The Ekiti State Legislative Forum, an association of former members of the House of Assembly, has expressed support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Kayode Fayemi.

In a communique at the end of their meeting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, at the weekend, members expressed confidence in Fayemi’s sincerity of purpose and competence to salvage Ekiti from what they called its “present quaqmire”.

The group expressed sadness over the alleged parlous condition of the state in the face of abundant human and material resources that can turn her fortunes around for good.

The ex-legislators accused Governor Ayo Fayose of reversing the fortunes that Ekiti State had made since creation, owing to his alleged bad policies that have scared away investors and impoverish the people.

The communiqué reads: “With Fayemi having the opportunity to lead, we have to set aside partisanship to support a man that will give our people hope again.

“We appreciate all development and life-lifting initiatives of the last administration of Dr Kayode Fayemi particularly those initiatives made in alleviating poverty among the elderly people that were receiving monthly stipend in social security to give them hope for survival, including the empowerment schemes that moved Ekiti State youths from the streets for productive engagements.

“Unfortunately, another Ekiti son, Governor Fayose came with deceit and lies and cancelled all these schemes to return these poor elderly people to their pitiful conditions again while our youths have returned to crimes.”

The group praised Ekiti people, particularly APC members, that demonstrated oneness of spirit by turning out massively to welcome Fayemi back home after serving as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to vie for the governorship of the state for quality service to Ekiti people.

They condemned the shooting at the APC rally that hit a former member of the House of Representatives, Opeyemi Bamidele, saying such unfortunate incident would have been avoided if the security agencies had been more alert to their responsibility “in a state where opposition members are routinely hounded”. They promised to work with relevant campaign committees at the local and state government levels to rally support for Fayemi to emerge victorious.

This article was first published in The Nation