Behind The Scene Happenstances That Paved Way For Return Of Ayodele Fayose To Ekiti Government House. Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose is the governor elect of Ekiti state

The former governor was declared winner of the Saturday June 21 2014 guber election in the state.

He beat major contenders, re election seeking incumbent John Kayode Fayemi and Federal Legislator Opeyemi Bamidele.

Fayose’s emergence as new Governor of Ekiti is confirmed by Independent National Electoral Commission and congratulatory message by outgoing Governor Fayemi.

But outside of the votes polled, how did the ousted ex governor with a court case hanging on his neck and a tag of controversy to his name beat all to earn victory in a such a eyes of the world on it election?

Digs by societynowng.com revealed some deft behind the scene moves that paved the way for Fayose’s grass root popularity to bloom and bear fruit.

…..Presidential Endorsement
Digs revealed President Goodluck Jonathan, in dire need of a foothold in the southwest for his party, People’s Democratic Party was convinced it will only take a Fayose to dislodge the party in control of the southwest, All Progressives Congress from Ekiti state.
With presidential conviction of his ability earned, the road to emergence of Mr Fayose as his party’s consensus candidate was cleared. And he emerged.

….Internal Party squables Quashed
After he emerged party candidate, Mr Fayose rammed into another discord within his party that threatened his ambition.

Party chieftain with heavy say in southwest political affairs, Kashamu Buruj reportedly doled a huge fund to help his campaign. The development was reportedly a personal affair. But turned a public matter when the lender wanted payment to start immediately official fund for the election is released.

The then candidate refused and a battle of wits that saw internal enemies of Mr Fayose begin a gang up was kick started…again the president intervened and forced a compromise. Fayose’s ambition was again safeguarded.

….The Teachers Effect
One major turn around in the election was the support of teachers in the state.

Outgoing governor Fayemi wanted all teachers in the state to take a special examination that would help re categorise them based on performance.

This was on the heels of allegations of outstanding salaries and agitation for payment. The teachers alleging attempt at victimisation resisted the move. Contestant Fayose reached out them and kick started a rapport that played him up as the messiah. He reportedly put many on soft grants and dedicated a particular phone to their plight and support. He ended up with a major support sector of the state.

….Caging The APC Lords
Many believe one of the most effective strategy deployed to outs governor Fayemi from Ekiti state was refusing the convergence of All Progressive Congress heavy weights in the state ahead of the election.

They party’s major guns were scheduled to arrive for Mr Fayemi’s mega rally on thursday and provide ‘support’ for one of their own till after the election.

Alleged presidential intervention reportedly kept Governor Oshiomole from moving out of benin. Governor Rotimi Amaechi was prevented from moving past neighbouring Ondo state. Wammako was refused approval to land.

Many believe this particular refusal of the convergence of the APC heavy weights – denying them opportunity to execute map out strategies – in no small measure denied them victory.

….Labour Party’s Opeyemi Bamidele’s Underground Antics
Though he was regarded one of the leading contenders, former APC chieftain turned labour party flagbearer, Opeyemi Bamidele’s antics actually swayed the poll in favour of Fayose. Just hours to the election, his supporters crossed over to the PDP to officially vote for Fayose.

This is after weeks of intensive campaign he was able to scour and fragment former party member and key contender, outgoing governor Fayemi’s support base.

Opeyemi is expected to decamp and contest for the senatorial position that forced him out of APC under the platform of PDP in weeks to come.

….Soldiers & Initial Arrest
Moves and counter moves of security personnell on election day equally coward the opposition. Search, seizure and arrest of supporters outside of Fayose’s camp where effected.

Reportedly acting on tip off the acts forced many off opposition supporters off the scene. One of the reported target for arrest was Bimbo Daramola, the Director General of Gov Fayemi’s Campaign Organisation. His father’s house was reportedly ransacked for 2hrs based on information.

….Deployments of Minister Musiliu Obanikoro, Police Affairs Adesiyan and Chris Uba.
Emerging PDP point men in southwest politics Musiliu Obanikoro, minister of state for Defence and Jelili Adesiyan minister for police affairs were equally on hand to provide support during the election. Though the duo’s presence were explained as acting in official capacity, that of PDP chieftain and controversial anambra politician, Chris Uba allegedly moving about in the company of armed security operatives was not explained.