Fayose Describes Governor Fayemi As An Unusual Leader

The newly elected-Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has commented on the leadership style of the incumbent governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Fayose, who represented the People Democratic Party, PDP, during the Governorship Election held on 21 June, 2014, while speaking during a courtesy visit to Fayemi in his office on Monday, 23 June, 2014, described the incumbent governor as an unusual Nigerian leader who puts the interest of his state ahead of personal gains.

PMNEWS reports that the former governor of Ekiti from 2003 to 2006 stated that Fayemi’s attitude to the outcome of Saturday’s poll shows that “he conceded in the overall interest of Ekiti State.”

The governor-elect said Fayemi has demonstrated commitment to the peace and development of the state since 2010; assuring that he would complement all achievements made by the incumbent Governor when he hands over in October.

“I got a call from the governor, our leader, Dr Kayode Fayemi and he told me expressly of his readiness to ensure that the state moves forward by accepting the result in the outcome of the June 21 governorship election which I consider he is the only statesman that can do that without being immodest.

“I want to equally understate the fact that as a leader and governor of a state, when such gestures are made, it behoves on people like me as a leader on the other side to meet with him and acknowledge the fact that he conceded in the overall interest of Ekiti. It is unusual; it is not Nigerian or an African-like for leaders to concede readily,” Fayose said.

The governor-elect while urging supporters of each political party to shun acts that can jeopardise the peace of the state, said it was time for reconciliation in order to build upon what Fayemi had done.

 * Governor Fayemi, left, and Governor elect, Fayose

“I hope this meeting will further strengthen the peace in our state, and I want to add that our supporters must help us to help this state. Some came to my house yesterday singing all sorts of songs. I had to wake up and stop them. This is not a time to sing such songs. It is a time for reconciliation and love, to learn from the past and ensure that we have a wonderful future ahead of us. This leadership calls for us to live according to the rules of the game and ensure that tomorrow, we will be made accountable.

“Dr Fayemi has demonstrated commitment to peace and I am going to complement his effort. I am going to take it up from wherever he stops and make sure that immediately after leaving office, he still continues to enjoy his rights and benefits of a leader that has served his own people,” he said.

In his response, Governor Fayemi reiterated his commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people within the next few months before the transition to another administration.

The Governor stressed that politicians should not misinterpret governance with politics during the period as this could heat up the polity even as the administration still has obligations to deliver to the people until October 15 this year.

Fayemi while reacting to Fayose’s surprise at his concession stated his respect for the will of the people even as he said that this is one of the ways Ekiti State can progress faster considering its disadvantaged position.

“For me, leadership is about service. It is about sacrifice. It is not about personal aggrandizement, not about personal benefit but the duty that we owe our people is to ensure that Ekiti continues to progress. Anything that will make the state progress is what I will be associated with. People have said my gesture is strange, it is unAfrican, well I am a democrat and the will of the people is the basis of democracy. If it is the will of the people, we do not have a choice than to respect their will, and to do everything to ensure that we deepen this democracy not just for Ekiti but also for Nigeria,” Fayemi said.

It was gathered that both Fayemi and Fayose later met behind closed doors.

It could be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had on Sunday declared Fayose as the winner of the governorship election in Ekiti State.

According to the results, incumbent Governor Fayemi of the All Progressives Congresss, APC, finished second while Labour Party's candidate, Bamidele Opeyemi finished third. 

Source: Legit.ng