fayemi's loss is a mystery-soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has described the loss of the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in the June 21 governorship election as a mystery which the All Progressives Congress must unravel.

He said with the various programmes and legacy projects put in place by Fayemi, his successor must continue on the path of development.

He stated this during the inauguration of the new Government House known as “Ayoba Villa” in Ado Ekiti on Sunday.

Fayemi said he had no apology for all he did in government.

He said it was up to his successor to “either honour or desecrate the legacy the APC government is leaving behind.

“For us anyway, in the last four years, it has been truth, sacrifice with integrity, honour, compassion, commitment to good governance and competence in public office.

“For us, public office remains the highest form of duty. We have no apology for all we have done. We thank our people for the solidarity and support.”

In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, said posterity would be a better judge that Fayemi ruled Ekiti State in dignified ways to the extent that he left indelible marks in the state.

Tambuwal added that Fayemi combined good governance and politics saying that despite losing an election, the governor still continued to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

The APC National Chairman, Chief Jide Awe, at the event reassured the people that the party would continue to galvanise and mobilise to reclaim the state, saying that, “Victory is certain.”

He said, “He (Fayemi) has rescued a lot of projects from the jaw of stomach infrastructure to have made them real social infrastructure. To us in the APC, it is not over yet, we are marching forward. There might be a temporary eclipse, but after this eclipse comes sunshine.

“We have done a lot in this state through our governor and government that posterity will not forget us. The state belongs to us. We will continue to struggle to ensure that we achieve our ideals for this state.

“We will continue to galvanise and mobilise our party for greater heights. I want to assure that victory is achieved already. Victory is certain,” Awe added.

Soyinka, who, expressed bewilderment at the outcome of the June 21 election said, “Somewhere, something went wrong and it has to be corrected. That is the message I have for all of you. Be patient but at the same time be watchful.

He advised the people to put aside all the mystery surrounding the loss and continue to build on the “good foundation” Fayemi had established.

Soyinka added, “Many people within and outside Ekiti were mystified. There is a clarity in my mind. That clarity has been demonstrated today and has been manifested in the four years of Fayemi.

“My own message is that, put the mystery aside and the emotional attachment. Continue to build on the foundation that has been laid by him. The state has been resurrected in a way that all of us should be proud of.

“I’m glad that there is no sadness on the face of anybody. I’m happy I do not perceive any iota of regret on the face of anyone. That is the way it should be.”

Fayemi said that all the legacy projects inaugurated in his last days were a reflection of his commitment to public service.

“For us, everything that has happened is about the service to our people. It is about putting our people forward. It is about making the fundamental differences in the lives of our people and making their lives more abundant.

“The Ekiti we are leaving is far better than the Ekiti we met. Those who are coming behind us can build on this in a sustainable manner.”

“We are on a journey, we are not in a destination yet. That journey would have remarkable progress, undulating lines, we would go into valleys, we would face challenges, and the triumph of it is to see opportunities in those challenges and to keep moving on until a better and greater Nigeria of our dream comes to fruition in our country.”

Earlier, a thanksgiving service was held at the St. Patrick Catholic Cathedral, Ado Ekiti for the successful completion of the four-year term of the Fayemi-led administration which is the second time a governor would complete his tenure since the beginning of civil rule in the state in 1999.

In his homily, the Vicar General of Ekiti Catholic Diocese, Most Revd Felix Odesanmi, commended Fayemi for his consistency in giving gratitude to God even as he recalled that the governor had on assumption of office in 2010 come to give thanks and gave thanks while leaving office.

Odesanmi said the governor had served the state with integrity, love and commitment.

Copyright PUNCH.

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