U.S insists on free, fair election in Ekiti 2018 poll

United States of America (U.S.A) Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington has insisted that his country will work with all stakeholders in order to ensure that July 14, 2018 gubernatorial election in the state is free, fair and credible.

Symington, who visited Governor Ayodele Fayose alongside his aide, Mima Torres, and was received with pomp at the General Adeyinka Adebayo House in the governor’s office, said he was impressed with the patriotic zeal of Nigerians, saying: ” Nigerians are proud to be Nigerians, when you ask them what they love most about their country, they would say it is our resilience, energy, diversity, unity and friendliness”.

The U.S envoy who told governor Fayose that his three years in office has been keenly observed by the U.S, said the infrastructural development strides of the governor is commendable.

Stating the purpose for his visit to the state, Symington said: “We are in Ektiti because we believe in Nigeria, every state, every corner matters. We have seen what you have done in the last three years, it is very commendable.
Our concern in U.S is that we want to see leaders who care about others and not themselves.”

Symington also urged Fayose to ensure support for Ekiti women who are interested in agriculture. He revealed that the U.S in particularly is interested in the programme Governor Fayose has for the nation as a presidential hopeful.

He stressed on the need for free, fair and credible elections and promised that the U.S will ensure that subsequent elections in Nigeria, particularly in Anambra and Ekiti states are free, fair and credible.

“The U.S will work with other stakeholders to ensure that elections are free, fair and credible in Nigeria. We believe that we must have elections where people will be ready and willing to participate in, that is, a peaceful and orderly election”, Symington said.

Responding, Fayose decried the major problem retarding the growth of the country as poor attitude by the people and the insincerity of leaders.

“Our greatest challenge is not corruption but insincerity of leaders. Those claiming to fight corruption are not sincere. Without justice, we can’t move forward. There must be equity in the way we do things. Being selective in the fight against corruption will not take us anywhere”.

On his presidential ambition, Fayose assured the U.S envoy that he is eminently qualified to rule the nation: “I have the required experience to lead this country. I have worked with the presidents we have elected into office in this country and I am able to manage the economy of my state despite lean resources. In the US and the UK they ask for your experience when seeking for a job not your paper qualifications. I have managed a poor economy in my state and that shows my ability to deliver,” he said.

On the coming governorship election in the state, Fayose who assured that his government and party would play the game with fairness, again insisted that the opposition would not be able to win 10 out of the 177 wards in the state.

While urging the U.S to ensure the Nigerian government allows a free and fair election, Fayose “We are in firm control and the people are in our support. We just want to appeal to America and the international community to keep an eye on the poll. We don’t want INEC to come to our state with preloaded card readers or manipulate the process. We are sure to repeat the victory of 2014 when we won in all local government areas,” he stated.

The governor also urged the U.S envoy to give special consideration to Ekiti indigenes who are awarded government scholarship for studies and training in U.S, saying denying them visas on grounds that they may not return isn’t helping the situation. He assured U.S that all indigenes whose traveling is okayed by his government are well behaved people.

Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Information, Dr Samuel Omotoso who also spoke at the event accused
the federal government of punishing the People of Ekiti State because of the alternate views of Governor Fayose.

“As we all know Your Excellency, democracy must encourage alternate views. The people of Ekiti State are suffering unjustly because of the alternate views of our governor.

“Twice, the state allocation has been stopped with serious collateral damages on emergencies like immunisation and maintenance of the cold chain system as well as the inability of the state to meet her financial obligations to the citizens.

“We adopted the American model of democracy in Nigeria where states and federation should coexist peacefully but this is not applicable in modern day Nigeria.

“Mr. President is supposed to be a father to all after the election but what we have is the reverse. It’s all forms of segregation and discrimination across the land. The Federal Government through the institutions encourages double standards across boards,” he said.

Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti