AHEAD of June 21 Ekiti State gubernatorial election, the National leadership of the Peoples Democr
atic Party, PDP yesterday presented former governor of the state, Chief Ayo Fayose with the Certificate of Return as the party’s Standard bearer, just as he declared that twelve years after as governor, he has become wiser, more responsible and disciplined now.
Fayose also disclosed that he had told President Goodluck Jonathan never to consider him or any member of his family for federal appointment should he fail to wrest power from the incumbent governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the June 21 guber poll and remove him.
*Ayo Fayose
Fayose, who defeated thirteen other aspirants last Saturday to emerge the PDP flag-bearer, noted that he is optimstic he would defeat Fayemi because he knew how he became the state governor in the first place, adding, “I won’t look for government appointment because if they appoint you today, you may be removed tomorrow.
I won’t ask the Federal Government for appointment if I fail to win this election. Let the Federal Government not consider me or any member of my family if I fail to send Fayemi packing. I’m sending Fayemi back to where he came from and we shall take over the Government House.”
Fayose also appealed to all he might have wronged in the past to find a place in their hearts to forgive him even as he assured them that he had learnt his lessons having gone into political hibernation for 12 years.
He pleaded with the other 13 aspirants who contested with him for the governorship ticket to put whatever grievance they have behind and join hands with him to ensure that PDP wins the state.
According to him, there was the need for reconciliation, even as he promised that he will do their bidding and that he only needed the governorship and will not contend for other positions.
“The way forward is that other aspirants should support me and work with me. It is their right to be angry and if I had lost, I will also be angry because is not easy to lose N11 million,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Ahmadu Adamu Mua’zu, while handing over the Certificate of Return to Fayose, reminded him of the need to share positions among loyal party members to ensure equity and justice and cautioned aspirants on the platform of the party to work with the people at the grass root for their electoral victories instead of putting their hopes in their political god-fathers.
Mu’azu assured that his leadership would ensure reconciliation of the aggrieved members just as he expressed optimism that the PDP would take over Ekiti Government House after the June 12 governorship election, adding that there was no godfatherism in PDP.
