BY GBENGA ARIYIBI & DAPO AKINREFON
DR. Kayode Fayemi was yesterday presented with the APC party flag for the forthcoming election with strong support from the top hierarchy of the party.

The flag was formally handed over to Fayemi at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium just as the governor who is seeking a second term, unfolded his manifesto with a pledge to rededicate himself to further development of the state.

The ceremony which commenced with a minute silence in memory of the victims of the Jos bombing was toned down in deference to the mood of the nation.

ayemi gets flag from Akande

Yesterday’s event was graced by the top chieftains of the party including the national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, erstwhile head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, members of the National Executive Committee, NEC of the party among many others.

Ekiti is moving forward

In his speech, Fayemi said although the state has witnessed a massive change in the last three and half years, he said he was motivated to present himself for re-election because of the need to build a society where all Ekiti people will be partakers of a collective prosperity.

The governor officially unveiled his manifesto for second term which was tagged “Roadmap to Rapid Economic Growth and Development” otherwise known as the Ekiti Agenda.

The agenda is made up of policy thrusts of his administration from 2014 to 2018 and beyond.

The APC standard- bearer stressed that he has kept faith with Ekiti values as the people of the state have kept faith with him, noting that “Ekiti is moving forward under his administration with the future of the state already assured.”

In addition, he said “I was raised to understand that the life well lived is a continuum of service; service to God and service to humanity. Indeed, my mentors and parents pressed upon me that service to God is demonstrated by serving others positively, impacting the people around us, and by demonstrating a fierce resolve to leave people better than they were when they met you. Leadership itself is merely the opportunity to serve and power is a God-given resource with which we are meant to change lives for the better. I went into politics because I believe that committed purpose-driven servant-leadership can provide people with the tools that will empower them control over their destinies”, he said.

We support Fayemi—Buhari: In his remarks, Alhaji Buhari urged the people of Ekiti state to cast their votes for Fayemi’s second term saying the governor has performed well. He said “I am truly impressed with the mobilization and the response, not only by Ekiti people, but people all over Nigeria. I congratulate the governor for his capacity to move and deliver because we have seen what he has done in the last three and the half years. I also thank the members Progressives Governors’ Forum for giving him the support he deserves and the leadership of the party. We are proud to have a competent person in the saddle. We pledge full support to the governor.”

Do not sell your votes —Tinubu

On his part, former governor of Lagos State! Asiwaju Tinubu appealed to Ekiti people not to sell their votes.

Tinubu said “APC is the cure of ineptitude, the cure of the security problem, the cure to poverty, the cure to unemployment. The party is the cure, Fayemi is the doctor. I do not have to sell Fayemi to you again. We thank all of you for your presence but your presence can only materialize in the sustenance of developmental programmes of this state and the south western states.”

He further enjoined the people of the state not to be intimidated by security personnel saying “Do not sell your votes, make sure on the day of the election, do not fear. We pay the salaries of the police and the army because we are their employers and they are supposed to protect us. Do not be afraid, demand your right because you may not have this opportunity again until after four years”.

Fayemi deserves honour—Okorocha: Speaking on behalf of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Governor Rochas Okoroacha of Imo State  said ”we are gathered here to give honour to who honour is due, we are gathered her today to celebrate excellent performance and vision of one of our own. The entire 16 governors of the APC are here to not only support but to endorse this great son of Ekiti State.”

Presenting Fayemi with the APC flag, interim national chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande commended Fayemi for being a good representative.

Akande said “the APC has tested Governor Kayode Fayemi and has found him worthy to be our candidate for the June 21 governorship elections. May God bless our aspirations.”

ROLL CALL

Dignitaries present at the event include ;former Head of State, Alhaji Muhammadu  Buhari, former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, interim national chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande and Chief Ogbonnaya Onu. Others are Governor Rochas Okoroacha (Imo), Governor Raji Fashola (Lagos), Governor Tanko Al-Makura (Nassarawa), Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano), Governor Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara), Governor Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Governor Adams Oshiomhole (Edo) and Governor Geidam (Yobe).

Also present were former governors of Ogun, Bayelsa and Ekiti States, Chief Segun Osoba, Chief Timipre Slyva, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Engineer Segun Oni, the deputy governors of Osun and Ekiti States, Mrs Titi Laoye Tomori and Professor Modupe Adelabu, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief Tom Ikimi, Sen Osita Izunaso, Sen Femi Ojudu, Sen Jide Omoworare, Sen Olorunnimbe Mamora, Aminu Masari, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje and Mr Rotimi Akeredolu.