The outgoing Ekiti State Governor , Ayodele Fayose, left the state on Sunday amid hailing and emotional farewell from his admirers .
He had earlier on Saturday embarked on a ‘Thank you walk ’ around major streets of Ado Ekiti, where he received accolades from traders, artisans and other residents of the state.
Fayose, clad in a T- shirt and a pair of jean trousers, climbed through the open roof of his Lexus jeep carrying a board with the inscription, “Ekiti -Kete , Thank You All and Goodbye . ”
On Sunday, tears rolled down the cheeks of many who lined up the streets to bid him farewell en route to the Akure Airport , Ondo State , where he had to board a flight .
The second term tenure of the governor ends midnight of Monday (today ) , while he has a date to keep with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday by 1 pm.
Earlier at a thanksgiving held in his honour at the Government ’ s House Chapel, Fayose, in an emotion-laden voice , thanked the people for their support.
He told the people that he would always be with them, urging them to trust in God for a better future for him and the state.
The event was attended by traditional rulers led by their chairman and Oloye of Oye -Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju ; and the Ewi of Ado- Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe .
Also at the event were Mrs . Feyi Fayose; the outgoing Deputy-Governor , Prof. Kolapo Olusola , and his wife , Janet ; the Chief of Staff, Dipo Anisulowo ; Head of Service , Dr. Gbenga Faseluka; Secretary to the State Government , Mrs. Modupe Alade; former Speaker, Kola Oluwawole; members of the national and state assembly, and members of the cabinet, among others .
At the event , Feyi said her husband would come back to Ekiti a triumphant man .
“We are coming back ; I don’ t know how , but I have 200 per cent assurances,” she said.
Fayose said he was leaving a contented and fulfilled man .
He said, “ I ’ m contented, I’ m happy and I say thank you . Don ’t be discouraged, don’ t worry about me , I will come back . I will rise to the glory of God . I have enjoyed uncommon grace ; I will never complain but thank God . ”
Fayose told Oluwawole, who was impeached as Speaker on Thursday by 14 members of the state’ s House of Assembly , not to fight back .
“I don’ t want you to trouble your mind , there won’ t be testimonies without battles. Go and concede defeat in the overall interest of Ekiti . You were removed illegally but let God fight for you. ”
In his sermon entitled , “ Affliction shall not rise the second time , ” the Chaplain of the Government House , Revd . Seyi Olusola , said a man must be ready to face affliction if he must rise .
“Don ’ t allow anything to trouble your mind , always come to God ,” he said .
Meanwhile, Fayose on Sunday left for the Abuja office of the EFCC .
He said he was not scared of the detention of the anti-graft agency, adding that he wanted to go the EFCC deliberately in order not to give the impression that he would flee after handing over to his successor .
Speaking with our correspondent at the Akure Airport , Akure , Ondo State capital , where he boarded the plane to Abuja , the governor said he was always available for questions or interrogations.
He said , “ My tenure expires on the 16 th of October; this is the journey to Abuja . It is safer to be in Abuja than to be in Lagos and be creating the impression that you want to escape . There is no seaport in Abuja. The EFCC doesn’ t need any drama; I am a man of courage . I have told them I’ m coming and I ’ m on my way to them.
“So, after a meritorious service, anybody who wants to call me to question , I ’m available to them, just one call away and my going now is my demonstration to them that I ’m a man of my words .
“I ’ m not scared of anything . I always say to the people that the life of a man does not consist in the abundance of what he has. Life is for the courageous, not for the weak . I have served well, I have defended the common man in this country and I will continue to defend them.
“I will never be cowed by anybody . It is important to speak truth to power; I will not allow myself or any Nigerian to be oppressed . ”
Fayose also declared that he remained the leader of the people of Ekiti State and would continue to defend them .
“In or out of office, I am always their leader . Ekiti comes first above everything and anybody and we will continue to defend our people , “ he stressed.
