ERELU BISI FAYEMI CAUTIONS AGAINST VIOLENCE IN JUNE ELECTION

…CALLS FOR MASS APC MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has advised politicians and their supporters to eschew violence in the build-up to the June 21 governorship election in the state.

Addressing a huge gathering of All Progressives Congress faithful in Ido-Ekiti during a meeting of leaders of the party in Ekiti North Senatorial District, she said violence was an ill-wind that blows no one any good.

At the meeting were the interim State Chairman of the APC, Chief Jide Awe; his Deputy, Chief Dele Falusi; Director-General, Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Congressman Bimbo Daramola; Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Ganiyu Owolabi; and Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Tunji Orisalade.

Members of the Executive Council, lawmakers; top government functionaries and their spouses, male and female party leaders, from the senatorial district also attended the meeting.

The arrival of Erelu Bisi Fayemi at the venue commanded a standing ovation from the large gathering, particularly among the women who thronged the place.      

Giving the sterling performance of the Dr. Kayode Fayemi-led administration in the past three-and-a-half years, the First Lady said there was no need for panic or doubts among the APC loyalists that the governor might not clinch second term.

The governor’s wife advised APC loyalists against engaging political opponents in any tango or altercation, no matter the level of provocation.

Warning against complacency, she said that the party members should embark on mass mobilization to win more supporters for the party ahead of the election to ensure landslide victory for the governor.

In the spirit of the more, the merrier, Erelu Bisi Fayemi urged foundation members of the party to welcome defectors from opposition parties with open arms.

She said, “We should not discriminate against newcomers, because I know that established members of the party always nurse the fear that newcomers are coming to dominate them or disallow them from fully reaping the fruits of their labour.

“We should realize that our opponents of yesterday are today our loyalists, while some of our loyalists of yesterday have jumped ship. We need more people on our side, because the more the merrier.

“We should also not foment trouble or engage in any violent act. We don’t want crisis in any of our communities. Our member should be peaceful, because the excellent performance of Governor Fayemi so far is enough for him to get second term  

“I should also advise our political office holders to take time to visit their country homes and be cheerful givers. The male political leaders should empower their wives to enable them to reach out to the communities. On this I give kudos to Senator Olu Adetunmbi as a good example.”

The governor’s wife enjoined APC loyalists to ensure that they register as voters when the Independent National Electoral Commission kicks off the exercise, which she said was their only voting strength.

Irrespective of their support and love for the governor, she said it would be a disservice if they could not vote for him during the forthcoming election.