his official Facebook account to post congratulatory message on Fayose's victory.
Prior to the election, political analysts had predicted the contest to be between the candidates of three parties - the incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi of the APC, a former governor of the state, Ayo Fayose of the PDP, and a member of the House of Representatives, Opeyemi Bamidele of the Labour Party.
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Posted: at 22-06-2014 03:08 PM (10 years ago) | Addicted Hero
infact Governor Fayemi is indeed democrat,if all political other can accept like this Nigeria we reach their land of goal,IT believe new elected Governor can gain from outgoing Governor
Posted: at 22-06-2014 05:10 PM (10 years ago) | Newbie
infact Governor Fayemi is indeed democrat,if all political other can accept like this Nigeria we reach their land of goal,IT believe new elected Governor can gain from outgoing Governor
Posted: at 22-06-2014 05:10 PM (10 years ago) | Newbie
infact Governor Fayemi is indeed democrat,if all political holder can accept like this Nigeria we reach their land of goal,I believe new elected Governor can gain from outgoing Governor,long life Ekiti State,long life people of Ekiti State,long life Nigeria
Posted: at 22-06-2014 05:12 PM (10 years ago) | Newbie
Na only 9ja person wey dem impeach for fraud and misappropriation of public funds go come contest election and the same deprived public go vote and rig election for am
Posted: at 22-06-2014 06:51 PM (10 years ago) | Upcoming
My advice to APC is simple: Focus on the people. Tell us what you would bring to the table. Don't expend your propaganda on telling us that Jonathan should be hated but how you would perform! Lie to us that you would build brand new railways and expressways. Tell us you would ensure steady power supply. Tell us about big and grandiose things you would do. Give us hope. Inspire us. Nigerians are sick and tired of this propaganda of hatred being spread by the APC. All we hear is hate Jonathan, Hate Jonathan, Hate Jonathan.
They can close the door against me but can't stop me frm coming in
Posted: at 22-06-2014 07:04 PM (10 years ago) | Addicted Hero
odprince at 22-06-2014 10:09 PM (10 years ago) (m)
APC IS THE WORST THING THAT NIGERIA HAVE...BOKO HARAMIST GROUP..HATERS OF OTHERS.WHAT CAN THEY OFFER US????JONATHAN IS DOING EVERYTHING FOR US ALREADY,WHAT THE HAUSA'S NEVER DO FOR 40YRS ONLY TAKE PRESIDENT JONATHAN 2-3 YEARS TO ACHIEVE....PDP IS MY PARTY AND BIAFRA IS MY NATION........LONG LIVE PDP,LONG LIVE NIGERIA......APC CAN BRIBE PEOPLE WITH RICE......WE DON'T NEED BOKO HARAM AGAIN APC...TELL YOUR BOYS TO STOP KILLING US....
Posted: at 22-06-2014 10:09 PM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac