Ekiti 2018: Fayose charges INEC, FG on credible poll, predicts PDP win

From WOLE BALOGUN, Ado-Ekiti

 Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Federal Government to conduct credible governorship poll in the state next year, even as he predicts victory for his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the elections.

He also warned the Federal Government against using force or manipulating devices to rig the election.

He stated this in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, while reacting to the announcement by INEC fixing the governorship election in the state for July 14, 2018.

In a statement, his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, quoted the governor as saying that he with his party was fully prepared for the poll.  “We are happy, prepared and expectant of the date for the election and it has come. I only want to appeal to INEC to live to the expectation of Nigerians by conducting a poll that is not manipulated. It must be credible, free and fair. The one we had in 2014 was rated high by local and international observers.

“In fact, it should be a benchmark for other elections in the country. I am aware of plans being hatched by some failed politicians to use INEC and federal might to take over Ekiti. We are on ground and nobody can use any foul means to take over Ekiti State. If they have been doing that elsewhere, that won’t work here. We are on ground and we want to let them know that we will resist any attempt to manipulate anything here. Already, part of their plans is to cripple the state financially and they have started that by the illegal arrest and detention of our people, but the power of the people will prevail in the end.

“They are also planning to begin electronic transfer of election results with Ekiti State, no one can use us as a guinea pig for one useless experiment. The voters and the people of the state must decide who they want to govern them,” he said.

Fayose said he was not jittery that his party could lose the election, saying if the election was held today, his party and candidate would win hands down.