Fayose says he will not go with a whimper promising to complete all projects before leaving

EKITI State's Governor Ayo Fayose  has reassured the people of the state that he will not sneak out of office quietly and will complete all pending projects before his tenure expires on October 16.

Following the July 14 governorship elections in Ekiti State, former solid minerals minister Dr Kayode Fayemi was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) with 197,459 votes. He beat Governor Fayose's deputy and candidate Professor Kolapo Olusola Eleka, who stood on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who only secured 178,121 secured votes.

Over the last three years, Governor Fayose has become the de-facto leader of the opposition, being a thorn in the side of the flesh of the APC government of President Buhari. Since the elections, however, he has gone silent and has topped commenting on national issues, prompting suggestions that he will leave office with a whimper and probably sneak outside the country after handing over.

However, speaking yesterday at the Udiroko festival, Governor Fayose dispelled such suggestions, pointing out that he will complete many of his pending projects, particularly the multi-billion naira ultra-modern market nearing completion in the capital Ado Ekiti. He assured local residents that the over 600 traders, who were displaced when the old market was demolished, would be first considered in sharing the new shops.

Hundreds of well-wishers, hailed Governor Fayose yesterday as he made his entry into the annual Udiroko festival being celebrated by the Ewi of Ado Ekiti Oba Aladesanmi Adejugbe. While addressing the teeming indigenes at the Udiroko festival that took place inside the amphitheatre in the Ewi’s palace, Governor Fayose said he appreciated the people of Ado Ekiti in particular for solidly supporting his government.

Governor Fayose said: “In and out of office we will continue to celebrate you. I appreciate all of you Ado Ekiti indigenes and thank you immensely for your support.

“We appreciate our own priceless Afe Babalola, you are not just a value added citizen, you are the value itself and you are a valuable citizen of Ado Ekiti. Anyone who comes to this palace of the Ewi will remember me as the governor who built this amphitheatre, I told you that I will perform and you have seen my performance. I will ensure that all those who were displaced when we demolished the old market are first considered in sharing the shops in the new ultra modern market which we will complete in a few days."

Lauding Governor Fayose for the developmental strides he gave to the capital city, the Ewi said generations yet unborn will appreciate what he did for Ado Ekiti. According to Oba Adejugbe, Governor Fayose has demonstrated consistency as he promised to turn around Ado Ekiti and he did, making it a befitting state capital.