By Jeremiah Akindele.
Ekiti Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has hailed the victory recorded by Governor Biodun Oyebanji and herself at the Election Petition Tribunal in a case instituted by Engr. Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party on the June 18,2022 governorship poll.
Mrs Afuye, while reacting during a victory prayer held by management and staff of her office, commended the judiciary for preventing the will of the people from being subverted by the defeated opposition party.
The Ekiti’s number two citizen, in a statement by her Special Assistant Media, Victor Ogunje, said this judicial victory, had further amplified and firmly attested to the fact that Oyebanji won the June 18,2022 governorship election fairly and squarely.
She said with this resounding verdict, the judiciary, had again proven to be bastion, fortress and great defender of democracy.
Mrs Afuye insisted that Governor Oyebanji was freely given the mandate by electorate to serve them, and that no force will be given the leeway to hijack such, since ultimate power belongs to the people under an ideal democracy.
“We are happy about this. No case is too small when it comes to election petition. Our victory was made possible by God, and the prayers of all Ekiti people. This support must continue.
“As I salute the judiciary for mustering the vigour and acted valiantly to deliver a resounding judgement on the issue emanating from the conduct of the Ekiti governorship poll, let me call on the opposition to join hands with Governor Oyebanji to take Ekiti to the deserved destination of propserity, progress and development.
“Ekiti State belongs to all of us, let us join hands with the government of the day to make Ekiti better and greater.
“We also appreciate and commend the opposition for not resorting to anarchy in seeking redress in the electoral matter. Resorting to court remains the best practice in democracy to seek redress on any contentious issue.
“But now that the matter had been resolved, they should contribute their quota in building Ekiti of our dream.
“I salute our party members, leaders across the State and Nigeria and all Ekiti people for standing by Governor Oyebanji. We are assuring you that we will not let you down.
“Governor Oyebanji and his team will rev the pedal of development by being diligent, transparent and zealously committed to good governance’.
