The Nation Newspaper

Category: Ekiti 2018

  • Don’t waste your votes, elect Fayemi, Buhari tells Ekiti electorate

    President Muhamadu Buhari on Tuesday asked the electorate in Ekiti  not to waste their votes  in Saturday’s governorship election.

    Rather,  the president urged voters to elect the candidate of the All Progressives Party (APC),  Dr  Kayode Fayemi, given the track record of the ruling APC  administration in the country.

    Buhari, who gave the charge in Ado-Ekiti  at the grand finale of the mega rally of the party, told the crowd of party faithful and supporters at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium that there was no better alternative to Fayemi.

    He said the people of Ekiti must not be deceived  by the “stomach infrastructure’’ programme  of the PDP government in the state, describing it as at variance with the norms in a functional democracy.

    Buhari said he was in  Ekiti not only to campaign for Fayemi but also to create  awareness as well as sensitise the people on the dividends of democracy so far made available to them.

    The president said his administration had so far executed 13 projects  in the state, with no fewer than 29 contractors handling them.

    He said the initiatives, most of which were  road construction projects,  had also provided direct and indirect jobs to  many residents.

    Besides, he said approval had been given by his administration for the construction of a Federal Secretariat in Ado Ekiti to ease the burden of  office accommodation faced by federal workers in the state.

    He also listed the engagement of many indigenes of the state in  the N-Power programme of the Federal Government, granting of  bailout funds to  the state as well as approval of School-Feeding Programme and Conditional Cash Transfer scheme as some of the achievements of  his administration.

    The president assured  the people of the state of more dividends of democracy if they support Fayemi in the election.

    Also addressing the crowd, the National Chairman of the party, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, said Fayemi  would redress all the wrongs of the Ayo Fayose administration.

    He also gave an assurance that all the salaries and emoluments owed workers by the Fayose administration would be paid.

    Speaking in the same vein, the National Leader of the party, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  assured residents  that the APC was committed to the progress and development of the country.

    He accused the PDP of destroying the country’s economy, urging the people to embrace the change agenda of the APC.

    ” It was the PDP that destroyed the future of Nigeria and those yet unborn. PDP stole all the monies and made life difficult for all the citizens

    ” It is not easy to rebuild what the PDP has spent long years destroying; for  many of them that are now complaining,  where were they when our economy was being bastardised?

    ” You must not allow anybody to  intimidate you, I urge you to guard  your PVC and use it wisely on Saturday

    ” It is your turn in Ekiti to get a good government, it is not for you alone but for your children and their future,’’  Tinubu said.

    At the rally were 12 APC governors, seven serving ministers and national leaders of the party.

    The high point  of the event was the formal defection to   the APC  by  many PDP members including a  serving Senator,  Fatimah Raji-Rasaki, and a member of  the House of  Representatives, Oni Olamide.

     

  • Ekiti governorship poll: PSC to sanction erring police officers

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) said it would discipline any police officer found wanting in the discharge of his or her duties during the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti.

    The commission’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Ani said that officers on electoral duties in Ekiti were expected to turn out for duty neat and in their prescribed uniform and identification and name tag.

    He said that officers on duty were also not allowed to have on them un-authorised item of accoutrement, kit like cudgel, horsewhip etc.

    “At no time will police personnel deployed to polling units be allowed to carry firearms,“he said.

    The spokesman said involvement of the personnel at political gatherings shall be limited to the maintenance of peace and order and enforcement of extant laws.

    He said that officers shall at all time exercise maximum restraint while covering political gatherings or deployed at voting or collation centres.

    Read Also: PLSG embarks on completion of road projects

    He said the officers must be cautious, polite and firm at all times.

    “The commission monitors will be looking out for officers who will compromise these laid down rules and guidelines and will expect the electorate in Ekiti to call its dedicated lines to report any case of misconduct.

    “The commission wishes to state that it will continue to discharge its Constitutional responsibilities and ensure that the police operate within the confines of the law,“he said.

    The commission will be deploying a team of officials led by its Permanent Secretary, Musa Istifanus, to monitor the conduct of policemen on duty during the election.

