I won’t contest election result —Fayemi

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said that he will not challenge the result of the June 21 governorship election in the state.

Fayemi, who made the disclosure when he received the governor-elect, Mr. Ayo Fayose, in his office in Ado-Ekiti, said, “I will not challenge the result of the election because I am not desperate to remain in office. Election must not be seen as a do-or-die-affair.’’

He said Fayose’s victory has assisted in “strengthening and deepening’’ democracy, especially in Ekiti State and the country at large.

He added that “election by its nature generates tension and hot exchange of words, but to me, once the whole exercise is over, all those involved should take such with calmness and stop all acrimony.

“It is my belief that we must all start imbibing the attitude that will make us avoid activities that can threaten our peaceful co-existence. We must also avoid the bad loser syndrome. I believe we need to build this democracy to a mature end, rather than pull it down.”

Fayemi promised not to be distracted by the defeat, saying he would continue to work for the people of the state until October 15 when he would hand over to Fayose.

Both Fayemi and Fayose agreed to set up a committee to ensure a smooth transition of power on October 16, 2014.

He said there was nothing ‘’un-African or Un-Nigerian’’ in his congratulatory message to Fayose, saying that was what he should do as someone, who believed in democratic ethos.

Fayemi said, “They said my congratulatory message to the Governor-elect is un-African or un-Nigerian. I don’t think it was so because that was what I was expected to do as a democrat.

“As an elected officer, I have no choice than to respect the wishes of the people. Our democracy is fragile and we have to do whatever we can as leaders to strengthen and deepen it the more.

“Ekiti is also unique. We all have ties dated back to centuries, so we are not disagreeable in any way,” Fayemi said.

The governor said the political crisis between the supporters of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party had come to an end.

He said, “What caused those things was the fact that we were playing politics. All is power struggle. We wanted to take from the same basket. But today, we have taken it with equanimity.

“So, I congratulate the Governor-elect because what we are doing today is a lesson for us that in whatever we do as leaders, we have to consider the overall interest of Ekiti people.

“Today, Ekiti is victorious. We have shown the world that politics can be played with decorum and restraint. But I have to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people until October 16. So, we have to plead with our supporters to exercise restraint.”

Fayemi appealed to the governor-elect to advise his supporters to exercise restraint so that the love existing among political leaders in the state could be sustained.

Speaking earlier, Fayose said his coming to the governor was borne out of the genuine intention to promote love and unity among Ekiti leaders.

He praised Fayemi for conceding defeat to him, saying this statesmanship conduct would forever remain in history.