Ekiti Decides: One Historical Record Gov. Fayemi Will Break If His Party Wins The Gov’ship Election

As people of Ekiti State go to poll to elect their new leader for another four years on Saturday, Nigerians are anxiously expecting either a repeat of history or breaking of record that had never been witnessed in the 24 years existence of the Land of Honour.

Since the rebirth of democracy in 1999, Ekiti has never been ruled by a governor or same party for a two straight term. It has been a case of interrupted tenure for all the Governors that have been privileged to govern the state for two terms.

Dr. Kayode Fayemi who is currently rounding off his second term did his first term between 2010 and 2014. He was installed by court judgement in October 2010 after his mandate was stolen by the PDP in 2007 general election. 

Then, Engr. Segun Oni was the beneficiary of that election which was later nullified by court judgement on the basis of fraudulent processes that marred the election.

After his first tenure, Fayemi who contested under the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria tried to seek Re-election for second term but he was roundly defeated by Ayo Fayose of the People’s Democratic Party.

Fayose who was impeached barely a year into his second term came back to contest against Fayemi and later defeated him.

After Fayose’s second tenure, his annointed candidate, Professor Olusola Eleka who was then a sitting deputy governor later lost to Fayemi who came back to run for his second term and won.

From this analysis, it is only Fayemi and Fayose that have been privileged to rule Ekiti for two terms but none of them has a straight eight years tenure. Their administrations have regularly witnessed an interruption after their first tenure.

In the same vein, no political party has ever stayed in office for two straight terms in the state. It has always been a case of political instability in Ekiti state.

As Fayemi and APC are working round the clock to ensure victory for their candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, history is also beckoning on the state. 

If Oyebanji eventually wins the election on Saturday, Fayemi will break the record of being the first governor to produce a successor in the state. Similarly, APC will be the first political party to remain in office for a two straight term in Ekiti state.

This is the record Nigerians and people of Ekiti should expect at the end of the governorship election on Saturday.