By Rwang Patrick Stephen

The 2018 Ekiti state gubernatorial election has traveled every which way. To be sure, the nascent democracy of Nigeria is flourishing. Our blossoming democratic journey is developing without question.
The event in Ekiti state has made thinkers, observers and watchers of politics, both at local, translocal, national and international levels to begin to ask the hallowed question of: “what went wrong in the PDP moving retrogressively backwards from 16/0 in 2014 to about 12/4 in favor of the APC in a state that was known as a ‘broomless’ state in 2014?”
For now, Ekiti is the only state in the southwest that is controlled by the PDP as well as the only state won by the PDP presidential candidate in 2015, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

The event calls for concern indeed. Like the legendary saying or maxim goes; “How are the mighty fallen? Gold has rust in Ekiti, what then would iron do?”
Some will argue that the Presidency played a role and the military and police were pro-APC. That fact and was applicable to the PDP victory in 2014 elections, where the state was said to have been militarized. But we mustn’t rely on the same baseless emotional attachment to sentiments. Money was used, as a core factor, and both parties played the money politics definitely.
The victory of Dr kayode Fayemi has been described as a hard fought battle by the presidency. That is true indeed.

CHALLENGES OF THE PDP THAT LED TO THEIR DOWNFALL IN EKITI STATE

1. IMPOSITION OF CANDIDATE: It was very clear, loud, and strong in the state the governor imposed his deputy against the wishes of so many members of the PDP. There were reactions, but Governor Fayose used his executive power to silence them. Some of the party members decamped or cross-carpeted to the APC. Some honourable members too did same. How then did you expect the PDP to come out victorious?
If the PDP had remained united and unanimously chose their candidate without any imposition, they would have come out victorious in the election. A house divided against itself shall fallout.

2. LACK OF PAYMENT OF SALARY TO CIVIL SERVANTS IN THE STATE:
There is a concept in Ekiti state known as ‘Stomach Infrastructure’. This is a nomenclature posed by the Fayose regime. No one is arguing about the authenticity of the stomach project, but paying the people their monthly salaries is very necessary. People are becoming wiser by the day. Any form of stomach analysis without bank alert to the workers ends in failure. The PDP missed it here, the same thing happened in plateau state. The government owed civil servants about six (6) months salaries into the 2015 elections, and they lost because of the owing factor.

3. DISCONNECTION FROM THE PRESUMED GRASSROOTS CONNECTION OF THE PDP: Governor Fayose has over the years been bragging about his grassroots connection. Let be clear on this point, it is very easy for the governor to gather youths in the Ado Ekiti metropolis to walk with him. It is another thing for him to have huge acceptability in all the remaining sixteen (16) local government areas. If truly he controls the grassroots as acclaimed, why didn’t they deliver his party in the just concluded elections? There was an election in Anambra state and the governor won the election because of his massive link to the people at the grassroots. Gov Ayo Fayose says things that never exist. In all ramifications, he lacks that grassroots connection in totality.

4. PRESUMPTUOUS PROPAGANDA: It was very worrisome to note that while Dr Fayemi was busy working hard to victory, the PDP camp were busy looking for propaganda to sell in other to gather or get sympathy. In politics, one thing is sure, number. Instead of gathering the taxi drivers and motorcycle riders in Ado Ekiti by the governor, he would have been busy in one of the local government that day mobilizing and campaigning for PDP. Another off strategy of the PDP was the police incidents teargas. Instead of the victory walk, he should have gone to an interior local government to campaign. Insulting the president was another mistake that was unnecessary.
The PDP in Ekiti failed to work. Rather was basing on propaganda to lure in the international community for possible intervention. That’s not good and correct at all.

5. WEAKNESS OF THE PDP CANDIDATE OR WEAK MOBILIZATION OF THE PDP CANDIDATE: While the APC candidate was busy working for his victory, the PDP candidate was just in government house receiving instructions and allowed his boss to do the work for him. He was not showing any meaningful seriousness to the people of the state on his capability and agility to lead. He forgot that his boss is not going to be the governor but him. There was a disconnect between him and the people. All what Ekiti people sees was Fayose. It is not Fayose they want to hear or see buy the governorship candidate. He never acted on his own to show the people his ability, he depended on the popularity of the governor. That’s not correct.

STRENGTH OF THE APC
1. Identification of PDP weakness: The APC maximized the loopholes discovered in the PDP. They took advantage of the weakness of the PDP candidate. They heard what they people said about his inability to represent himself. It worked for them, congratulations.

2. Blocking of PDP strongholds: The governor-elect did his homework very well. He lost to the PDP in 2014 and decided to study and understudy the system again. He knew the strength point of the PDP in the state and decides to block them from area of strength.
He also knew the local government areas he was popular in and build the bond there solidly.
The PDP failed to do this. They were busy doing mouth work while Fayemi was working.

