Fayose a dogged political strategist, says Akeredolu

• Urges support for Fayemi
• Mixed reactions trail APC’s victory

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has described Governor Ayodele Fayose as a dogged political strategist who fought a good fight.He urged Fayose to support the in-coming Kayode Fayemi in the interest of the development of Ekiti State.

In a statement by Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi, Akeredolu attributed Fayemi’s victory to “sterling record in public service, tenacity of purpose, exemplary values, stupendous goodwill and abiding grace of God.”He noted that the governor-elect is familiar with the terrain where he “will quickly consolidate on his legacy of good governance which hallmarked his first tenure.”

Akeredolu, who acknowledged the enormity of work ahead for the APC candidate, said Fayemi’s rich experience, far-reaching contacts, resourcefulness and robust intellectual capacity would undoubtedly help him to restore hope in Ekiti.He described Fayose as a great politician, and extended courtesies to the governor whose party was defeated in the election.

“You have fought a good fight. The result of this election underscores the fact that you are a dogged political strategist. We were APC and PDP. Now as brothers and friends, let’s come together to push our avowed agenda for the development of Western Nigeria. Together we will.”

Meanwhile, APC supporters have rolled out drums in the hometown of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, in Ikere Local Government to celebrate their victory.

To forestall any outbreak of violence, military vans, and police Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) were deployed at strategic locations in Ikere with over 25 heavily armed security operatives.

The wild celebrations across the nooks and crannies of Ikere sparked curiosity because Kolapo won the election in his local government with 17,183 votes to defeat APC that had 11,515 votes.

The jubilant APC supporters gathered around the mystical tree, “Igi Ose,” which once caused an open brawl between Governor Fayose and the Olukere of Ikere, Oba Ganiyu Obasanyin.
They attributed the defeat of Eleka to the age-long hostility and rivalry between Olukere and Ogoga, revealing that Fayose’s support to Ogoga caused the disaffection against the PDP.

“We have been telling them that PDP cannot win Ikere. We actually do not hate Eleka, but we want to let Fayose know that he cannot treat our monarch, Olukere, with disdain and not face the consequences,” one of them told The Guardian.In other parts of Ikere, it was a different reaction to the outcome of the election.As early as 7am, the Oja Oba Market, which operates every five days and is close to the palace of Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, was filled to the brim with people buying and selling.

A vegetable seller, Mrs. Yejide Akomolafe, alleged that the election was rigged in favour of APC by INEC, security operatives and the Federal Government. She also accused some co-traders of conniving with the alleged riggers by selling their votes.“You have all sold your birthrights, collected the money and voted against your son. I will see if the N5, 000 will feed you all for the next four years and pay your children’s school fees.

“We are all here together and we shall all see the results of your greed and selfishness. We are seeing the results of this APC-change in Ondo and Kogi states. Olosunta will deal with whosoever will complain in this market,” she said.