Ekiti-Kete Gurber Election; Any Surprise Expected?

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, Politics Friday, June 20th, 2014

By Tajudeen Balogun

It is barely 24 hours to the much hyped Ekiti Gubernatorial election, South-Western Nigeria. An encounter with some folks last weekend, gave confirmation that the incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi should begin to prepare for his exit from Ado-Ekiti State house. They in effect predicted victory for the state ex-Governor and PDP candidate, Mr. Ayodele Fayose. In another encounter, I have gathered that the ruling party and President Goodluck Jonathan were leaving nothing to chances as the President has allegedly released sum of N500 Million to ensure PDP is declared the winner, it does not matter how the task is accomplished.

The election is like a war. Thousands of police and military men have been stationed in and around the state, while not less than three police ASP have been posted, each manning the three senatorial districts of the state. Members of the strong contending parties – APC and PDP are arriving Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti capital in droves, purportedly staying back to ensure the outcome of the exercise favours their party. The desperation by PDP to win at all cost played out on Thursday when three Governors – Rotimi Amechi (Rivers), Adams Oshiomole (Edo) and Rabiu Kwakwaso were either disallowed by the Military and security operatives to take off from their states or stopped from gaining entrance into Ado-Ekiti for the grand rally of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s grand rally.

Historically, propaganda with wired media hypes have been deployed by the opposition to scare and deceive the public hence, creating impression of winning elections. Examples were re-elections of Governors Oshiomole and Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state few years back. Both won their re-elections with good margins despite deceits and desperation of the oppositions. The PDD is currently engaging itself and the small south-Western state in somewhat ‘auto-pilot’ ride, just like others have done in the past.

So on Saturday, June 21, when the “Ekiti Ketes” troop out to elect the new Governor, would the result turn out to be like similar in the history or there will be surprise? No one should be in haste to preempt. The Ekiti, Nigeria and the world will witness how things play out this weekend.