3. Past experience knowledge: It is said “once beating twelve shy” the governor elect knew how it feels to lose. He vowed to work hard and avenge the disgrace while the PDP was busy sleeping on past glories of 2014. Experience worked and aided the victory of APC. Inexperience worked against the PDP. Lesson for all to learn from.

4. Military and police: it is arguably to say that same thing was done in 2014. Both parties are guilty of this. So the APC claimed they are doing something the PDP did while in power. Onlookers and observers described the APC use of military as worse. But the military and police has declined colliding with APC. They have said time and again that they are apolitical.
If the PDP did it home work correctly, they would have won. Many states have succeeded in past despite military presence.
As a political scientist, we look into the polity with our political microscope and political eyeglasses, to think deeply into the political jamboree and rigmarole in the state. We look beyond propaganda and political correctness. We investigate happenings to proffer solutions.

As discussed above. Other states governors are advised not to repeat the mistake make in Ekiti state. The fact that you are a seating governor doesn’t mean you can’t be unseat.
Political gladiators and leviathans must learn to work for themselves, not allowing others to work for them. Ekiti state has been described as an uncommon state of surprises. The PDP needs to seat up in the forthcoming Osun election. If the learn from the Ekiti mistake, they may come out victorious. Security maybe much but only the strong would survive the political drill.
APC is a ruling party, but the hard work of the governor-elect spoke for him. This victory is about grazing reserve, cattle colony or ranches, rather it is about the people of Ekiti.

Rwang Patrick Stephen, Political Science department, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State.

http://olubravo.info/2018/07/17/fighting-factors-pdp-lost-ekiti-apc/

Make una forget Ekiti election and let's focus on 2019... I think ipbo suppose don accept thier Faith by now cos Ekiti election is a microscopic specimen of whats gonna happen in 2019... Make una forget am, Buhari go reach 2023... shebi na 1.9 million in favour of apc come from kano in 2014, this time around it will be 5 million in favour of apc...shey una never know say our population don increase ni ? if you know you know

Hey, Forget those many reasons up there




















PDP LOST BECAUSE OF TRIBALISM

when willl Apc and PdP React why Croatia Lost the cup to France... Talk no dey tire una ni

There was no selection in Ekiti, results were arranged and announced by federal Power.

They lost the election because that time was the best and right time to deliver themselves from another four years of trouble.

Wayo APC
Meanwhile chk my signature

How can u be shouting stomach infrastructure without paying salaries for a long time..


Haba, peter no fear God at all...


If he had bn up2date on salaries, no amount of rigging could hav stopped pdp jst like wat hapnd in anambra!
Apc tried in anambra,bt failed cos nobody wanted to gamble wt his or her salary


Dts d koko..

lolz

Well said

rubbish after as am concern there was never an election in ekiti state period

Enough of this PDP and APC brouhaha. Are we practicing two parties System in Nigeria? Everything about Nigeria politics now revolves around APC and PDP. Rubbish.

At times I just dress good, look into the mirror, then go back to my bed and start shedding tears of joy because MONEY GO FIT ME�

I hate fayose.....

Poli tric cians is at it again

Poli trick cians is at it again

There's only one reason PDP lost, the reason is that APC rigged the election.

a

Chiwetalu Agu voice; "You are writting yan yanpu"

hypertension:
Hey, Forget those many reasons up there



PDP LOST BECAUSE OF TRIBALISM

You must be right. Why did they field eleka, an Igbo man?

That must be why PDP lost to APGA in anambra last year. Obiano and tribalism!!!

One thing that Fayose fails to understand is, the two times he won governorship elections he had the backing of sitting Presidents, Obasanjo and Jonathan. Everyone knows what Obasanjo did during his time and for Jonathan he had, Ekitigate is there for everyone that cares. People that won governorship elections without support of President are the true grassroots mobilizer.

Very cleaned and cleared observations

Civil servants are in every local government area. They are the best people to sound a governors praise.
When you don't pay civil servants, then your loss is certain. Even if you like pay up all arrears a day to the election, you will still loss.

PDP WAS SIMPLY RIGGED OUT

Welcome Fulani herdsmen soonest

fayose neglected other areas in ekiti, he made people from ado and ikere superior to those from other places. people also realised that fayose was running a one man show and his foot soldiers were not whole heartedly supporting him

PDP did not lost the election it was just that the people that asked Fayemi to go and take over Ekiti state had sworn that over their dead body should Fayose or anyone linked to him should continue.

Fayose should run away because they will surely deal with him. They are blood thirsty.

Comprehensive and factual analysis.

Bros forget all this ur reason, its rigged. if its not rig, why did INEC delete the result from their website this morning hahahah confuse people. Nigerians are wiser.

hmmmmm

Authoreety:
How can u be shouting stomach infrastructure without paying salaries for a long time..


Haba, peter no fear God at all...


If he had bn up2date on salaries, no amount of rigging could hav stopped pdp jst like wat hapnd in anambra!
Apc tried in anambra,bt failed cos nobody wanted to gamble wt his or her salary


Dts d koko..

How can he fear God....someone that denied Christ 3 times