President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated the winner of the Ekiti State elections, Kayode Fayemi on a ‘hard fought’ victory.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revealed that Fayemi won 12 local governments out of 16 to emerge as the victor.
In a statement by the President, he commended the winner, advised him to be magnanimous in victory and also advised that the losers be gracious in defeat.
The statement read in part: “President Buhari urges the governor-elect and APC members to be magnanimous in victory as the incoming administration prepares to unfold a new lease of life for the people of Ekiti State through purposeful and responsible governance.
“He commends the people of the State for their matured and peaceful conduct as they made their choice using the power of the ballot.
“President Buhari also lauds the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for adequate preparations and displaying impartiality throughout the process.
“He applauds the security agencies for creating the right atmosphere for the relatively peaceful conduct of the polls and urges them to sustain the peace.
“He also commends local and international observers and monitors for their vigilance and contributions towards the relatively hitch-free exercise.
“The President urges the losers to be gallant in conceding defeat and use constitutional means to settle whatever grievances they may have rather than resort to self-help.
“President Buhari appeals to all stakeholders in Ekiti State to work towards a successful transition to a new administration in the higher interest of not only the State but the entire nation and its fledgling democratic experience.
“In all this, the people of Ekiti State have spoken loud and clear, and democracy has won again,” the President noted.
The elections which were held yesterday finished with APC Governorship candidate Kayode Fayemi with a total of 197,459 votes while PDP’s Olusola Eleka had 178,121.