Politics
Fayemi And The New Sociology Of Politics
Ekiti State, formerly
known as the “Centre of Knowledge,” but now “Land of Honour” took her turn in the gubernatorial test on June 21, 2014 with a verdict of “no victor, no vanquished”. One may be wondering why there was “no victor, no vanquished” in an election in which three major political parties with three heavy weights engaged themselves in a battle of wills and wits to win the hearts and votes of the electorate at all costs.
While Governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on the driving seat of Ekiti Government, tried to use the test to cruise into his second tenure, his major challenger and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Ayo Fayose was determined to recover the peoples’ mandate which he believed was stolen from him through judiciary gate. Fayose lost to Fayemi in a court of law after a stay of more than three years as landlord of Ekiti State Government House. Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, a member of House of Representatives and candidate of the Labour Party (LP) saw the governorship poll as an opportunity to serve the people as No 1 citizen of the state.
Bearing all calculations by the candidates to win the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which was leaking its wounds from poor outing in previous exercises was, however, prepared to make a difference in the poll in which 732,166 voters registered across 2,195 polling units in the state with 177 wards.
In a ‘hard fought’ election among the three candidates, INEC released the score card and returned Ayo Fayose of PDP as the winner, having won in all the 16 local government areas of the state with 203,090 votes. the incumbent governor polled 120,433 votes to clinch second position while the LP candidate, Bamidele, settled for third position with 18,135 votes.
Even though there were records of unsavory episodes when the candidates toured parts of the state to sell themselves to the people, the verdict of INEC on the Ekiti gubernatorial poll, did not tear the Ekiti people and their peace apart as earlier predicted in some quarters.
But the beauty of the Ekiti election can better be appreciated in the rare show of sportsmanship exhibited by Governor Fayemi despite the fact that he lost in his bid to return to Government House for a second time. Hours after INEC released the result, Ekiti remained peaceful and Governor Fayemi not only accepted defeat, but also congratulated Fayose, the governor-elect for emerging victorious.
In a broadcast in Ado-Ekiti last Sunday, Fayemi said he had no choice but to accept the results of the June 21 election and congratulated the governor-elect “if indeed the outcome of the election is the will of the Ekiti people.”
Displaying an uncommon disposition that is unknown to Africa politics, Fayemi insisted that “if this is the will of the Ekiti people, I stand in deference to your will. If the result of the elections is an expression of the voice of our people, we must all heed your voice. I have just spoken with my brother, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, congratulating him on his victory. In a few hours from now, I would be meeting the governor-elect to discuss the future of our dear state and how we would work together to institute a smooth transition programme.”
The governor not only participated in the election, he also saw the outcome of the polls as truly reflecting the wishes of the people and therefore accepted in clear terms that “conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal”.
The leadership of APC is worried why and how the party lost to the opponent in the polls even with the power of incumbency, Fayemi believes that there is no need crying over the spilt milk. With no blame for any one for his political summersault, Fayemi, however, thanked the people for support even as he promised to keep faith with them in building Ekiti together.
“Elections tend to be highly divisive affairs that often see a brother rising against his brother. Despite our diverse party affiliations, and regardless of which way we voted on Saturday, we must remember that we are all sons and daughters of Ekiti State. Ekiti is ours to build together”, Faymei added in his post-election broadcast.
Three uncommon features stand out in Fayemi reaction to the Ekiti election. They are, his conscience and political will to concede defeat in the face of realities, his sportsmanship to congratulate his winner (Fayose) and his concern and willingness to build Ekiti together irrespective of party affiliations.
Governor Fayemi may have fought a good fight and kept the faith in the election that was adjudged credible, free and fair by stakeholders, the voice of the people, INEC concurred, was the voice of God. No wonder, he (Fayemi) threw in the towel; a situation that has evolved what could be regarded as a new sociology in Ekiti politics.
Reactions have trailed Fayemi disposition to the outcome of the election. To some, Fayemi’s gentleman disposition to concede defeat is ‘un Africa’, but the APC flag bearer in the polls believed that there is nothing “un-African of un-Nigerian” about his congratulatory message to Fayose. Fayemi who received the governor-elect in his office in Ado-Ekiti, remarked that, “They said my congratulatory message to governor-elect is un-African or un-Nigerian. I don’t think it was so because that was what I was expected to do as a democrat.”
