My congratulation goes out to the good people of Ekiti State for trouping out en-masse to exercise their franchise to hire and fire as they deem fit. I also congratulate the winner of the election former and Governor in waiting Peter Ayodele Fayose of the PDP, who just achieved an historic feat of the being the first person to win Governorship elections against two incumbents. I wish the people of Ekiti and their Governor in waiting all the very best.
Irrespective of what might have happened in the past, the governor-elect must roll up his sleeve and get to work immediately. He must realise that winning election is just the beginning of many more battles to come, which he has to continually win in the interest of the Ekiti electorates. He must avoid a repeat of mistakes made in his first coming. He must not be beaten twice
My special tribute goes to the incumbent Governor of Ekiti Dr. Kayode Fayemi popularly referred to as JKF by his admirers, of which I am proudly one. Even though the final declaration of the election results as announced by INEC has not gone his way, rather than act the familiar way of Nigerian politicians, he has walked his talk as a democrat; people's servant, and perfect gentle man.
I see the just concluded election in Ekiti as another watershed in our democratic history as a nation. As a youth with keen interest in the political development of our nation, there's been a strong yearning for some form of change from the very unpleasant way politics is practiced in this our part of the world. It was indeed a thing of joy to know that Governor Kayode Fayemi has chosen to be an example of the sort of change we earnestly yearn for, by doing the unprecedented in our recent political firmament. He has shown respect for the people as the Masters with power to hire and fire without bitterness. He has thanked the good people of Ekiti for giving him the opportunity to serve them while also showing sincere interest to work with the incoming Governor, who he describes as a brother for the continuous advancement of good governance in the state.
Governor Kayode Fayemi must not carry the toga of failure as a result of this electoral loss. He must hold his head high. He must stick to his very much admired ideals. He may have lost for many other reasons but certainly not due to failure to deliver ideal service to the people of Ekiti. According to Yemi Olayinka, a People's Democratic Party chieftain in Ekiti "A lot of people cannot even tell you why they want Fayemi to go, because I've asked questions." The popular opinion is that JKF has done well in the area of infrastructural development but failed to appeal to the emotion and sentiments of the majority of Ekiti people. This is a right no one can deny the people of Ekiti.
However sorting through the opinions that has been pouring in so far; I can comfortably say that though he just got rejected by his fellow Ekiti indigenes, he has since been adopted by a wider range of Nigerians through the out pour of sympathy and surprise at the result of the elections. I hope his party the APC is taking notes. Therefore, Governor Kayode Fayemi must immediately begin to see the opportunities that this temporary setback presents.
Another call to service is on the way for Dr. Kayode Fayemi. It is coming sooner than people who analyse politics in the very simplistic manner think. Yes I can see it coming! For those who doubt this, check governor-elect Ayo Fayose's political curriculum vitae. All JKF needs to do immediately is to shrug off this defeat and get ready for the next challenge, it will surely be bigger. He must use the remaining five months of his tenure to complete projects that are complete able. Institutionalise projects and policies that cannot be completed before November. And also very importantly continue to say thank you to the good people of Ekiti state without getting tired. I advise JKF to adopt this as his feel good anthem: If they once chose me, yes they can again!