Ekiti: Fayose Speaks On Defection As Gov-elect Visits Him In Lagos

By Ayodele Oni

In continuation of his thank you visit to political leaders and royal fathers, Ekiti State Governor-elect, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos residence of former Governor of the State, Mr Ayodele Fayose.

Media Aide to the Governor elect, Raheem Akingbolu said in a statement that the visit was sequel to the congratulatory messages sent to Oyebanji by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the June 18 election, Chief Bisi Kolawole, and Fayose.

The PDP and its candidate in the election had earlier hailed the outcome despite coming third in the race.

Oyebanji said the visit was to extend courtesies to Fayose as a former governor of the state, who, according to him, demonstrated statesmanship by congratulating him shortly after he was declared winner.

Fayose, while receiving the Governor-elect, urged him to be magnanimous in victory and to see himself as the Governor of Ekiti State and leader of the people regardless of their political affiliation.

He promised to support Oyebanji’s administration in whatever area his support would be needed, adding that the development of Ekiti State is a collective effort.

Oyebanji had earlier gone on a thank you visit to the Governor of the State, Dr Kayode Fayemi in Ado-Ekiti, a day after the incumbent Governor led two other APC governors to visit him at his Ikogosi Ekiti country home.

The Governor-elect has also visited the first civilian Governor of the state, currently Minister of Investments, Trade and Industry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, at his Iyin-Ekiti country home earlier in the week.

He had also visited Chief Deji Fasuan, the nonagenarian elder statesman who chaired the committee for the creation of Ekiti State, under whom he served as Secretary (to the committee) as well as the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, HRM, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe.

Meanwhile, Fayose has restated his resolve not to support the presidential flagbearer of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, insisting that he would soon announce his next move.

Fayose in his Twitter page on Wednesday stated that “The current President of Nigeria is a two term northern Presidency, thus implying that it must be a southern Presidency in 2023 or nothing. Awa south lo kan. Nigerians should await details soon.”