Respecting the wishes of the people in an election, does not make one a political misfit or coward. Fayemi argues that his action was prompted by the belief that “our democracy is fragile and we have to do whatever we can as leaders to strengthen and deepen it the more”.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, agreed that the governor conceding defeat and congratulating his opponents is exemplary in nature and has added value to the country’s democratic principles. In a statement by his Special Adviser on media, Imam Imam, the speaker said “the governor’s action to congratulate his opponent was a clear proof that our politics is imbibing standard global practice associated with electioneering process”.
To the All Progressives Congress, the action of its candidate in the election was the position of the party. “Of course, the governor couldn’t have made such statement without consulting with the party leadership. What he said is the position of the party leadership,” Lai Mohammed, the APC spokesman said.
The Governor-elect must be grateful to God because the man who wrestled power from him four year ago but lost to him in the June 21 polls is not desperate to remain in office, as it is often the case with most incumbents who usually demonstrate the bad loser syndrome. But more importantly, Fayemi has demonstrated to the world that the interest of Ekiti people is more paramount than his personal ambition and that politics can be played with decorum and restraint.
Meanwhile, Fayose who said his coming back as governor was borne out of the genuine intention to promote love and unity among Ekiti people, did not hide his warm feeling about Fayemi conceding defeat to him when he said “His (Fayemi’s) statesmanship conduct would forever remain in history”.
Today, Ekiti is victorious and in the eyes of history, this is a lesson for all politicians that election must not be seen as do-or-die affairs. Politicians must avoid the bad loser syndrome, build and sustain democracy and not pull it down.
As the 2015 general elections draw nearer, time will tell whether politicians will build on Fayemi’s new sociology of politics-where election is contested and decided without going to court or return to the old and expensive order that increases court cases after every poll as well as promotes tension and acrimony in the land.
APC governorship candidate, Governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife Bisi on queue waiting for their turn to vote during the governorship election in Ekiti State recently.
Samuel Eleonu
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, the party said it had taken note of Mr Obi’s defection alongside some of his supporters, as well as what it called a “lacklustre speech” delivered by the former Anambra State governor at the defection event.
“We wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians,” the party said, adding that it was not surprised by the move, having “since September 2024, parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly.”
According to the statement, the faction said it had patiently awaited Mr Obi’s exit, describing it as a blessing.
“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the party said.
The faction further disclosed that it had previously urged Mr Obi and his supporters to leave if they were unable to work with the party leadership.
It claimed that several lawmakers had been suspended for anti-party activities and that similar action would have been taken against Mr Obi but for the intervention of “some well-meaning Nigerians.”
It also blamed its internal crisis on Mr Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, accusing them of sponsoring what it described as an insurrection against the Julius Abure-led leadership.
“The crisis we had in the Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Alex Otti,” the statement alleged, adding that it was surprising Dr Otti had not followed Mr Obi out of the party despite his suspension.
Reacting to Mr Obi’s defection event in Enugu, the faction claimed the gathering was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South East, insisting that those present were “political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today.”
It warned that this development signalled the failure of any future Mr Obi presidential or vice-presidential ambition, claiming he had “clearly lost the charm that had endeared him to the people prior to 2023.”
The faction also accused Mr Obi of misleading the South East during the 2023 elections, alleging that the region suffers political marginalisation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a result.
“He must be told that the South East lost out completely in President Ahmed Tinubu’s government because they trusted and believed in him in 2023,” the statement said, alleging disparities in ministerial appointments and infrastructure allocation to the zone.
The Abure-Led LP apologised to Nigerians for its decision in the last election.
“We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the party said.
It urged Nigerians to watch out for a rebranded Labour Party, promising to present “the best prospect” capable of returning Nigeria to what it described as its “glorious days.”
steadily toward unity, justice, and shared prosperity”, he said.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at his country home in Ikere-Ekiti, Dr Oluyede said the development came as a shock, stressing that INEC supervised and monitored the PDP governorship primary that produced him as the party’s candidate.
According to him, INEC officials documented the process, completed all required forms, and even affirmed his candidacy in court through sworn affidavits arising from cases linked to the primary election.
