...urges sustained peace in Isan-Ekiti

...says Friday incident unconnected to politics

...APC positioned for victory - Senator Arise

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Saturday commended the smooth conduct of the ongoing governorship election in the state, describing the accreditation and voting process as seamless and efficient.

• ...urges sustained peace in Isan-Ekiti
• ...says Friday incident unconnected to politics
• ...APC positioned for victory - Senator Arise

Fayemi, who cast his vote alongside his wife, Bisi Fayemi, at polling unit 09, Ward 11, in Isan-Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area, praised officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for ensuring a hitch-free exercise.

Speaking with journalists shortly after voting, the former governor said the process reflected significant improvement in election administration and expressed satisfaction with the conduct of electoral officials at his polling unit.

"It was a smooth experience. Everything went reasonably well. The accreditation process was fast and seamless, and I could see that it was the same for my wife," he said.

"I want to commend the team working for INEC on this occasion. It's not always been the case that things would be this smooth. So, at least on the technical side, it would appear to have been a process that was seamless."

Fayemi also addressed concerns arising from a security incident that occurred in the community on Friday night which resulted in fatality and burning of a police station, stressing that the altercation was unrelated to politics or the governorship election.

According to him, despite the unfortunate development, residents had remained peaceful and the election process proceeded in an orderly manner.

"Despite the unfortunate incident that we experienced here last night, which had nothing to do with politics, the process has been well ordered," he stated.

The former governor explained that the incident involved two individuals and should not be misconstrued as politically motivated, noting that Isan-Ekiti has remained one of the state's most peaceful communities.

According to him, "This is ordinarily a peaceful community. We have a lot at stake because their son was the immediate past governor of the state, and we played our own role in putting the current governor in office. So we are critical stakeholders, but we are also a peaceful community.

"What happened was unfortunate. It was an altercation between two individuals that had absolutely nothing to do with politics or the election."

Fayemi disclosed that security authorities had assured residents that a thorough investigation was underway and that those responsible would be held accountable.

"I have been reasonably assured by the police authority, right up to the level of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, that serious steps are being taken to investigate the matter and ensure that whoever is culpable is brought to book," he said.

He emphasised the need to preserve peace in the community and urged residents not to allow the incident to disrupt the prevailing calm.

"We don't want anything of the sort to lead to a degeneration of peace in our community. We will continue to look at it in a manner that complete and wholesome peace will return to the community."

Meanwhile, former Senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Senator Ayo Arise, also expressed confidence in the prospects of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election.

Arise, who voted in Oye-Ekiti, described the exercise as peaceful, smooth and efficient, although he observed that voter turnout at his polling unit appeared average compared to previous elections.

Despite the turnout, the former lawmaker maintained that the APC remained firmly positioned for victory, insisting that there was no serious challenge to the party's dominance in the state.