Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, has said strong faith in God and not giving in to fear are some of the things that keep him going even in the face of turbulent and traumatic political happenings.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti at a state dinner organised to mark the first year of his second term in office, the governor said he is always thankful to God for making him overcome political hurdles placed on his path by opponents.
In a release by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, yesterday, the governor described the period between April and the first week of June this year as another traumatic period in his political life.

“The beginning of April till the first week of June this year was traumatic. This was because what the opposition lost in the poll, when they were roundly defeated in all the 16 local governments of the state, they wanted to take back through the back door. I thank God that in such situations, I don’t take to fear. For me, courage is a virtue.
“For me, I will see what is pursuing me before I run. When there are difficult and trying periods, some people will come to the Government House to see what the face and the countenance of the governor will look like. As a leader, when you lack courage, what do you want the followers to do?

While thanking the people of the state for their support so far, he charged those working with him to show 100 per cent loyalty.

Governor Fayose, who gave his scorecard to the people, noted that the previous administration left the state in a comatose position.

He reiterated his determination to leave the state better than he met it, saying paucity of funds would not stop his drive.

The Deputy Governor, Dr Kolapo Olusola, in his remarks, said it had been interesting working with the governor, just as he pledged the support and loyalty of other members of the cabinet to the governor and urged the people of the state to defend the administration always.

“I don’t take to fear, after all it appointed for man to be born and to die once. I am not moved by small things. Most of the time when accident occurs, it is not the fact that an accident has occurred that kills most people, but fear and trauma. I also appreciate God for giving me faith in Him to say prophetic things.

“The video we just watched now, where I was interviewed at the thick of the plot to remove me as governor in 2006, some people will be wondering why is this man that is almost going down saying he will be back again when all odds are against him, but remember that God said He will be our present help in time of troubles,” he said.

The governor also added that he would not revenge any wrong doing done to him by anybody in the past because “everything work for good.”

“When I believe in a cause and trust somebody as my leader, I don’t show disloyalty. I will stand by you till the end. When President Goodluck Jonathan lost the election, some people expected that I would abandon him, I don’t behave that way. Even though there were certain things I expected from him for our state and even appointment of some of our people, when he lost, he did not want to touch or dabble into some things again and I understood his position. But that was not enough for me to abandon him,” he stressed.

“I am a student of the school of leadership and I have found a leader worthy of emulation and one that must be understudied. He is a visionary leader and a transformational one. I want to believe that what we have seen here is just the beginning, greater things are coming,” he noted.