Former member of the House of Representatives, Congressman Bimbo Daramola has congratulated Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the winner of the Saturday Governorship Primary of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti state.
Daramola, who also contested the party’s flag wished the minister well in the poll and urged all party members to support him to attain victory.
Daramola, in a statement he issued to journalists commended delegates for their peaceful conduct and display of maturity during and after the rescheduled primary.
Here is Daramola’s full text:
“Twenty four months ago,I was compelled to listen to the people who came to share with me the need to rise up to the fresh reality that our situation in our dear state presents.
I am not one given to unbridled ambition or ego, in fact this part of me had made me come across as a relatively complacent person when it has to do with selfish desires or materialism.
So when I looked at the bigger picture implications of a state and people if we continue on the route we are presently then we run the risk of being consumed.
This was the ground rule that propelled me into the race after extensive consultations.
So over the past 24 months characterised by extensive travels, night and day, within and outside of Ekiti, huge deployment of resources and a great team working hard night and day queuing behind a dream and pursuing a vision that is clear and mutually shared.
It’s been long and stretching no doubts as it all ended yesterday after the initial aborted process with the emergence of Dr John Kayode Fayemi as candidate of our party.
No doubt eminently qualified and suitable , looking at the thematic thrust of his campaign titled “Reclaiming our Land and Restoring our Values” and comparing it with our theme which is “Restoring our pristine identity”. Without doubt one thread runs through.
With his victory, let me join other people to congratulate Dr Kayode Fayemi, and pray for wisdom from above for the task ahead.
Our state and people need a brand new direction as the aspiration of several other aspirants attests to ,regardless of the votes scored they must have sold a dream of a better Ekiti to their supporters, I salute you all, and appreciate your dogged fight all through till yesterday.
May I say I had the great privilege of meeting some of us in the course of this journey, and this journey has offered me many victories, which include the fact that there are many compatriots with whom I share the great dream of better Ekiti, the privilege of walking into this contest as total strangers and the victory of becoming brothers ,uncles and sisters.
I salute you all, my Egbons and Awes and Aburos in the college of aspirants, I pray that God will continue to be with us all and may our vision for our state never grow dim or reduced in stature, Ekiti will be needing all these strengths in the days ahead”
May I also use this opportunity to thank immensely and PROFUSELY all the Great Men And Women who identified with our dream, supported me in many ways from prayers through physical involvement to resources, in the coming days I will be visiting you all to express my PROFOUND APPRECIATION. Thanks for believing in us.
To my team Nitoriojoolawa as I spoke to you from my heart amidst that very sombre and profuse display of emotions, I feel you all, your pains and let downs but be rest assured that in the midst of this we can celebrate the victory of fresh and new relationships, ebbing ones bolstered and in these matrix rests unimaginable opportunities , so the vision is not dead.
As I told you please keep our bond stronger and tighter knowing that we Must always have that bond as a victory that we cannot afford to loose, a chain is as strong as it’s weakest link it is said.
I salute you all for your sacrifices in many ways, I am irredeemably committed to you all as my first family, you all worked so hard but take this behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining.
I want to urge all party people to look beyond now and all the strain but set eyes on the ultimate challenge and pool efforts together, to get our state back.
Finally, l want to thank my family and friends for putting up with the overwhelming demands of being a part of this race, we have learnt lessons that will remain with me for the rest of my life , and the young generation of emerging leaders also have things to take away from this election.
I Thank Almighty God for the protection and preservation, and that is best captured in one of my favourite songs : “my hope is built on nothing else”, far and above all being a part of this race is a further expression of my love for our people and state, and not participating in the circumstance that led to it would have been a loss, but to have in the manner I have over the past 24 months is a victory indeed.”
Meanwhile, the ex-federal lawmaker has lauded the efforts of the Governor Tanko Al-Makura led Commitee and the security agencies that were deployed for the primary saying they performed well.
