The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Thursday, asked the people of Ondo State to protect their votes ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Fayose spoke in Akure during a rally held at the Democracy Park along the Oba Adesida Road shortly after the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), arrived in Akure.

Fayose, who joined Jegede during the campaign tour of the state capital, said the PDP would resist any attempt to rig the poll.

The governor led the supporters in solidarity songs with the cheering crowd.


He alleged that the Federal Government was planning to rig the election for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

He said, “You have to stand strong on Saturday. Votes must be counted in your presence. There is a difference between a struggle and a movement.  Both are different from (political) parties. The movement is that Eyitayo must be governor of Ondo State.”

The rally caused a gridlock in the state capital, as the campaign train of the PDP candidate took over major roads.

Scores of party supporters took to the streets to celebrate the Appeal Court judgement which recognised Jegede as the authentic candidate of the party.

From Oyemekun Road to NEPA, Arakale, Alagbaka, Isikan, Oluwatuyi, Ijapo, Stadium Road, Hospital Road, Owode, Araromi, and Ilesa Garage areas, the PDP supporters were agog with excitement.

Some banks also closed earlier than usual.  For instance, the First Bank branch at the Alagbaka area of the state capital closed by 1pm.

There were also long queues at the ATM points as residents made frantic efforts to withdraw in anticipation of cash shortage on the election day.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Government has declared Friday (today) as public holiday to enable workers to prepare for Saturday’s governorship election.

The government, in a statement issued by the state Head of Service, Toyin Akinkuotu, directed the heads of the MDAs to inform workers in their offices.