Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, said on Sunday that he was happy that his administration would be succeeded by that of the former Secretary to State Government, Biodun Oyebanji, now governor-elect, which he said would let the state see the beauty of democracy.

Fayemi, who expressed confidence that Oyebanji would continue and build on the successes of his administration on assumption of office in October, assured the people there would not be abandoned projects in the state.

The governor spoke in Ado Ekiti during the 2022 Udiroko Festival of the community, where he congratulated the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe and Ado Ekiti indigenes.

He said, “Our government has done so much for Ado. We have the airport project and modern bus terminal project nearing completion, the ultra-modern market in front of the palace here and other projects we have completed in the state capital.

Fayemi, who said Ekiti people should not entertain any fear of the projects, said, “There won’t be abandoned projects in Ekiti again. I am happy to leave you in the safe hands of Biodun Oyebanji who was part of the successes of our administration. Ekiti people will see the beauty of continuity we have been clamouring for in the Oyebanji government. We have no doubt about his capabilities to deliver.”

Former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, who is the Aare Akinjagunla of Ado Ekiti, praised the traditional ruler’s efforts in the development of Ado Ekiti.

He charged the governments to collaborate with traditional institutions with a view to overcoming the myriad of challenges confronting the country

The Ewi, Oba Adejugbe, who, in his “speech from the throne”, described the 2022 Udiroko Festival as “a much-desired restoration of the core of our cultural existence”, lauded all sons and daughters of the community for their support and prayers and the successful ceremony.

Oba Adejugbe sought the support of all Nigerians to governments to tackle and overcome the rising problems of insecurity, particularly in the context of banditry, kidnappings, herdsmen attacks and other vices in the country.

The monarch said, “The way things are in the context of these crippling problems requires that all our hands as citizens must be on deck in supporting the government to make our nation a place that can be habited without trepidations. We must continue to be our brother’s keepers.

“At this time of global and domestic economic hardship, unemployment, multiple health challenges, inflation, stagflation, depressive human existence occasioned by dehydrating exchange rates, global unrest, wars and conflicts in many parts of the world, it is important that we, as a people, must co-operatively strife to meet these challenges with determination and concrete hope that better days are ahead,” the Ewi said.