    Three dedicated telephone lines have been provided for residents for compliants on conduct of policemen during the election.

    They are: 08059702950 for Ekiti North Zone, 08033010905, for Ekiti South Zone and 08088155981 for Ekiti Central zone.

    NAN

  • Photos: Ekiti APC governorship rally

    President Muhammadu Buhari and other APC chieftains are present in Ekiti for the APC Governorship rally.

    The rally is holding at Olukayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

    The  rally is to canvass for votes for the party’s candidate Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

     

  • Ekiti Election: NBC urges broadcasters to abide by broadcasting code

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has urged all broadcasting stations that would cover the Ekiti Governorship elections to do so in conformity with the provisions of the Broadcasting Code.

    The Director-General of NBC, Malam Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, stressed the need for broadcasting stations to respect the provisions relating to coverage of elections.

    He drew the attention of broadcasters to the following sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

    “Section 5.2. and Section 12 stipulated that all partisan political broadcasts, campaigns, jingles, announcements and the use of all forms of partisan political party identifications or symbols on air shall end not later than twenty-four hours before polling day.

    “Also sections 5.2 and 14 stated that a broadcaster shall not use any vote obtained at different polling stations or from exit polls, to project or speculate on the chances of the candidates.

    Read Also:NBC vows to sanction erring broadcast station on political reporting code

    “Similarly, sections 5.2 and 15 stated that a broadcaster shall broadcast election results or declaration of the winner only as announced by the authorised electoral officer for the election,” he said.

    The DG said all broadcast stations had a duty to promote sustainable democracy in Nigeria and warned that appropriate sanctions would be meted out to any erring station that operates outside the confines of the code.

    “This is in accordance with section 14.0.1 which states that the commission shall impose sanctions for any breach arising from monitoring and all complaints received on the content or conduct of a broadcast station.”

    Kawu, therefore, reiterated that broadcast organisations were expected to exercise freedom of expression as agents of society, not for any personal or sectional rights, privileges and needs of their own or of their proprietors, relatives, or supporters as highlighted in the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

    NAN

  • Ekiti residents defy Fayose’s order to stay at home

    Many residents of Ekiti State on Tuesday defied the order of Governor Ayo Fayose to stay at home as the All Progressives Congress (APC) holds its final mega rally.

    Fayose had on Monday night directed commercial drivers and motorcyclists to withdraw their services from the roads on a day President Muhammadu Buhari was visiting.

    The governor also ordered that major markets in the city be closed and residents stay indoors.

    Many commercial drivers parked their vehicles at the Government House lawn where Fayose an all night party held. He also promised to give each driver that complied N10,000.

    He claimed that he took the action to prevent the killing of his people by Buhari’s men whom he alleged were ready to spill blood.

    Fayose said the transporters would remain indoors until 4.00 pm when the APC rally would have ended.

    Normal commercial activities went on unabated on Tuesday with a good number of commercial drivers and motorcyclists plying their trade.

    Taxi cabs and okada riders picked passengers at bus stops along Ikere Road, Ilawe Road, Adebayo, Old Garage, Basiri, Old Garage, Odo Ado, Oke Ila, among others.

    Market women had thronged Oja Oba and Bisi Markets as soon as 6.00 in defiance of Fayose’s order that the market be closed.

    Read Also: Court orders Fayose to reinstate sacked TUC chair

    APC members were seen in many parts of the city trooping to the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium venue of the rally.

    A motorist who was apparently angry with Fayose’s late night order said nobody could stop him from pursuing his livelihood.

    He said: “Fayose is only afraid of his impending and unavoidable defeat, and that, that is the reason he is trying to do everything possible to frustrate the opposition parties in the state.”

    An Okada rider said: “Just to ensure that we do not come out to work today, he told us to come to NNPC on Bank Road on Monday night to collect 2 litres of fuel each, he also told us to come to Government House to eat food. This is very ridiculous and low of a state government.”

  • APC solution to four years of frustration in Ekiti, says Tinubu

    National leader of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has appealed to the people of Ekiti to vote for the party in Saturday’s governorship election.

