Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has condemned the statement credited to a former governor of the state, Mr. Segun Oni, that the Peoples Democratic Party’s victory in the state has not proved Fayose’s popularity.

According to the governor, Oni could not appreciate the popularity of other politicians or value it because he had never been a popular politician and neither had he won election in his life.

Fayose, Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Adelusi, said as a politician, Oni had always relied on godfathers to impose himself on the people due to his unpopularity.

Adelusi, counselled Oni to stop castigating Fayose who removed the reproach placed on him by former Governor, Kayode Fayemi, who took away his (Oni) photographs from the Governor’s Office, insisting that only a successful politician will be able to appreciate what it takes to win in an election.

Adelusi wondered what Oni considers as popularity if Fayose, who came back to defeat an APC governor in all 16 local governments and still trounced the same party in the 2015 general election, is not, adding that Oni has never won any election in his life.

According to Adelusi, Oni came third in the 2006 PDP governorship primary as the godfathers imposed him on the party.

“Segun Oni did not win the 2007 governorship election which informed the nullification of his election by the court,” adding that the former governor was also removed by the court as the PDP National Vice-Chairman (South-West) because he was imposed.

Adelusi said: “How do you compare Segun Oni, who was always removed from office by the court due to unpopularity with Fayose, who has always won elections and whose elections have always been affirmed by the court?”