The recent election in Ekiti State that proved wrong many political scientists, social analysts and bookmakers, produced two champions. Unlike the usual elections which usually evokes congratulatory messages for the winners on one hand and condemnations from the losers on the other; the two major actors, Dr Kayode Fayemi, the loser and Ayodele Fayose, the winner received accolades for different reasons.
While Nigerians congratulated Fayose for doing a good job via thorough campaign, closeness to the people, and an uncommon show of understanding of their needs and wants, Fayemi, rather than getting booed for losing the election, instantly became a hero of some sort, because of his unusual display of magnanimity and humility in defeat.
In the historic speech that followed the INEC’s declaration of Fayose as Governor-elect, Fayemi declared:  ‘’If indeed this is the will of the Ekiti “People, I stand in deference to your will. If the result of the elections is an expression of the voice of our people, we must all heed your voice. I have just spoken with my brother, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, congratulating him on his victory. In a few hours from now, I would be meeting the Governor-elect to discuss the future of our dear state and how we would work together to institute a smooth transition programme….
‘’We campaigned, we canvassed and we traversed the nooks and crannies of this State. Our performance and achievements in office will remain the backdrop against which the next government and indeed future governments will be assessed. We are proud that with the support of Ekiti people, we have raised the bar of excellence in governance. In all, we gave our best, for conscience and for posterity….’’
Many were taken aback with this rare display of excellent gentlemanliness despite the militarisation and allegations of arrest of APC supporters that preceded the election.
To some, Fayemi is a perfect gentleman, an exemplary leader, who didn’t sound like a typical Nigerian politician.
A friend on the facebook declared: I really commend him. His acceptance speech was a pleasant surprise. It’s good to know that not all Nigerian politicians are thugs. Kudos to him, not the party!
Another friend captured it like this: He took everyone by surprise. Even Fayose himself was shocked…and humbled. He is a real gentleman…and hopefully the template for another generation of politicians.
A friend who was extremely pleased with this gesture wrote: “This is the beginning of good things to happen in our country, Nigeria. The spirit of good sportsmanship exhibited by His Excellency, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, should be emulated by politicians. There is no way Ekiti State would not develop and progress. May the Almighty God continue to bless Fayemi for our country? Amen.”
And listen, this one who could not hide his feelings: “Wow! I am really impressed with an act of humility and a sense of purpose to move the state forward. Fayemi have proven beyond every shadow of doubt that he is a real sportsman to have openly conceded defeat without rancor and bitterness… this is political practice at its best…politics with principle. So, on this ground, I recommend him for a bigger assignment at the federal level…..”
But beyond congratulatory messages, I do not think Fayemi should be let off the hook without asking questions on why he lost Ekiti State despite his likeable nature, his exemplary manner, and his good programmes!
This is the time the main opposition party is waxing stronger, because of sizeable number of states under its control and losing Ekiti at this critical period does not offer fair competitive politics or politicking to Nigeria and the Nigerian people.
I love Fayemi with passion, a complete gentleman, an acclaimed academic. Going by the information at my disposal, I ordinarily would not choose a Fayose at the expense of Fayemi. But should we give him kudos for accepting defeat and also grant him a pat on the shoulder for losing the enviable state of Ekiti to the PDP. That is a big disappointment to those clamoring for true democracy with a vibrant opposition that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the ruling party in Nigeria.
What an administrator shall we call a governor who cannot deliver his state, even as an incumbent? No doubt, his magnanimity in defeat and his humility in accepting being conquered is golden, enviable and commendable, but the big questions that must be answered is: what went wrong?
With all Fayemi’s ‘good’ programmes, why did the highly enlightened people of Ekiti decide to dump a Fayemi for an ousted governor like Fayose? If we are not alleging rigging, if the election is a true reflection of   the people’s wish, If Ekiti people were neither blindfolded nor cajoled into voting for Fayose, if Fayemi has indeed had excellent working relationship with the legislative arm, then somebody within the APC in Ekiti must be held responsible for the defeat, and the Governor is the number one citizen in both the State and in the party.
