Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Kayode Fayemi, has won the Ekiti State governorship election.

Fayemi defeated current Deputy Governor of the state and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kolapo Olusola, and over 30 others in a keenly contested election.

He was victorious in 11 out of the 16 local government areas of the state, polling 197,459 votes, and edging out his closest rival Olusola who got 178,121 votes by 19,338 votes.

Based on the votes secured, INEC’s Chief Returning Officer for the election, Professor Idowu Olayinka, declared Fayemi the winner.

Saturday’s election was highly anticipated as it pitted both the APC and Fayemi against one of their biggest critics and a key member of the opposition.

The buildup to the election was filled with drama and heightened expectations but led to fears of violence, with more than 30,000 policemen eventually deployed to provide security.

It, however, started rather smoothly with electoral materials and officials getting to polling units visited by our correspondents on schedule.

In Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, there was a large turnout of voters and more than 60,000 people eventually voted there, the largest votes cast in a local government during the election.

Apart from reports now and then of card reader malfunction, one of the first issues to pop up was the allegations of cash inducements by observers and party agents.

A few hours into the start of the election, the police arrested some persons for allegedly distributing cash to voters.

By midday, both Fayemi and Olusola had suffered hitches at their polling units.
In the case of Fayemi, the card reader smoothly read his PVC enabling him to vote but it failed to read that of his wife and it took several attempts before she got to vote.

After voting, the former Ekiti governor told reporters he was confident of victory and that the day will be celebrated.

In the case of Olusola, the card reader failed to recognise his card when he tried to vote at his polling unit – Ofomofuru Hall, Ward 2, Okokuru in Ikere-Ekiti.

He only got accredited to vote after INEC National Commissioner, Anthonia Simbini, intervened.

Both candidates did not dwell on the hitch, however, with the focus more on voter inducement and intimidation.

The victory puts Mr Fayemi on course for a second term as governor of the state, an ambition he failed to achieve in 2014 when he was defeated by Governor Ayodele Fayose.

Fayemi had gone on to head the Policy, Research and Strategy Directorate of the APC’s Presidential Campaign for the 2015 election before becoming Minister of Mines and Steel Development.

Fayose, whose administration repeatedly accused Fayemi’s administration, was keen to ensure that his deputy succeeds him and that Ekiti remains under the leadership of the PDP.

When he came out to vote, the governor repeated his calls to supporters of the PDP to vote and protect their votes.

Although it was a close contest, Fayemi and the APC prevailed

SenorFax:
Rigging at its best.

This is Nigeria

SenorFax:
Rigging at its best.

This is Nigeria

yipata:
OYA IPOB GOATS AND APOSTLE SULE CHILDREN PLS DON'T CRY TOO MUCH. GOD IS IN CHARGE.. LOL. GOD HAS SHOWN YOU GUYS THAT BUHARI IS TILL 2023.

naijaguy123456:
Fayose is flying out of Nigeria tonight. Asylum loading...........

MufasaRebirth:
There is no time to cry over spilled milk, Ekiti people have decided on who they want to Govern them.....We have to brace up for the next Challenge.


Special thanks to my South-Eastern brothers for their support, you guys are the best.


God Bless Ayodele Fayose !!
God Bless Prof Eleka !!
God Bless PDP !!
Good Bless Nigeria !!

qualityGod:
No government that is owing workers salary and you think you can win I'm not a politician but anambra paid salary well and even leave arrears that was why he won ,fayose don't have good advisers

EternalTruths:



Don't mind Fayose.

You refused to pay salaries and even give bonuses and expect to win Federal Might.


Which civil servant will campaign for a Governor who is starving them.?

SEE HOW U SOUND SO DEFEATED LOL. WELL EXACTKY NY QUESTION FOR U, WETIN CONCERN Igbos WITH SOUTHWEST? WHY THE PROTESTING FOR FAYOSE IN THE EAST? WELL YOU PDP SHOULD GO AMD LEARN HOW TO PUT THE ELECTORATES FIRAT, THATS THE ONLY WAY U GUYS WILL HAVE LITTLE VOICE AGAIN. PELE

EternalTruths:



What concerns IPOB with your useless election.?

All these political illiterates littering Nairaland.

Righteousness89:
The Elections have Come and Gone...

A Candidate has being Declared....

But What does Coming Elections hold with this kind of Elections....

30,000 Policemen will not be deployed because Elections will be going on concurrently!!

With What was displayed in Ekiti state, Our Elections might be a Blood bath......

President Buhari has set a very bad template for Elections in Nigeria......

Nigeria needs the Hand of GOD much more than Ever ...

Many are Laughing at Gov. FAYOSE, but if a sitting Governor can be Molested the manner he was, then what befalls the Citizens...

My Advice: Everyone should Get closest to GOD ALMIGHTY, submit totally to HIM, surrender to HIM... That's the only way to Safety now!

miiraaj:


This long wailing essay is just a tip of the iceberg. Expect more to come.