Ekiti Gov Kayode Fayemi concedes defeat, congratulates Ayo Fayose

Incumbent Governor of Ekiti State and APC Flag-bearer, Governor Kayode
Fayemi has conceded defeat and congratulated Ayo Fayose, the PDP
candidate at yesterday's governorship election. At a press conference
in Ado Ekiti this morning, Governor Fayemi wished the Governor-elect,
Ayo Fayose all the best in his service as Governor of the state.

See the transcript of his speech after the cut as posted on the
Facebook wall of the Senior Special Assistant (Corporate
Communications) to Governor Fayemi, Mr Akin Rotimi....
In o kun o Ekiti kete.

Yesterday, Ekiti State decided. Following the gubernatorial elections
held in the land of honour, Ekiti State, Nigeria, the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially returned the
candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the
election.

If indeed this is the will of the Ekiti People, I stand in deference
to your will. If the result of the elections is an expression of the
voice of our people, we must all heed your voice.

I have just spoken with my brother, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose,
congratulating him on his victory. In a few hours from now, I would be
meeting the Governor-elect to discuss the future of our dear state and
how we would work together to institute a smooth transition programme.

It has been a hard fought election. As expected, in the course of the
campaigns, there were unsavory episodes as the candidates toured the
nooks and crannies of the state to sell ourselves to the people.
Elections tend to be highly divisive affairs that often see brother
rising against brother. Despite our diverse party affiliations, and
regardless of which way we voted on Saturday, we must remember that we
are all sons and daughters of Ekiti State. Ekiti is ours to build
together.

On our part, over the course of the campaigns, we presented our
scorecards before the people of Ekiti State. We never at any point
took your support for granted. We campaigned, we canvassed and we
traversed the nooks and crannies of this State. Our performance and
achievements in office will remain the backdrop against which the next
government and indeed future governments will be assessed. We are
proud that with the support of Ekiti people, we have raised the bar of
excellence in governance. In all, we gave our best, for conscience and
for posterity.

Indeed a new sociology of the Ekiti people may have evolved. However,
the task of understanding how the outcome of this election has defined
us as a people will be that of scholars. For us as an administration
and a cadre of political leaders in Ekiti State, we have fought a good
fight, we have kept faith.

To members of our party, our campaign team and indeed all Ekiti people
who defied the siege on our state to cast their votes for our party, I
salute your exemplary courage and doggedness in the face of
harassment.

Thank you for staying the course. The incidences of brazen harassment,
intimidation and allied infractions on fundamental human rights, which
many of you suffered in the hands of agents of the state, would be
documented and communicated to the appropriate authorities, for the
records.
I thank you all for listening.

May God bless the land of honour, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dr. Kayode Fayemi
Governor, Ekiti State
Sunday, June 22, 2014