Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has felicitated with Nigerians and people of Ekiti State as the nation marks another democracy day.
The governor also congratulated the new President, Muhammadu Buhari, and the outgoing president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, for making history.
Fayose, according to a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, and made available in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, congratulated Ekiti people for being part of this historic event.
He said Ekiti State had witnessed remarkable growth and development in the democratic dispensation over the last 16 years, urging the people to consolidate the democratic gains and continue to imbibe the essential democratic tenets for a more prosperous state.
The governor counseled anybody or group who may want to hide under the celebration to ignite violence to have a rethink because they would regret their actions.
He urged all Ekiti people to pursue the ideals and actions that would strengthen, rather than undermine, democratic values in our polity.
The Governor, while calling on the police and the security agencies to ensure proper maintenance of law and order, said the call had become necessary as some people had seen the swearing in ceremony as opportunity to foment trouble and attack innocent people.
He stated, “Dear compatriots, as your duly elected Governor, I am more than determined to protect the democratic norms and values in our state. The unity, peace and stability of our state as well as the protection of lives and property are non-negotiable.
“Ekiti people are known as a strong, resilient and courageous people, therefore, we must all rise in unison with patriotic zeal and collective determination to overcome various challenges confronting our dear state.
“As a state, we have our good and bad days, but it is important to understand that rancour poses a serious threat to the development and sustenance of democracy.
“Despite the challenges we face in Ekiti State, we must commend all peace-loving people of the state for opposing forces of evil who are the enemies of democracy, determined to truncate the electoral wishes of the people.”
