…Says gov lives in the hearts of his people
From Wole Balogun, Ado-Ekiti
Former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, has said the humane nature and policies of Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has endeared him to Ekiti people and his political achievements have made Fayose an Ekiti legend.
Shekarau also said Fayose is living in the hearts of the people, therefore defeating him by the opposition in his state is a mirage.
Shekerau, who is also a former Minister of Education, said the affection the governor shows to the people of the state can be seen in the numerous humane policies and projects Fayose is executing in the state.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Idowu Adelusi, in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, Shekarau said this during a visit to Ado-Ekiti.
Shekarau, who was taken round some projects by Governor Fayose, said he was overwhelmed by the close relationship between Fayose and the people of the state.
He therefore charged Nigerian leaders to emulate Fayose by identifying with their people and meeting their needs.
“I am not surprised by the great performance of Governor Ayodele Fayose in Ekiti State. We were governors at the same time in 2003, though we were in different political parties, he did wonderfully well then too. I am impressed by the projects being executed by the governor despite the recession in the country and the small statutory allocations coming to the state.
“More than physical infrastructure, the governor is so affectionate that the people have seen him as a leader they can rely on and lean on his shoulders, as he is very accessible. When you show affection to the people, they create a space for you in their hearts and you literally live there and the people of Ekiti have done that for Fayose. He is living in their hearts. That is what Prophet Mohammed (SAW) also taught. That we make positive impact on the lives of others,” he said.
The former governor also said Fayose was always overcoming challenges and obstacles because he makes God his pillar and urged him to continue to do so.
Shekarau said he was happy that Fayose was projecting the ideals and principles of their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that Fayose was a leader to follow.
Speaking in a similar vein, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Mr Charles Yau Ilya, also said he had heard a lot about Governor Fayose and was happy that what he saw on ground confirmed that Fayose was a true and real friend of the common man.
“This is my first visit to Ekiti State and I have heard a lot about Governor Ayodele Fayose. I am really happy that the governor is a living legend, whose love for the people of the state is duly reciprocated by the people who are showing their love for him too,” he said.
Ilya also said the internal wrangling in the PDP could happen in any political party, expressing confidence that the PDP would come out stronger and better.