Fayose says Buhari is day dreaming if he thinks Fayemi can win Ekiti governorship elections

EKITI State governor Ayo Fayose has scoffed at suggestions that his predecessor Dr Kayode Fayemi will win the gubernatorial elections due to take place later this year after emerging as the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Over the weekend, Dr Fayemi, Nigeria's solid minerals minister, won the APC primaries and will be the party's candidates for the polls due to take place on July 14. In 2014, Governor Fayose defeated the then incumbent governor Dr Fayemi, who is now hoping to comeback when the governorship elections take place this year.

Governor Fayose's deputy Professor Kolapo Olusola, has been picked as the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, with former local government chairman Deji Ogunsakin named as his running mate. They will be up against Dr Fayemi, who is expected to name his own running mate later this week.

Already, President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Dr Fayemi over his securing of the APC ticket, pointing out that it was because of his good track record when he was governor. According to the president, who praised the way in which the primaries were conducted, said this should enable the APC to reclaim Ekiti State.

Presidential spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu said: “President Buhari believes that Fayemi’s track record in the state as a reformist, with a penchant for building educational infrastructure and promoting the welfare of the ordinary people, will bolster his chances at the forthcoming polls. The president notes that the successful primaries in the state, with more than 30 aspirants, further validates the credentials of the APC on internal democracy and its preparedness to take the country to another level of development.”

However, Governor Fayose described the president’s commendation as day-dreaming. he urged the president to reserve a position for Dr Fayemi on the Federal Executive Council (FEC)  rather than congratulate him as his ambition to become Ekiti State governor was dead on arrival.

Governor Fayose said: “President Buhari congratulating Fayemi on his emergence as APC candidate is like day-dreaming as he will surfer another major defeat on July 14. Rather than congratulating him, the president should reserve his seat at the FEC because this desperation to be Ekiti governor is dead on arrival.”