The Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, on Monday said he is supporting President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term in office because of the support he received from the President to become the governor of the state.
Fayose said criticisms from the All Progressives Congress would not make him withdraw his support for the President in the February 14 election.
Describing the election as a payback time for President Jonathan, Fayose said the victory he recorded during the June 21 governorship election could be ascribed largely to the robust support he got from the Presidency.
Fayose made the statement in Emure Ekiti while flagging off the campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party’s House of Assembly and National Assembly candidates in Ekiti South Senatorial District.
The district is comprised of Gbonyin, Emure and Ekiti East Local Government Areas.
Speaking at the palace of the Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo, Fayose described Jonathan as a humble personality, who does not allow the aura of office to go into his head.
He said the country would once again slide into dictatorship if Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress allowed to win the presidential
election.
Fayose promised that his government would equip all the security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Army and Police, to be able to combat security challenges that might want to raise its ugly head in the state.
He said: “What I believe in my life is absolute loyalty and that is my own philosophy about politics.
“It is either I am for you or I am against you.
“President Goodluck Jonathan supported me when I was contesting and this is a payback time.
“We have to support him because it was God that brought him into power.
“Apart from the fact that President Jonathan has done his best for Nigeria, presidency is a very powerful position that needs a humble personality like Jonathan to superintend over.
“So Ekiti must stand up for Jonathan and I want to assure you, he will not forget you.”
While presenting the candidates, Fayose appealed to all aggrieved aspirants to forget their grudges and support the party’s candidates at all levels.
He said: “When I was in opposition, I defeated an incumbent governor in all the 16 local government areas.
“I know it is going to be an easy ride now that we are in government.
“By the grace of God and the support of the people, I won’t lose any slot in the state House of Assembly and National Assembly elections.”
Oba Adebayo, who pleaded for peace during the elections, urged the government to put necessary measures in place to ensure security for all Nigerians.
Oba Adebayo maintained that what the country needs now is peace, adding that any attempt to introduce violence into the elections could cause serious havoc to Nigeria.
At the gathering, the governor unveiled the candidates of the party and pleaded with the people to vote for them.