The South West zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it would not accept any attempt by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government and security agencies to victimise outgoing Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose at the expiration of his tenure.
This is just as the party also condemned alleged partisanship of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
These were disclosed in a communique issued at the end of a stakeholders meeting of South West PDP held in the Oyo State capital, Ibadan on Monday.
Attendees included ex-National Vice Chairman (South-west), Chief Olabode George; the National Vice Chairman (South-west), Eddy Olafeso; Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Olusola Eleka; Deputy Publicity Secretary of the party, Diran Odeyemi; and the Zonal Secretary, Bunmi Jenyo.
The communique read, “We take with a serious view the recent Osun State governorship election, and note sadly that it was grossly compromised, neither free nor fair but an outright stealing of PDP’s victory as given freely by the people of the state to our candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke. We declare our disappointment in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for his inability to preside over a nation where votes must count.
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“We also give due cognisance to the earlier conducted Ekiti State election and the serious assault and battery of the state governor, Ayodele Fayose, the conduct of the election itself, the massive vote-buying that characterised it, the vote stealing and compromised posture of INEC, hence, reject the election result as it does not represent the electoral desire of the people.
“Therefore, we support our candidates in the two aforementioned elections in Osun and Ekiti states to take concrete legal actions to recover their mandates from the roguish APC that is now becoming notorious for election rigging.
“We also note that Governor Fayose’s tenure comes to an end in a couple of weeks from now. Therefore, we wish him well in his future endeavours. We, however, observe that the Buhari administration has clearly indicated its desire to intimidate and harass him. This attitude is cheap and very pedestrian. We declare our solidarity with Governor Fayose and promise to stand firm in his support in the event of the prosecution of petty vendetta against his person.”