The result of the 2014 Governorship Election in Ekiti between the immediate past Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and the present Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose was and still a shock to many people as Fayose defeated Dr Fayemi who was the incumbent governor, in all the 16 Local Government Areas in the State.
A lot of questions struck people’s: does it mean the people hated this man so much that he could not even win in his own local government? Was the election rigged in a way that is unknown to everyone? Were the election materials tampered with?
Some people tried to justify the result by saying that Fayose was more popular than Fayemi, some even said he was the man of the people, that the people loved him so much and that gave him such a landslide victory in the election.
However, we should not forget so quickly that this same Ayo Fayose who is said to be man of the people lost woefully to Babafemi Ojudu, an APC candidate in the 2015 Senatorial Election. It was obvious that Fayemi was instrumental to Ojudu’s victory as he was the incumbent governor and in the same party with Ojudu.
It was thus surprising that the same Ayo Fayose could defeat Kayode Fayemi in all the 16 Local Government Areas in the state and the latter could not get to win just a single local government in a state where he was governor for four years.
There were several accusations and revelations after the election which showed the security were heavily used in influencing the results of the election.
Today, Fayose has anointed his deputy, Professor Kolapo Olusola to succeed him despite his initial promise that he would leave with his deputy. So what happened to that promise? Why the sudden change of mind? Why did Fayose swallow his words by presenting his deputy to succeed him and not only presenting, but imposing him on the members of his party.
Governor Fayose had always boasted that if he could contest for more than two terms in Ekiti, he would have contested and won. Is it not obvious the imposition of his deputy on Ekiti people is some kind of third time in disguise for Ayo Fayose?
What makes this forthcoming election and the battle for ‘Oke Ayoba’ more interesting is the fact, the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti has presented Fayemi as their flag bearer.
Many are now wondering whether the 16-0 will repeat itself in the coming election of July 14 election. This may not be easy as Fayemi, who claimed he is no more the old Fayemi that the people knew seems to be on a revenge mission though he stated that his second coming is to restore back the values of the Ekiti people and urged the people to join him in reclaiming the land.
No doubt, this is definitely going to be a very interesting and one of the most talked about elections in the history of Nigeria as former governor, Kayode Fayemi will be contesting against the incumbent governor, Ayo Fayose ‘s candidate in an election that looks like a re-match.
- Femi Oguntayo,
Ado-Ekiti.
and then