    He said the APC is the solution to four years of frustration, disappointment and poverty that had enveloped the state, since the emergence of Governor Ayodele Fayose in 2014.

    Tinubu in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said APC is the only party that can improve Nigeria in all sectors.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is expected in Ekiti tomorrow to meet with the traditional rulers, APC leaders and supporters  as well close the rally of the APC candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

    Tinubu said: “We thank the people of Ekiti for being kind and hospitable to us all along. We, the leaders of APC are here to greet Ekiti people and commend them for being tolerant to the maladministration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the emergence of the APC at the Federal level and Ekiti, in particular.

    “We have had 16 years of maladministration, bad governance, misrule and series of complaints on our economy, education, non-development and several other segments of our country. It is all from the poor foundation laid by the PDP government for 16 years and thank God for our timely intervention at the federal level, the nation would have collapsed.

    “The only remnant of them is Ekiti. I want to appeal to you that Dr Kayode Fayemi, the candidate of our party in the Saturday election, is our brother and colleague and has learnt a great lesson about governance.

    “ That is why we, the leaders in the party are standing as guarantors of the commitments that definitely Ekiti will experience rapid development if you vote for our party and we appeal to you to vote Dr Kayode Fayemi as the next governor of Ekiti, “he said.

    The former Lagos governor reminded the youths that  “the future is yours and the government is ours. The APC is ready to lay the foundation for a better future for you. Don’t because of two slices of bread today mortgage your future.

    “Don’t because of intimidation of a lone ranger fail to exercise your franchise. The broom is a bunch of unity, the symbol we offer to you today is the broom. We want you to vote en masse, there will not be violence or intimidation. All I am appealing is that you should give APC a chance to show its worth to the people of Ekiti.”

    Former interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, said Saturday’s election is a must for the party to win.

    He said Ekiti cannot afford to be in the opposition in the Southwest.

    “The Saturday election will go in peace. It is therefore time for all Yoruba to come together. Ekiti cannot afford to be in the opposition. It is certain that APC will win on Saturday,” he declared.

    The winner of the Saturday election will be inaugurated on October 16.

    Apart from Tinubu and Akande in the state ahead of President Buhari, other leaders already in the state are former Governors Segun Osoba, (Ogun), Segun Oni, (Ekiti) and the Deputy Chairman (South) of the party, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, the first democratically elected governor of Ekiti in 1999.

    Others are, Governors of Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu, Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Kebbi State Governor Isa Bagudu, who is also the Chairman of the Campaign Committee of the Ekiti governorship election.

  • Party supporters disrupt INEC, stakeholders’ meeting

    A stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the governorship election in Ekiti State ended abruptly yesterday. It was disrupted by party supporters.

    INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris, traditional rulers, diplomats and other dignitaries watched the show of shame in disbelief.

    Governorship candidates, party leaders, traditional rulers and other dignitaries left the venue abruptly, as party faithful, mainly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) engaged one another in a shouting match.

    The parley, which was held at Great Eagle Hall, Ikere Road, Ajebamidele, Ado-Ekiti, went on smoothly until organisers invited comments and questions from party representatives.

    The row was sparked by comments made by the PDP representative, Dr. Samuel Omotoso, who raised concerns over alleged attacks and arrest of members of his party in some communities in Oye Local Government.

    Omotoso, member of the House of Assembly, accused the APC candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, of boasting that he would be declared winner of Saturday’s election, “whether he loses or not”.

    He also accused security agencies of partisanship in the build-up to the election which, he said, would not provide an atmosphere for a free and fair contest.

    The lawmaker’s refusal to adhere to the two minutes allotted angered supporters of other parties, especially the APC faithful who became restive with his constant mentioning of their candidate’s name.

    The audience, who wanted representatives of other parties and other stakeholders to be given the chance to address the gathering, urged organisers to stop Omotoso for using more than the time allocated.

    Apparently uncomfortable with the allegation against Fayemi, the APC members raised their voices to shout Omotoso down, but the PDP members responded by chanting their party slogan.

    The PDP members who appeared to outnumber their APC counterparts inside the hall surged forward and started shouting “Eleka Ibo”.

