The drama, angst, predictions,
political permutations and jamborees surrounding the 2018 governorship election
in Ekiti state came to an abrupt end on Sunday morning. The Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) collated the votes from different local
governments and the winner was declared in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. The
announcement threw some quarters into wild celebrations, while others were
subjected to a mishmash of mild silence and disapproval.
Nevertheless, for every electoral
process, there are winners and there are losers. The election was dominated by
two major political parties – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All
Progressives Congress (APC). Having monitored the events leading to the
governorship election in Ekiti, we bring highlights of the biggest winners and
losers.
BIGGEST WINNERS
Fayemi and wife surrounded by the governors of Jigawa, Kebbi and Ogun |
KAYODE FAYEMI
Fayemi polled 197,459 votes to
defeat his closest rival, Olushola, who had 178,121 votes, a margin of 19,338.
Not many thought the 53-year-old
former minister of solid minerals development, who held sway as the governor of
the state from 2010 to 2014, was going to clinch the party’s ticket as all odds
seemed to be against him. Yet, he rose to become the candidate of the All
Progressives Congress.
He said his victory is for
reclaiming the land and restoring the values of his people.
BUHARI
Perhaps, some would say that the
president is the biggest winner of the election that booted out the candidate
one of his critics, Ayodele Fayose. Beyond that, Ekiti is the only state being
controlled by the opposition in the south-west.
While hosting members of the APC
south-west caucus to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja in May, Buhari
said winning the state is important to the party as it would serve as a pointer
to subsequent elections in the country.
With Ekiti in the hands of APC,
the president’s second term ambition seems to have received a huge boost as it
can boast of conquering the south west, while the north obviously seems to pose
no threat.
ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC)
In 2016, APC took Ondo state from
PDP with the emergence of Rotimi Akeredolu as governor. With just one state to
overrun the south-west, the party lusted for the soul of Ekiti.
For an embattled party dealing
with breakaway factions, the emergence of Fayemi has given it full control of
the region. Hence, it is a big win that will shape future elections.
ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE
Less than a month after he
emerged chairman of the APC, the party has reason to celebrate. Although the
foundation for Fayemi’s victory was laid under John Oyegun, former APC
chairman, the victory was secured under Oshiomhole.
No better way to start his journey
in office. “Osho Baba” as his supporters call him has hit the ground running.
Last week when he campaigned for Fayemi, he alleged that Fayose used the N10
billion bailout funds to bail his pocket but promised them that Fayemi would
clear the backlog of salaries.
The governor-elect has also
accepted the promise his party chairman made on his behalf. Although Oshiomhole
has more battles to fight, especially from factions within the party, this
victory means a lot to him.
BIGGEST LOSERS
AYODELE FAYOSE
The outgoing governor of Ekiti
state isn’t just outspoken. Fayose wouldn’t spare a minute to attack the
president at the slightest opportunity. Call him the most valuable actor in
Nigeria’s political stage, that wouldn’t be an overstatement. Like Girolamo
Savonarola, the fiery Florentine preacher, Fayose’s tongue bites like the edges
of a circumcision blade.
At a rally held in the Okesa area
of the state capital, he said God directed him to pick his deputy, Kolapo
Olusola, while he campaigned vigorously for him. Few hours to the election, he
took the battle to a spiritual level. With a bible in his hand, Fayose laid the
other hand on Eleka to receive power to succeed him.
Even though he fought a good
fight, as the APC won with a slim margin, Osokomole or Peter The Rock, as he is
fondly called, is the biggest loser. He was beaten in his stronghold and has
become vulnerable to his opponents.
LERE OLAYINKA
Aside being Fayose’s famed Man
Friday, Lere is the spokesperson of the Kolapo Olusola Campaign Organisation
(KOCO). As Fayose’s media aide, he projects his master’s thoughts as elaborate
as he can. Hence, nobody could have done a better image polishing for Olusola’s
campaign better than a “tested and trusted” mouthpiece.
For his ability, Fayose appointed
him the acting director of Ekiti State Broadcasting Service which was shut down
shut indefinitely over Fayose’s unauthorised declaration of the governorship
election results.
Olayinka also earned himself
enemies because of controversial utterances in the course of defending his
principal. At the last count, over four libel cases had been filed against him.
UCHE SECONDUS
In December 2017, Secondus
emerged chairman of PDP. This happened months after the party experienced
leadership tussle. He reached out to aggrieved members who contested the seat
with him to the delight of many. He had said he was working on a three-pronged
agenda to rebuild, reposition, and regain power for PDP.
The Ekiti election is the first
to be coordinated under him and the party lost it. This is not too good a
record for a man leading the party into the next general election, however, the
Osun governorship election is just around the corner. He has the opportunity to
prove a point.
KOLAPO OLUSOLA
Many thought the incumbent deputy
governor of the state was a shadow behind his principal but his admirers see
him as a man after Fayose’s heart.
The 49-year-old professor of
building, though a political neophyte, seemed to be absent at the fore while
Fayose took the wheels. He won in only Efon Alaye, Emure, Ikere and Ado-Ekiti.
PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)
The loss of this election has
further dealt a huge blow to the opposition party whose fortune has taken a
nosedive since it lost the presidency and some key states in the last general
election.
While it struggles to hold its
position as a strong opposition party keen to take over power in 2019, winning
Ekiti would have been a relief, perhaps strengthened the hopes of the party —
having lost Ondo two years ago. Moreover, for Fayose, chairman of its
governors’ forum whose guts alone amplifies opposition at its best, to lose
this election, it spells doom for a PDP that is trying to find its foot –
amidst the corruption trials of its prominent members.
With Ekiti out of the list, PDP
no longer has a viable presence in the south-west and that has created a huge
vacuum for the party. Most importantly, it leaves the party with a slim chance
at occupying the presidency come 2019.
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