The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi has congratulated Biodun Oyebanji on his victory at Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
Dr Fayemi also congratulated the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as the Ekiti electorate.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Mr Oyebanji, the APC candidate and former Secretary to the State Government, as winner of the election, having pulled a total of 187,057 votes in the keenly contested election.
Dr Fayemi, in his congratulatory message in Ado- Ekiti on Sunday, described Mr Oyebanji’s victory as well deserved, adding that it was a befitting honour for a man who, in the last three decades, had committed his time, energy, talent and resources to the development of the state.
“Ekiti people have spoken loud and clear. The outcome of the election has shown that Ekiti people are honourable people, who always support and reward leaders who have served them diligently and faithfully,” Dr Fayemi said.
He said Mr Oyebanji was “irrevocably committed to the Ekiti project”, and would create opportunities for other young people to aspire to and attain great heights.
In the same vein, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo felicitated with Mr Oyebanji and the APC on their success in the election.
The Minister lauded the people of the State for their peaceful conduct, saying they have shown the whole world that Nigeria’s democracy has matured.
Otunba Adebayo also congratulated the outgoing Governor, Dr Fayemi for the success of APC in the election.
The outcome of the election was, he said, the people’s verdict on his performance in the last three and half years, which put the state “on the path of steady progress and development”.
More applause
Otunba Adebayo, Ekiti’s first Civilian Governor, also praised other contestants in the election for abiding by the rules of the game and allowing Ekiti people to make their decision on who should be their next governor.
He called on all political stakeholders to accept the outcome of the election and team up with Mr Oyebanji to continue the “good work” of the incumbent governor.
Otunba Adebayo applauded INEC for the successful conduct of the election, hoping that the commission would continue to improve on the electoral processes that they have put in place.
Reporting by Tope Omobepade; Editing by Adeniyi Bakare and Tony Okerafor