BY ABIODUN NEJO
Communities in Ekiti State erupted in wild jubilation on Sunday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, winner of the keenly contested poll.
Isan Ekiti, the home town of Fayemi, and Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, which is the birthplace of the APC running mate, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, and many other communities, poured to the streets to celebrate the victory which they described as well-deserved.
Fayemi beat his closest rival, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Prof Kolapo Olusola.
Results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that Fayemi scored 197,459 to beat Olusola, who scored 178,121. The PDC came a distant third position with 1,242 votes.
Fayemi won in 12 council areas including the Irepodun/Ifelodun Council area of Governor Ayodele Fayose while Olusola won in four local governments as against the case in 2014 when Fayemi lost in all the 16 council areas.
The local governments won by Fayemi and his APC are Ekiti East, Ekiti South West, Gbonyin, Ido Osi, Ijero, Ikole, Ilejemeje, Irepodun/ Ifelodun, Ise Orun, Moba and Oye while the four councils won by the PDP candidate are Ado, Ikere, Efon and Emure.
Declaring Fayemi the winner of the poll, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, who is also the Presiding Officer of the election, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka, said: “Having certified the requirements of the law, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the APC, is hereby declared as the elected governor.”
Olayinka said the total number of votes cast during the election were 384,594, rejected votes 18,857 bringing total to 403,451.
This will be the second time that Fayemi would rule the state. His first term was between October 16, 2010 to October 15, 2014. The then governorship candidate of the PDP, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, defeated Fayemi by beating him 16-0.
Immediately the result was announced, APC supporters went into jubilation and commended the INEC for conducting a free, fair and credible election.
In his reaction, the Chairman of Fayemi Campaign Organisation in the northern senatorial zone, Mr. Rufus Adumo, commended the INEC, the security agents and the voters for a peaceful exercise adding that the winner would improve on his achievements during his first term.
