ADO EKITI — THE Governor of Cross Rivers State, Mr Donald Duke has called on the people of Ekiti State to show more understanding and support for Governor Ayo Fayose, saying he, Fayose, is still new in the act of administering a complex state like Ekiti.
Duke, who was on a private visit to Ekiti State, told newsmen at the Palace of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe that he was in Ekiti state to compare notes with his colleagues on development programmes. The governor noted that the people of the state owed it as an obligation to support the young governor since they have willingly given him a mandate to serve them for the next four years.
‘‘One thing I want you to know is that if your governor succeeds, it is the people of the state who have succeeded, if on the other way round, he fails, it is the people who have failed.
“Whether we like it or not, we must support him, for he is human after all, and being a first timer governor, he is bound to make mistakes, the governor further declared.
Mr. Duke further disclosed that his visit to the state has afforded him the opportunity to see some of the people-oriented programmes like provision of road, water, and other infrastructural facilities embarked upon by the state governor.
He, however, commended Mr Fayose for the modest achievements recorded in the state just about a year and four months in office
Speaking earlier, the state governor, Mr Fayose said the decision of Mr Duke to pay him a visit was taken a couple of days ago when they both met in Abuja, maybe to reciprocate his earlier visit to Calabar earlier this year.
In his own speech, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe commended Mr Duke for his visit, noting that the friendship between the two governors would further cement relationship between the people of the two states,
Oba Adejugbe who used the opportunity of the visit to comment on the strained relationship between the state governor, Mr Fayose and the chairman of Ado Ekiti Local Government, Mr Taye Fasuba, saying the misunderstanding was caused due to what he described as ‘‘communication gap between a father and a son’’.
The monarch further commended Mr. Fayose for managing the economy of the state prudently, saying Mr Fayose is managing poverty without recourse to borrowing money either within or outside the country.
