Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has cleared the air on why he was present at the presidential declaration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun in Abuja.
Recall that Fayemi had declared his own presidential ambition a day before.
Tongues began to wag on Wednesday when Amosun appeared at Fayemi’s declaration, as many wondered what shenanigans might be in the offing.
On Thursday, Fayemi returned the gesture, saying he and Amosun have come a long way.
The Ekiti State Governor said people should not be surprised that he attended the event, noting that they their presidential aspirations were spurred by altruism.
He added that that Amosun had always had always stood by him.
“Some people are surprised that I am here and I don’t really see any reason why you should be surprised at all. Senator Amosun and I go back a long way and he has always been there for me. He was at my declaration yesterday as many of you may be aware. Even though I’m supposed to be in Ebonyi State now on a trip with Mr President, I had to beg to be allowed to be present here, because I think this is important for our country.”
According to Fayemi, all presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are in the race to improve human condition, stressing that no one should have any sense of entitlement.
“What we are all about, at least in our own party, is the improvement of human condition; it is to transform the lives of ordinary Nigerians and this is not an entitlement. None of us should have any sense of entitlement. We should depend on the gratitude and grace of ordinary members of this party and the grace of God Almighty.
“This is what I know Senator Amosun to be as a human being, as a believer in God and as a compassionate Nigerian. Many have talked about his generosity. He is a forthright person; he is not a manipulative person; he is not a disingenuous person, he is straight forward. He is frank, sometimes to a fault.
“Running for office is something he is doing out of conviction and he has demonstrated this in the previous assignments that he has held.”
Fayemi said he was struck by the similarity of their speeches, which he said, “shows that we come from the same ideological orientation.”
While saying the aspiration “is not about quarreling,” Fayemi maintained that, “All I can say in conclusion is that you can be sure that between Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Dr Kayode Fayemi, whichever way it goes, you will have us in the tent, not outside the tent.
“You are spoiled for choice between two brothers and I am sure you will arrive at an appropriate conclusion.”