To me, Fayemi is neither a true politician nor a good administrator. He is though a gentleman and a statesman. If he is truly a good administrator and an astute politician who understands the grassroots and who knows his peoples’ wants and needs, he wouldn’t have been voted out. It simply means he had been running elitist government and not the type that caters for the masses and their needs.
We all know it is the masses that vote, elites hardly do, particularly in a highly militarised environment like that of Ekiti. It is a big lesson for Ajimobi of Oyo with his arrogant attitude and Fashola of Lagos with his materialist, capitalist policies that only impoverish the poor and further enrich the wealthy.
A governor will not just be a ‘good’ administrator just because he directs well when his policies are not people oriented. You cannot attempt to build a Dubai in Lagos or Ekiti when people go hungry.
You cannot claim to be erecting structures that will secure people’s future with their livelihood not secured and present survival not guaranteed. After all, government is about people, it is all about ensuring their happiness.
One group of people who voted against Fayemi are the civil servants, just as it happened to Bisi Akande of Osun State then. For instance, in a typical civil servants state like Ekiti, Fayemi had a running battle with the teachers until few weeks to the election, when the crisis was papered over. How can you demolish structures in the rural communities like Ekiti and be demanding for Certificates of Occupancy before compensation, this is what Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State did not do.
Another group of electorate who voted out the incumbent were the students who constitute approximately forty percent of voters. They did so because of the increment in school fees that is close to what is presently obtainable in LASU.
Commenting about the election, a young girl who is a student of Ekiti State University said that students voted for Fayose, or is it against Fayemi because of increase in school fees. School fee is currently one hundred and sixty five thousand per annum and it was already being rumored that the fee will rise to two hundred thousand if Fayemi wins again.
A major trade of the Ekiti people is education where many households boast of having produced a PhD holder or a professor. How then would it be easy for an average teacher of poor rural dweller in Ekiti to sustain two or three children in the university?
All these are not to diminish Fayemi’s achievements, the reality is just that, if you install structures and people suffer, then you have not performed. Government, first and foremost, is all about people’s welfare and happiness.
Before now, Fashola was a model, with other governors being called upon to copy his policies and borrow a leaf from his administrative style and programmes; but today he has become a spoiler to APC’s campaign in many states.
Issues like LASTMA untamable wickedness, LASAA and LASU’s inconceivable fees, his terrible relationship with teachers and civil servants, particularly in the areas of remunerations, promotion and benefits as well as his capitalist policies on tax such as: double taxations and skyrocket fines are used to discourage people from voting for APC in other states.
People have become wiser and if nothing is done to this trend they may not hesitate to go the way of Ekiti, particularly in Lagos and Oyo.
For instance, APC in Lagos needs to realize and understand that anti-masses, anti-civil servants, anti-youth and anti-LASUites policies might lead to a repeat of what happened in Ekiti. The era of divide and rule where union leaders are settled to scuttle collective struggle and agitation of the masses may have been over.
Who then is this man called Fayose. Why and how did he spring that kind of surprise?
Fayose declared in his congratulatory speech: ‘’Indeed a new sociology of the Ekiti people may have evolved. However, the task of understanding how the outcome of this election has defined us as a people will be that of scholars.’’
Sociologically speaking, the electorate can either vote for a candidate or vote against a candidate. In Ekiti, they simply voted for Fayose and not necessarily voted against against Fayemi. Fayemi actually rode on the popularity of Fayose as well as his closeness to the grassroots to become the Governor. When PDP would not give him the governorship ticket, Fayose went from community to community to campaign for Fayemi, promising the people that Fayemi had his blessing. Similarly, when APC, characteristically, will also not allow free and fair primaries and PDP was ready to offer Fayose the governorship ticket, he went for it headlong.
Have we all forgotten how Opeyemi Bamidele left APC to contest under the banner of the Labour Party because APC leadership anointed Fayemi without due process? It was the same APC votes that were shared with the Labour Party. We shouldn’t forget too quickly that Fayose pursued populist policies and programmes while in government. He was very popular with his people as he was fondly called ‘’action governor’’.
Fayose would withdraw a contract from an influential Oba for non performance and re-award it to a commoner! He was impeached not because he offended the masses, but because he stepped on toes of the power that be in Abuja and the king makers of Ekiti.

•Salaam, Voice of Nigeria, Lagos

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