The people of Ekiti State are set to elect their governor today, in a political battle field majorly dominated by the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress [APC], Dr. Kayode Fayemi and a ‘scantily-known’ Prof. Lolapo Olusola-Eleka of Peoples Democratic Party [PDP], who is gigantically backed by the state’s incumbent governor, Ayodele Fayose.

So far, the election has gotten heavy attention both in the local and international space and this is connected with the fact that the voting exercise will majorly serve as a timely indicator of what the future holds for APC and President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 presidential bid.

The 2019 litmus test for President Buhari in Ekiti gubernatorial election is undoubtedly what triggered the tension between the ruling party, APC and its opposition, PDP. If not, a governorship election involving just one state in the federation, would not have come an avenue for the power seekers to heat up the entire polity.

Recall that before Buhari assumed office as Nigeria’s President, Governor Fayose of Ekiti had been a front-line antagonist of his [Buhari] administration. In the heat of the 2014 presidential campaign Fayose placed several anti-Buhari adverts in the media space that many analyst described as unfit for public consumption, in fact, he went as far as saying the Buhari will meet his death in in power.

In 2015, when Buhari finally took office after defeating Goodluck Jonathan, the governor teamed up with his counterpart, Nyesom Wike in Rivers State, and continued to fire his salvo at the former head of state and it is a known secret the Buhari-led government detests Fayose’s gut but waited patiently for today, #Ekitielection, as its judgement day or better said its bests opportunity to strip him of power.

For Buhari, Ekiti election is more than rising up to his party’s call, and that is why his support for Fayemi transcends the love a father has for his biological son, it is a privilege for him to silent a vociferous enemy. Buhari did not openly campaigned for support for Fayemi, he also gave him a massive physical presence of the presidency – recall how the Federal Government displayed its might against Fayose in the last minute, especially with the deployment of over 30,000 policemen to the state.

For own posterity sake, Fayose has assumed more dramatic roles in the script of who becomes the next governor in the state, backing his deputy, Eleka, whom many see as puppet.

Read what APC said of Fayose/Eleka’s relationship:“Somehow, Fayose has contrived to make this election about himself. But it is not. The contest is between Dr. Fayemi and the Professor that has continued to hide behind Fayose’s fingers.What is clear to every voter in Ekiti is that to vote for this Professor is to hand Fayose a third term.”

One of the biggest test for Buhari today is that of his ‘popularity’. The All Progressive Congress according to critics are not in their best moment and this many believed has reduced the acceptance once given to the ‘Buhari-brand’.

In 2014, APC sold Buhari to Nigerians as the anti-corruption warlord and the messiah who will bring ‘change’ to the country – Nigerians fell for it. However, the reality today is far from the lofty campaign promises proposed by the Buhari-led government.

Apart from battling recession at the very beginning of his administration, a time that many of Buhari’s critics see as the karma visited on his ardent supported.

The former head of state has equally not done too well on the anti-corruption front which is perceived to be the President’s strongest strength. Unfortunately, Nigeria has fared worse in global corruption ratings under the former head of state.

Today, the Buhari government is labelled by governor Fayose as a killer-govt’ due to the activities of herdsmen. This has done a lot of damage to the President’s reputation.

Also very critical for political calculations is how well APC will function considering the internal crisis the party is facing at the time. Just some weeks ago, a factionalised group, R-APC broke out of the party and today’s election will explain the strength of what remains of APC.

By Sunday, the results will be ready and if Fayose’s anointed candidate, Olusola-Eleka defeats Buhari’s man, Fayemi then the chances of President Buhari in 2019 will be threatened by the outcome.

Meanwhile, victory for APC will imply an easy ride for President Buhari in his second term ambition, a loss could indicate the resurrection of PDP, a party once considered by APC as dead.

But for democracy to continue to thrive in Nigeria, both parties should ensure the electorate are given a fair chance to freely decide who becomes the next governor of the state.