by Azubuike Azikiwe

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has described as a ‘mystery’ the loss of incumbent governor of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi, to governor-elect, Ayo Fayose.

Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress party, lost the Ekiti governorship election of Saturday, 21 June to Fayose, who contested under the Peoples Democratic party.

Soyinka, who is usually outspoken in his beliefs, commented on the outcome of the Ekiti polls, on Sunday, 12 October, at the inauguration of the new Government House, “Ayoba Villa” in Ado Ekiti.

According to the Nobel laureate, “Somewhere, something went wrong and it has to be corrected. That is the message I have for all of you. Be patient but at the same time be watchful.”

“Many people within and outside Ekiti were mystified. There is a clarity in my mind. That clarity has been demonstrated today and has been manifested in the four years of Fayemi,” he added.

He also advised the people of the state to get past the mysterious outcome of the elections, and build on the foundation put in place by the outgoing governor.

He said, “My own message is that, put the mystery aside and the emotional attachment. Continue to build on the foundation that has been laid by him. The state has been resurrected in a way that all of us should be proud of. I’m glad that there is no sadness on the face of anybody. I’m happy I do not perceive any iota of regret on the face of anyone. That is the way it should be.”

Fayemi, while responding, stated that the legacy projects inaugurated in his last days in office was in service to the people of Ekiti, adding that it was done so that the incoming governor could build on them.

“For us, everything that has happened is about the service to our people. It is about putting our people forward. It is about making the fundamental differences in the lives of our people and making their lives more abundant. The Ekiti we are leaving is far better than the Ekiti we met. Those who are coming behind us can build on this in a sustainable manner,” Fayemi said.

He also went philosophical, saying that Nigerians were on a journey to get the best out of the nation.

“We are on a journey, we are not in a destination yet. That journey would have remarkable progress, undulating lines, we would go into valleys, we would face challenges, and the triumph of it is to see opportunities in those challenges and to keep moving on until a better and greater Nigeria of our dream comes to fruition in our country,” he added.

Kolapo Olapoju