Ekiti Poll: Support me by voting for Kayode Fayemi, don’t waste your votes on PDP, Buhari tells Ekiti traditional rulers, electorate on visit

*Tells Ekiti people to support by voting for Fayemi

*Uses his achievements in Ekiti to campaign for support

*Fayemi will right Fayose’s wrongs – Oshiomhole

*Tinubu accuses PDP of destroying Nigeria’s economy

…Sen. Raji-Rasaki, other PDP members defects to APC on Buhari’s visit

By Kemi Kasumu, General Editor

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday attacked Governor Ayo Fayose, saying his Stomach Infrastructure policy was deceitful and also called on the people of the state that they should not waste their votes on People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

President Buhari stated this in Ado-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at the grand finale of rally held by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Dr Kayode Fayemi, the party’s candidate Saturday, July 14, 2018 governorship election in the state.

The President, who was joined by over 12 governors from the APC-controlled states, also accused his political adversaries of taking advantage of the farmers- herdsmen crisis to blackmail him.

The President, who also earlier before the rally had addressed Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers at the Palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti where he appealed to them to support him by voting for Fayemi, said despite that Ekiti belongs to the opposition party, his government has not denied the state currently governed by PDP’s Ayodele Fayose of any federal benefit since he mounted the saddle of governance.

He added that his government has been working assiduously to stop the rampaging herdsmen and that nothing will be spared to achieve the onerous task of uniting Nigeria and make the citizens enjoy safety.

He said: “I want you to align Ekiti with the Change Agenda of our government. Since I came on board, I have initiated 13 federal road projects in Ekiti. We have completed the failed portions of the Ifaki-Ikole–Omuo Road, Ifaki-Ido Road, Efon-Iwaraja Road, while Ado-Ifaki road has been re-awarded.

“The APC government had also awarded the construction of a Federal Secretariat in Ekiti State. We have also extended the National Housing Scheme to Ekiti for the state not to be neglected in the scheme of things.

“Under my government, Ekiti has enjoyed unprecedented federal appointments while people have also benefited from N-Power and intervention funds like bailouts funds despite belonging to opposition.

“So, don’t allow yourselves to be insulted by stomach infrastructure, vote APC on Saturday so that you can grow your own better infrastructures.

“Ekiti people must do the right thing by voting rightly, so that you can reclaim your land and restore you values.

“I hereby present to you Dr. Fayemi, a former Minister of Mines and Steel Development. As A Minister, Dr.  Fayemi recorded a lot of laudable achievements. So, don’t waste your votes, vote APC, vote Fayemi,” Buhari stated.

On the killings across the country, which have been traced to herdsmen, Buhari said: “Some are displaying mischievous attitudes by linking me to killer herdsmen just because I am a Fulani man. This is a cheap blackmail that was far from the truth,” he said.

Also speaking, the National leader of the party, Tinubu said the massive looting of the treasury brought about the recession that hit the economy under Buhari.

He urged the people not to be intimidated by the PDP, saying they should come out on the day of election and vote for APC.

Tinubu said: “A vote for Fayemi is a vote for development and the future of Ekiti. He served as a Minister and President didn’t remove him. He was not sacked, but he only came to Ekiti to help you.

“On Saturday, you are protected. Don’t be intimidated by anybody, this is not like 2014. This time, it is going to be one man, one vote, because Governor Fayose has been making noise that the election has been rigged. APC is a decent party, it won’t rig election they way they did.”

Governor Ayo Fayose, who attempted to stop President Buhari’s visit to the state, had on Monday evening sent inciting messages to the residents directing them not to come out and welcome him saying: “They should stay at home, so that you will not get killed, I don’t want to bury anybody, you know that I love you. They have sent letter to me to go and welcome him but I cannot welcome him, I will be in Government House.

“So I want all the civil servants to stay at home tomorrow, let all markets be closed, I am directing that all the commercial motorcyclists, taxi drivers and buses should not work, you should not convey them to anywhere. I want you all to bring your vehicles and okadas to Government House and eat cow with me in Government House.”

But at the mega rally Tuesday, the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, urged Ekiti electorate of Ekiti to vote Fayemi to bail the state out of poverty being experienced under Governor Ayodele Fayose’s government.

The former Edo State Governor, added that it was disheartening for Governor Fayose to have allegedly pauperized the people, urging the electorate to appropriate their votes wisely for them to get rid of an irresponsible government.

“Fayemi has promised that he will pay the arrears of salaries if elected.  He won’t sack anybody, because he is different from Fayose who got N20 billion bailout and pocketed it, rather than paying salaries.

“Fayose, today has offended everybody, He has abused everybody. He even gave unlawful orders that shops should be closed down today just to show his hatred for President Buhari. He even manipulated the leaders of commercial drivers not to go to work today just to create obstacles.

“But I want to commend you for defying all these obstacles. Let me also say that any worker or Vice Chancellor or Provost that was victimized by Fayose will be promoted by Fayemi,” he assured.

He said the PDP has entered into merger deal with other ‘mushroom’ parties to unseat Buhari, saying their gang up against the present government shall go to nullity, describing APC as a performing and solid party.

Speaking in turns, Governors Bagudu, Aregbesola, Amosun, Yari, Ajimobi, Bello and Akeredolu, urged the people to vote APC and join the progressive fold to escape the vicious circle level of poverty.

Speaking on behalf of the ministers, Ngige said the anti-people policies initiated by Fayose leading to non- payment of salaries have been affecting Igbo traders adversely.

He urged Igbo traders in the state to put their destinies in their own hands by rejecting PDP in the poll.

Fayemi, in his brief comment said candidates of 15 political parties have endorsed him for the Saturday’s contest based on his track records.

“Saturday’s election will be credible, it will be fair, transparent and credible. Nobody will rig because we are contesting based on our track records, which the people said were excellent.

“My concerned in this election is to chase away looters and those pauperizing our people. President Buhari has instructed me to go back and bring transformation back to Ekiti and the task shall be achieved.”

The Senator representing Ekiti Central, Mrs Fatima Raji Rasaki, a serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon Olamide Oni and other PDP bigwigs also joined the ruling APC.

Dignitaries at the event are: Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Bindow Jibrilla (Adamawa), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Edo Deputy Governor, Hon. Philip Shuaib, Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Yahaya Bello(Kogi).

Others include: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Ministers of Labour, Chief Chris Ngige, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs, Abike Dabiri, former Governors Niyi Adebayo, Segun Osoba, Segun Oni, Chief Bisi Akande, among others.