Fayose weeps as he leave Ado Ekiti and heads to Abuja where PDP honour him with send off banquet

EKITI State governor Ayo Fayose broke down in tears and wept as he left Government house in Ado Ekiti for the last time yesterday after attending a thanksgiving service and departed for Abuja where he was feted by leaders of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

At 12 noon today, Governor Fayose's tenure will officially end as his successor Dr Kayode Fayemi will be sworn in as the new Ekiti State governor. A series of events were organised in Ado Ekiti to mark the end of Governor Fayose's tenure, including him going on a walkabout carrying a placard thanking the people of the state for their support.

Yesterday, Governor Fayose left Ado Ekiti and drove to Akure airport from where he caught a flight to Abuja where PDP leaders organised a banquet for him at Sheraton Hotel to send him off. Among those present were speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Yakubu Dogara, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, party chairman Uche Secondus, Femi Fani-Kayode and Senator Dino Melaye.

Tomorrow, Governor Fayose will head to the offices of the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission (EFCC), where he will answer questions about his stewardship. As governor Fayose left Ado Ekiti yesterday, his wife, Feyisetan, who sensed that her husband was weeping, moved closer to him and consoled him.

After being consoled by his wife, Governor Fayose bade farewell to a few aides and other admirers who were watching the drama. In his final speech before leaving Ekiti State, Governor Fayose’s voice was laden with emotion as he addressed the congregation.

Governor Fayose said: “I’m contented, I’m happy and I say thank you. Don’t be disparaged, don’t worry about me, I will come back. I will rise to the glory of God. I have enjoyed uncommon grace; I will never complain but thank God.”

In his sermon titled Affliction shall not rise the second time, the chaplain of Government House, Pastor Seyi Olusola, said a man must be ready to face affliction if he must rise. He added: “Don’t allow anything to trouble your mind, always come to God.”

The thanksgiving service was attended by traditional rulers led by the chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Obas and Oloye of Oye-Ekiti Oba Oluwole Ademolaju and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe. Ougoing deputy governor Professor Kolapo Olusola and his wife Janet, the chief of staff, Dipo Anisulowo, head of service Dr Gbenga Faseluka and the secretary to the state government Modupe Alade also attended the service.