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The political family of the
victorious governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria in
Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi are interpreting their weekend victory at
the federal appeals court as a morale booster for the opposition in the
country.

Residents of the state themselves
took to the streets on Friday celebrating the success. Feats of
acrobatic display of motorcyclists and party supporters were performed
on the streets.

With the confirmation of Mr Fayemi
as the lawfully elected governor of the state, the party has now
increased the number of states under its control to three – Lagos, Edo
and Ekiti. The last two were snatched from the PDP at the law courts.

The publicity secretary of the
party, Lai Mohammed, said the victory is a challenge for opposition
groups in the country, claiming the 2011 election will not be a
business as usual.

“If we can do it now, then this is
a sign of what the 2011 will look like. It is a morale booster for the
entire opposition group in the country. We have not only got that of
Ekiti and some part of south west, but we will go into all other part
of the country and win massively,” he said.

The governor of Edo State, Adams
Oshiomole, also described the victory as “a victory for progressive and
democratic forces” in Nigeria.

“This victory has definitely
opened a new vista not only in the annals of the Ekiti people, but the
democratic and progressive forces in the country,” he said.

A lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, also said the court ruling shows that democracy is gradually taking roots in the country.

“What is required is our
steadfastness, tenacity and resolution to pursue justice to the final
conclusion. Mimiko has exhibited this, and I am so glad that tear drops
to my face that Fayemi too has also registered his name on the side of
the uncompromising just,” he said.

Remarkably, President Goodluck Jonathan was one of the early backers of the court ruling.

“As Mr. Fayemi prepares to assume
the office of governor of Ekiti State, President Jonathan assures him
of the full support and cooperation of the Federal Government,” the
presidential spokesperson, Ima Niboro said at the weekend.

An ACN leader in Ekiti State and a
member of the House of Assembly representing Ikere constituency,
Funminiyi Afuye described the victory as the restoration of Zion’s
glory.

Mr Fayemi might not disagree. As
the Court on Appeal in Ilorin read its judgement on Friday, Mr. Fayemi
was with his supporters who had lodged at Sunview Hotel, Akure over the
night muttering words of prayers and hoping for victory.

The new governor and his
supporters jumped in victory at the announcement of the result also
stated that he be sworn in with immediate effect.

Mr. Fayemi told journalists that
he is “totally grateful to the people of Ekiti who stood by me during
my trivial in the hands of the illegal government. Despite the fact
that it took me a long time to reclaim my mandate, they stood by me.
The victory is not for Fayemi alone; but for justice, democracy, rule
of law and the entire Ekiti citizenry

“For three and half years, we
challenged illegality at the court and people stood by us during this
period. They never lose hope in me. For three and half years, I was
made a sacrificial lamb but today, I thank God that justice has
prevailed”.

Happy supporters

Ayo Fayose, a former governor of the state described Mr. Oni’s exit as the end of the PDP in the state.

“I had promised him that his stay
will one day be truncated by the long hand of justice. I salute the
courage of Fayemi for choosing to pursue his case, not on the streets
but in the normal court of law with so much zeal, hope and
perseverance. Ekiti will from now spot the difference between an
imposed leader and elected man of the people,’’ he said.

Jide Awe, chairman of the state branch of the Action Congress of Nigeria, was full of joy when NEXT contacted him on phone.

“When we were cheated, people
thought we would go to the street and start burning tyres and houses,
but Fayemi addressed the party faithful asking them to believe in God
and the Judiciary. That is the sign of a good leader. Today, we have
been proved right and I think that this can also happen in other states
too,” he said.

Rotimi Akeredolu, the immediate
former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, said the judiciary
deserves praise for the outcome of the case.

“This judgement brings to fore the
hallowed and attested adage that though the swift-footed lie race
furiously to out-pace truth in the contention for eternal verity; it
takes the courageous acts of some to quicken the process of unveiling,”
he said.

Judgement

The court, led by the President of
the Court of Appeal, Ayo Salami, last on Friday, ordered the immediate
swearing in of Mr. Fayemi as duly elected governor. According to the
court, Mr. Fayemi won both the April 14, 2007 election and the re-run
election of April 25, 2009 with highest lawful votes cast at the polls.

The court which resolved four out
of five grounds of appeal in favour of Mr. Fayemi, also ordered the
Independent National Electoral Commission to immediately withdraw the
certificate of return from Mr. Oni and issue new certificate of return
to Mr. Fayemi “Fayemi scored majority of lawful votes cast in the
election held on April 14, 2007 and April 25, 2009, while Oni has not
been duly elected with the majority votes cast,” Mr Salami said.

“Having satisfied the
constitutional requirements as duly elected governor of Ekiti State,
Fayemi is hereby declared as duly elected governor and should be sworn
in immediately.”