EKITI 2018 UPDATE: President Buhari congratulates Dr. Kayode Fayemi as INEC declares him winner over Eleka in Ekiti governorship election (SEE TOTAL RESULTS)

The battles for the soul of Ekiti State has come and gone as INEC declared Dr. Kayode Fayemi winner over Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka and 30 others in the just concluded keenly contested election in the state.

He was victorious in 11 out of the 16 local government areas of the state, polling 197,459 votes, and edging out his closest rival Olusola who got 178,121 votes by 19,338 votes.

Based on the votes secured, INEC’s Chief Returning Officer for the election, Professor Idowu Olayinka, named Fayemi the winner.

Professor Olayinka declared “that John Olukayode Fayemi of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected”.

BREAKING: Fayemi wins Ekiti gubernatorial election

The President on Sunday commended the APC and its supporters for winning the just concluded Ekiti governorship election.

The spokesman to the President, Femi Adesina took to his social media page to convey the President’s felicitation to Mr. Fayemi.

He praised “the people of the State for their matured and peaceful conduct as they made their choice using the power of the ballot”.

“In all this, the people of Ekiti State have spoken loud and clear, and democracy has won again,”.

He also applauded the local and international observers and monitors for their vigilance and contributions towards the relatively hitch-free exercise but appealed to “all stakeholders in Ekiti State to work towards a successful transition to a new administration in the higher interest of not only the State but the entire nation and its fledgling democratic experience”.

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He, therefore, urged the losers to be gallant in conceding defeat and use constitutional means to settle whatever grievances they may have rather than resort to self-help.

The President called on the governor-elect and APC members to be magnanimous in victory as the incoming administration prepares to unfold a new lease of life for the people of Ekiti State through purposeful and responsible governance.

Meanwhile, the victory of Dr. Fayemi signified good beginning for the new National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. This victory in Ekiti for Dr. Fayemi is a good omen for the former governor of Edo State.

www.sojworld.com © July 15, 2018