The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bisi Kolawole, was absent on Sunday as six of the 16 candidates contesting the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State signed a pact with people of the state to usher in good and responsive governance if elected.

The candidates signed the pact at a programme organised by the Justice Development and Peace Initiative (JDPI) of the Catholic Mission, in partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Ekiti Council of Elders.

The candidates, who signed the pact include Biodun Oyebanji of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC); Chief Segun Oni, Social Democratic Party (SDP); Dr Wole Oluyede of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Mrs Kemi Elebute-Halle of Action Democratic Party (ADP); Mr Debo Ajayi of the Young Progressive Party (YPP); and Mr Ben Agboola of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

A few other governorship candidates were absent at the programme.

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In his remarks, the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, Most Revd. Felix Ajakaye, urged the candidates to refrain from walking away after winning or losing the election.

Ajakaye advised the candidates to go into the race with love, rather than acrimony.

He said they should be ready to support whosoever emerge as the winner at the poll, “if truly they love Ekiti, as the culture of walking away after elections should stop”.

Commenting, the Chairman, Council of Obas in Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon, urged whoever emerged the winner gubernatorial election to extend the hands of fellowship to others and share ideas to move the state forward.

On his part, Revd (Fr.), Emmanuel Akingbade, the Director, Justice Development and Peace Initiative, said manifesto of whoever emerged as the governor should be printed out and pasted on the bill boards across the state.

The Star