I Will Not Challenge My Defeat, Fayemi Tells APC Leaders

Apparently referring to leaders of the All progressive Congress, APC, who

might be warming up to challenge his defeat in court, out going governor
of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said he would not challenge the
result of the June 21 governorship election in the state.

Fayemi, who made the disclosure when he received the governor-elect, Mr
Ayo Fayose, in his office in Ado Ekiti, said “I will not challenge the
result of the election because I am not desperate to remain in office.

“Election must not be seen as a do or die affair.”

He said Fayose’s victory had assisted in “strengthen and deepening”
democracy, especially in Ekiti State and the country at large.

He said, “Election by its nature generate tension and hot exchange of
words, but to me, once the whole exercise is over, all those involved
should take such with calmness and stop all acrimonious.

“It is my belief that we must all start imbibing attitude that will make
us avoid activities that can threaten our peaceful co-existence. We must
also avoid the bad loser syndrome.

“I believe we need to build this democracy to a mature end, rather than
pull it down.”

Fayemi promised not to be distracted by the defeat, saying he would
continue to work for the people of the state until Oct. 15 when he would
hand over to Fayose.

Earlier, Fayose had commended the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by
Fayemi, describing his acceptance of defeat without question as “quite
un-African”.

Fayose called on Nigerian politicians to emulate the good virtues of Fayemi.

The duo later went into closed-door meeting.