The victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the Ekiti State Governorship election, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has been described as the triumph of 'will, perseverance and determination' over mediocrity.
This is just as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike have been admonished to learn from Ekiti and allow popular mandate take root in the 2019 general elections.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside stated this in Port Harcourt while reacting to the victory of the APC in Ekiti State.
He specifically commended the people of Ekiti State, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a successful election, pointing out that it has proven that Nigerians can freely elect their leaders in a peaceful atmosphere.
"The people of Ekiti disappointed those who had predicted violence and trouble. They rose in unity to freely elect Dr Kayode Fayemi and the APC. This is a sure sign that Nigerians are desirous of credible processes in electing their leaders.
"Commendation must also go to INEC and the security agencies who both rose to the occasion to ensure that the will of the people prevailed," he stated.
Peterside, who was the 2015 governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers State, called on Dr Kayode Fayemi to be magnanimous in victory and ensure progressive development of Ekiti State
The NIMASA boss while admonishing Governor Nyesom Wike to refrain from heating up the state unnecessarily, said Rivers people will speak with one voice in 2019.
"I hope Governor Wike has seen how closely fought the election was in Ekiti. I hope he will respect himself and allow the will of Rivers people to speak. The days of concocted and cooked results are over. Every vote will count in 2019.
"I want to assure Rivers people that 2019 will witness a free and fair election in the state. Nobody will intimidate anybody and votes will count," he stressed.
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