    “Eleka Ibo,” hailing their candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola who is also the deputy governor.

    As the PDP members surged forward, policemen and other security operatives inside the hall formed a ring around the high table where Yakubu, Idris and other dignitaries sat.

    As the party members’ unruly behavior continued, the Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Obas, who is also the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, took over the microphone and urged party members to be orderly.

    They defied the monarch and continued the row. This compelled the candidates to leave the hall, one after the other.

    First to leave was the Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN) candidate, Chief Adebisi Omoyeni, who was followed by Accord candidate, Chief Abiodun Aluko, Labour Party (LP) candidate, Dr. Sikiru Lawal, Fayemi, Olusola and others.

    Earlier, the IGP disclosed that 4, 390 combined forces of soldiers and paramilitary personnel will be deployed to complement the 30,000 policemen that have been drafted to Ekiti to monitor the election.

    Idris added that Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations), an Assistant Inspector General of Police and five Commissioners of Police will be in charge to give directive and ensure that the election is conducted under conducive atmosphere.

    Idris warned political leaders and their supporters to refrain from arming thugs, saying anybody arrested will be prosecuted in line with the rule of law and laws guiding the conduct of elections.

    He said: “We want all party supporters to refrain from all acts that can precipitate violence at the polling booths, such as canvassing for votes, wearing of party insignias, dissuading voters from voting for candidates of their choices, loitering and blaring of siren on the day of election.

    “We will also not tolerate ignoring of restriction of movement orders by the police. Don’t see election as a matter of life and death.”

    “Let me state that police will not hesitate to deal with anybody no matter how highly placed found flouting electoral laws.

  • Okada riders get free fuel from Fayemi

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Dr. Kayode Fayemi  yesterday provided free petrol to commercial motorcycle riders in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

    The supply of free fuel was launched at Mobil Petrol Station on Ikere Road in Ajilosun, with the riders forming long queues to benefit from the gesture.

    Many of the beneficiaries decorated their bikes with the posters of Fayemi. They got five litres of fuel each in the scheme which continues on Tuesday.

    The filling station was besieged by the riders as soon as the news spread that free fuel was being supplied at the outlet.

    The APC candidate urged the riders not to collect transport fare from the commuters they would be conveying.

    Fayemi’s appearance at about 10.45 am turned the filling station to a carnival as the riders hailed his gesture and recalled what he did for their unions during his first tenure.

    The APC candidate urged the riders to ignore the allegation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) camp that he would ban commercial motorcycle operations, if he wins the July 14 poll. Fayemi said rather than banning the okada business, he would give the operators more incentives, including soft loans, equipment and provide good roads to aid their operation.

