The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has congratulated Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his re-election, describing the outcome as a strong affirmation of the governor’s performance in office by the electorate.
In a statement released on Sunday through Ahmad Sajoh, Head of the Fayemi Media Office, the former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum noted that Oyebanji, who won Saturday’s governorship poll under the All Progressives Congress across all 16 local government areas, received what he termed a decisive vote of confidence from the people of Ekiti State.
Fayemi, while reacting to the outcome, said:
“I join other well-meaning Ekiti citizens and friends of our dear state in congratulating Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his decisive re-election.
This victory is a powerful statement by our people that they recognise and appreciate purposeful governance.
“I commend the people of Ekiti for coming out, once again, to exercise their civic responsibility peacefully,” Fayemi said.
He also praised the conduct of the election, commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for ensuring a largely peaceful process.
Calling for continuity in governance, Fayemi urged Oyebanji to build on the achievements of his first term, especially in key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and human capital development.
Extending a conciliatory message to opposition candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party, the African Democratic Congress and other political parties, he encouraged them to accept the outcome in good faith and support the state’s development efforts.
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He said: “Elections are contests, not wars. I urge the other candidates who contested this election to take the lessons from it in good faith and join hands with Governor Oyebanji in the task of building our state.
“Ekiti is bigger than any one of us, and it is only by working together, across party lines, that we can give our people the development they deserve and which they have consistently asked for at the polls,” he stated.
Fayemi further appealed for unity among residents of the state, urging citizens regardless of political, ethnic, or religious differences to rally behind the governor in his new tenure.
“Our state has always thrived when we set aside our political differences and worked together for the common good.
“I therefore call on all Ekiti sons and daughters, at home and in the diaspora, to continue to support Governor Oyebanji and his administration as he begins this new term, so that together we can sustain the legacy of good governance that our people have come to expect of Ekiti Kete,” Fayemi added.
