Ekiti:
When Incumbency Factor Fails
The Ekiti governorship election has come and gone, and a big lesson stares us in the face: gone are those days when elections are won in the South west zone based on "Yoruba party," crass tribalism, propaganda, media blitz and the cover of Awolowo's name. It is now the time for performance and issues.
Instead of delivering the dividends of democracy to his people over the last three years, Governor Kayode Fayemi chose to speak grammar in the face of encroaching poverty in Ekiti State which Governor Ayo Fayose exploited handsomely during the campaigns.
And when it was the people's time to decide their fate, they of course sacked an incompetent government led by Fayemi but I'm not really sure if Fayose would justify the second chance his people have graciously given him if is antecedent is anything to go by... Well, time would tell.
But Governor Fayemi can now go back to his private life, teach and continue expanding the frontiers of intellectualism. After all, he once naively boosted that he has a "second address" and job and would not regret it should the people reject him at the polls.
However, a clear message has been sent to the leadership of APC in the South west: it is either your governors perform now or be sacked at the polls; no more undue advantage at the polls because of "Yoruba party" and "Awoism" factors.
In a way, the mauling of Governor Fayemi at the polls deserve to be thoroughly studied and referenced in the political history and science of Nigeria for the simply fact that no incumbent had ever been so thrashed with such a wide margin at the polls in all LGAs.
In fact, the election result of Governor Fayemi's home LGA gives a perfect example and explanation of what a failed governor is all about; little wonder poverty and inequality skyrocketed in Ekiti under his watch.
Finally, congratulations to the people of Ekiti state for a peaceful election, congratulations to Governor Fayose: this is the time to provide leadership and deliver the dividends of democracy to your people. And congratulations to our security agencies, INEC and President Goodluck Jonathan for a peaceful outing in Ekiti State.
