Photos have surfaced on social media showing the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose and his Deputy Olusola Elekha stepping into the residence of All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu a few hours ago.
Several pundits wonder maybe this is another defection move we’re about to witness in regard to the political atmosphere prevalent in the country.
Ayodele Fayose’s Deputy, Elekha was defeated at the recently concluded Ekiti Governorship election by the APC candidate former minister Kayode Fayemi.
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Fayose had suffered alleged harassment and maltreatment at the hands of men of the Nigeria Police in the buildup to the election.
The federal government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deployed 30,000 policemen for the exercise that was marred by widespread vote buying as well as several pockets of violence.
Fayose’s security operatives were withdrawn and the police laid a siege on the Ekiti State Government house and dispersed PDP supporters in the state Capital Ado- Ekiti who had gathered for a victory walk two days to the commencement of the election.
Although both the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC deny it; multiple witnesses report that the major parties in the election paid as low as $12 dollars per vote according to an expose documentary carried out by the BBC.
Other witnesses also reported that while the PDP had paid N4000 for one vote, the APC paid N5000 in the full glare of security operatives.
Some others also view the visit as connected with the recent spate of defections to the opposition PDP from the ruling APC which many have seen as an irreparable crack within the ruling party; a crack the opposition PDP are apparently taking full advantage of.
While APC leaders seem to bury their heads in the sand regarding the defections saying it doesn’t affect the chances of victory for the party at the 2019 general elections, opposition PDP leaders are gearing up for a big showdown as alliances and agreements continue to be made to wrest power from incumbent President Buhari.