Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the forthcoming June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, who is facing corruption charges in court, is rallying support from party members with the promise to do better as Governor if given a second chance.

Fayose is being tried at the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti for misappropriating over N400 million between 2003 and 2006 when he was governor of the state.

But, he he said at the national secretariat of PDP in Abuja when he went to collect his certificate of return that his emergence as the party’s candidate was a rare opportunity given by God for him to rule the state again and urged his fellow contestants in the primary to pardon him for whatever they considered as their grievance and support him to reclaim Ekiti for the PDP.

The former governor said his desire to rule the state again was aimed at improving the lot of the people and not to stand on the way of anybody.

“I want them to know that I am Ayo Fayose, 12 years older, more responsible, more experienced and I will listen to them and work with them,” he said.

National chairman of the party, Adamu Mu’azu, urged politicians to lay aside godfatherism and focus their attention on God in their bid to acquire political power.

He said that under his leadership, democracy would be deepened at all levels of the party and congratulated Fayose for emerging as the party’s candidate, while also appealing to those who contested with him to join the party and its candidate to win the election.

“I assure you that under my leadership, not only would we recognise your contributions and efforts, we will also make sure that you are rewarded,” he said.

Muazu expressed hope that PDP would reclaim Government House, Ado-Ekiti, if party members worked hard in unity.

Fayose emerged the party’s candidate at the party’s primary conducted in Ado-Ekiti on March 22.

Only last Thursday, the court in Ado Ekiti insisted that Fayose’s trial must continue, refusing a motion by his counsel to defer proceedings until July to allow the PDP flag bearer concentrate on his election campaign.

He has been facing trial since 2009 for stealing over N400 million belonging to Ekiti State through a bogus poultry scheme and other means.