At a time democracy is dangerously sliding into recession in Nigeria, we have found a formidable and courageous leader who has chosen to defend the tenets and institutions of democracy.
At a time there is a painful conspiracy of silence in Nigeria with the attendant fear of speaking against the emerging subversion of the institutions of democracy, Gov. Ayodele Fayose has chosen to stand with the people and defend the constitution.
We are quite aware that several individuals and civil organizations that should ordinarily speak up against injustice have been compromised, such that the frightening developments in the land no longer agitate them. But we must thank God that we have found a man in Fayose who has elected to stand in the gap for our nation in the face of threats and wickedness.
The just concluded local government election in Ekiti State is an attestation to the fact that Governor Ayodele Fayose is not just a democrat but a leader whose doggedness to defend the constitution, democracy and the resilient spirit of Nigeria has been cemented in our history.
We sincere commend Gov. Fayose for demonstrating statesmanship in organizing an open and transparent election which gave all the political parties and stakeholders more than enough time to participate and test their will. This is heartwarming and commendable by all standards.
As a group, we have maintained over the years that using caretaker committees to run the local government administration is an aberration and unconstitutional. We are therefore encouraged that Gov. Fayose has fulfilled his electoral promise to give Ekiti people the right of choice to choose popular leaders to lead them at the local level.
We have no doubt that this latest action by the Ekiti State Governor will spur other states to have a rethink and allow fair democratic process in the administration of local governments.
Ariyo-Dare Atoye
National Coordinator
Democratic Young Patriots
Ekiti LG Poll: Fayose rescuing our democracy
