Ekiti elections petition tribunal upholds Fayemi’s victory

• We are not surprised at verdict, says Fayose
• PDP candidate kicks as gov dedicates victory to citizens

The Ekiti State Election Petitions Tribunal yesterday upheld the election of Governor Kayode Fayemi, as duly elected in the July 14 gubernatorial poll in the state.

But in a swift reaction, immediate past Governor Ayodele Fayose declared that he was not surprised at the judgement on the petition filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Professor Kolapo Olusola, saying it was already in public domain and being celebrated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for over a week.

Fayose added that he would have been surprised at its outcome if it had been otherwise because the APC-led government had already gagged the judiciary.

His Media Aide, Lere Olayinka, in a statement quoted the former governor as saying that the judgement will be appealed and the case pursued to the Supreme Court, assuring that justice will prevail ultimately.

He enjoined Nigerians and Ekiti people to keep hope alive against what he described as a perversion, suppression and gagging of judges and by extension, the judiciary.

Reacting to the development, Fayemi dedicated the victory to Ekiti people, saying it is a re-affirmation of their wishes.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, the governor applauded the judgement as another proof that the wishes of the people will always prevail.

Also, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Bisi Egbeyemi, has said the victory secured at the tribunal will motivate Fayemi to work harder in the state.

Egbeyemi in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Odunayo
Ogunmola, said the confirmation of Fayemi’s victory in the July 14, 2018 governorship election, was a huge plus for the APC and the state.

He said the verdict would strengthen the APC in the state ahead of the February 16 Presidential and National Assembly elections and the March 2 House of Assembly polls.

However, former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate whose election petition was dismissed by the tribunal, Professor Kolapo Olusola, has described the judgment as a perversion of truth and rape of democracy.

In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Onaopemipo Akinloye in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, Olusola said the tribunal’s judgment validating Fayemi’s election could not stand because it was not the truth.