16th October, 2018
Former Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has been sworn-in as the governor of Ekiti State.
Fayemi, who won the July 14 governorship election held in the state on the platform of All Progressives Congress was sworn-in on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti.
He defeated the then Deputy Governor of the state and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Professor Kolapo Olusola, and other candidates to emerge the winner of the election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared that Fayemi polled 197,459 votes, while, his closest rival, Olusola got 178,121 votes.
Punch reports that the 53-year-old governor is a native of Isan-Ekiti in Oye Local Government of Ekiti State.
TVC reports that Fayemi’s inauguration ceremony was attended by President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the federation, Boss Mustapha. Also, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief John Oyegun, and other top chieftains of the party were at the ceremony.
Also in attendance were the governors of Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode; his Oyo counterpart, Abiola Ajimobi, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Jigawa state governor, among others.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, thousands of residents of Ekiti and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had thronged the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion to witness the swearing-in of Fayemi and Chief Adebisi Egbeyemi as Governor and Deputy Governor of the state.
He was sworn in by the Chief Judge of Ekiti, Ayodeji Daramola.
The deputy governor, Adebisi Egbeyemi took oath of office at exactly noon, while Fayemi took his at 12:20 p.m., amid ovations from the crowd.
The 14,000-seater pavilion was already filled to capacity as early as 8 a.m. by residents and party loyalists from the 16 local government areas of the state.
The early morning rain, which many regarded as a sign of good omen for the new government, did not stop people from attending the inauguration, as many were seen trekking long distances to get to the venue.
The Chairman of the Tricycle Association of Nigeria, Ekiti chapter, Mr Akinola Talabi-Ifa, had earlier declared that passengers going for the inauguration would be conveyed free of charge throughout the state as part of the union’s contribution to success of the exercise.
Most markets, shops and public offices were shut as traders and workers all moved to the pavilion to witness the ceremony.
Aside from those inside the Pavilion, several others stayed outside as they could not gain entry to the pavilion.
In carnival-like manner, men and women in different attires bearing the inscription and portrait of the new governor, sang his praises while dancing and drumming.
Security in and around the venue was tight as men of the Nigerian Army, police, Customs, Civil Defence and many other security personnel searched persons going into the venue at virtually all gates.