He maintained that no court order or injunction currently restrains INEC from listing his name as the PDP candidate, arguing that the electoral body lacks the constitutional power to determine who emerges as a party’s nominee.
Dr Oluyede described such decisions as the exclusive responsibility of political parties, not the electoral umpire.
While playing down panic over the released list, Dr Oluyede noted that electoral processes often involve reviews and corrections.
He disclosed that he had commenced wide consultations, including engagements with PDP leadership and formal correspondence with INEC, to seek clarification on the omission and determine the next line of action.
The PDP candidate assured his supporters across Ekiti State that he would appear on the ballot, expressing confidence that the situation would be resolved in his favour.
He described attempts to exclude candidates from elections as dangerous and undemocratic, warning that such tactics undermine the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.
Dr Oluyede called on the people of Ekiti to reject any form of disenfranchisement, insisting that elections should be contests of ideas, records, and acceptance by the electorate rather than exclusionary maneuvers.
He also declared that the PDP in Ekiti had resolved its past internal crises and was now united, focused, and ready to win the forthcoming governorship election.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and focused, expressing optimism that, with divine grace and the will of the people, the PDP would emerge victorious at the polls.
Mr Obi spoke while formally declaring for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at a well-attended event in Enugu on Wednesday, where he outlined what he described as a fresh roadmap for rescuing the country from its socio-economic challenges.
Addressing party members, supporters and other stakeholders, the former governor stressed that leadership must be driven by integrity and accountability, warning against the culture of double standards in public office.
“We cannot continue to deceive our people. Leadership is about telling the truth and leading by example. You cannot promise one thing in public and do another in private. That is not leadership, and that is not the change Nigeria needs”, Mr Obi said.
He maintained that genuine national rebirth would only be possible if entrenched wrongs were corrected, adding that governance must be guided by competence, discipline and a clear sense of purpose.
Mr Obi also underscored the need for fresh thinking in the nation’s political space, urging political actors to move away from recycled ideas that have failed to deliver sustainable development.
“We must come with new ideas,” he said, adding that “Nigeria’s problems are not mysterious; what has been lacking is the courage and competence to address them differently. We need a new approach that puts people first and focuses on production, not consumption.”
Calling for a broad based political collaboration, Mr Obi appealed to parties and stakeholders across ideological divides to work together in the national interest.
“This country is bigger than any party or individual. All parties must come together to change the present trend. What matters is not the platform, but the future of Nigeria and the wellbeing of its citizens”, he declared.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Mr Obi challenged aspirants seeking elective offices to ensure transparency in their credentials, warning that the era of falsified certificates was drawing to a close.
“Anyone contesting for any position in 2027 must come with genuine certificates. All the machinery is now in place to verify what is genuine and what is not. Integrity must start from the very foundation of leadership”, he stated.
Drawing lessons from international development models, Mr Obi cited Rwanda and Indonesia as examples of countries that rose from difficult beginnings to become thriving economies through disciplined leadership and sound policies.
“These countries were once behind us,” he noted, adding that “Today, they are moving ahead because they chose competent leadership, clear vision and policies that support local production and human capital development.”
He also criticised the economic policies of the present administration, particularly the continued importation of food items that can be produced locally, describing such practices as inimical to national development.
“You cannot grow an economy by killing local production. Importing food that we can produce in Nigeria destroys jobs, weakens our farmers and drains our foreign exchange. A serious country must produce what it consumes”, he argued.
The event featured renewed calls from ADC supporters for sustained engagement and mobilisation, as Mr Obi reiterated his belief that Nigeria remains redeemable if led with honesty, competence and a commitment to shared national progress.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, expressed confidence in the emerging coalition, assuring Nigerians that the party would deliver good governance at all levels of administration if entrusted with power.
The gathering also witnessed the defection of several prominent politicians from different political parties across the South-East and beyond.
The motion endorsing the defection was moved by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and seconded by former economic adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Osita Ogbu.
Goodwill messages from notable political figures, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, Chief Sam Egwu, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Achike Udenwa, Mr Onyema Ugochukwu and Senator Gilbert Nnaji among others, further underscored the growing momentum within the ADC.