  • EKITI 2018: Oshiomole, Kalu, APC Govs woo voters for Fayemi

    More All Progressives Congress (APC) bigwigs arrived Ekiti State on Monday to woo voters for the candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll.
    The APC National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole; former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Kalu; Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) were the latest arrivals to give support to Fayemi.
    National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande and former National Vice Chairman (Southwest) Chief Pius Akinyelure had earlier arrived on Sunday.
    Tinubu, Akande and other party elders were billed to participate in a road show originally scheduled for the day but it was cancelled based on security advice from the Police High Command.
    Oshiomhole led the APC team to canvass for votes of labour unions led by former state Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Ayodeji
    Aluko for Fayemi.
    Kalu led the delegation that met with the leaders of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo where he sought the support of the large Igbo population in Ekiti for Fayemi at a separate meeting.
    The three governors-Amosun, Akeredolu and Bagudu-were present at the parley held with the Igbo.
    Oshiomhole, former National President of the NLC, assured Ekiti workers that Fayemi was not seeking a return to the state number one seat to seek vengeance but to make a positive difference in government and better their welfare.
    The former Edo State governor said the APC will win the election not by intimidation but based on past records of Fayemi’s government in the state
    Oshiomhole said: “Our task as labour leaders is not to agonize but to have the will to fight; I have not come to lament that Fayose has not paid workers. I have come to give guarantee to the workers of Ekiti that their welfare will be priority to us.
    “Fayemi knows that if he doesn’t perform especially for workers, I will box him from Abuja. Don’t be afraid, I am behind you and I will get whatever due for you from Dr Fayemi if you convince your people to give him the votes”.
    Kalu, during the forum with the Igbo said Fayemi has promised to give financial supports to their businesses if elected governor, the way he did in his first term.
    He urged them to discountenance the hate speeches being peddled around by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), labeling APC as anti-Igbo and Islamic party, describing these as attempts to smear the image of the party.
    Kalu said Fayemi remains the only person that can bring Ekiti out of
    squalor, saying the present governor, Mr  Ayodele Fayose shouldn’t be
    allowed to impose whom he described a ‘cowboy’ on the people.
    The former Abia governor said Fayemi is more experienced, exposed and has a better pedigree in governance than the PDP candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola.
    Kalu said: “You have to vote for a man that is better equipped for the job. Don’t listen to the rumour that APC is an Islamic party.
    “When President Muhammadu Buhari came, he inherited a massively looted economy. The PDP people were just going to the Central Bank of Nigeria to collect money on the order of the then President.
    “You know what it means for the CBN to be looted and that was why we experienced the economic recession when Buhari came and today we are out of it.
    “APC remains the best party for Ndigbo. I cannot be bribed by anybody to deceive you. I would rather die than to deceive you because we are one.
    “President Buhari did the second Niger Bridge. He had also awarded many road contracts in the Southeast. Did former President Olusegun Obasanjo, late Umaru Yar’Adua and Dr Goodluck Jonathan did all these?
    “President Buhari might not have given us many appointments, but he had performed for the Southeast in terms of facilities and public utilities.
    “If President Buhari is bad, I will be the first person to expose him. Please, vote for APC in this election. Make sure you spread the gospel and you will never regret it.
    “He has promised to give you appointments in governments and give you other supports and I know the promise shall be fulfilled.”
    Fayemi pledged to treat the Igbo and the workers with dignity and honour if given the chance, promising to fulfill all pledges made to these groups if given the mandate to govern Ekiti again.

  • Ekiti: Police storm printing press, arrest two

    The police in Lagos have invaded a printing press, O’Naphtali Limited, where alleged fake electoral materials were being printed ahead of the July 14 governorship elections in Ekiti State.

    Located at 13A and 13B Oguntano Street, Gbagada, the press was alleged to be owned by one Eniola Fayose, a native of Ikere-Ekiti.

    It was gathered that Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal had led detectives to the place on July 8, following a tipoff that fake electoral materials were being manufactured there.

    Although the owner of the premises was not around when detectives got there, it was gathered that two- Human Resource Manager and Graphic Artist of the company were apprehended.

    Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal confirmed the incident, adding that those arrested were assisting investigation.

    He said: “The report further revealed that some of the printed ballot papers were moved to Ekiti state in three Hilux vans on Friday July 6, while the art works are still in their graphic computers.

    “Based on the report, a contingent of policemen was immediately deployed to the location to verify the information.

    “At the scene, it was discovered that the company has two buildings located at number 13A and 13B Oguntona Street, Gbagada Phase 1. It was also discovered that the two buildings are being used for general printing, art work.

    Read Also: Police begins manhunt for ritual killers in Edo

    “A search warrant was executed on the premises and the following items were recovered:

    “One HP laptop, one Acer laptop, one Booklet of form EC/ EK 8B Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission EKSIEC; three EKEC 50A envelop for miscellaneous materials, two pieces of Ekiti SEC , eight A(1) statement of result, one copy of form Ekiti SEC eight A(1), one income tax clearance certificate of Ekiti state, seven pieces of Ekiti State Internal Revenue Motor receipts and one piece of form EC 8A of Ekiti SEC.

    “Others include one piece of Ekiti State Voter Card register log book cover for Ado Local Government , one piece of NECO mark/ attendance sheet, Ekiti State Ministry of Education progress report for secondary schools and one colour turn flash drive.

    “Preliminary investigation indicated that the company is said to be in a contractual agreement with the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission to print election materials found during the search.”

    Edgal said that the recovered laptops are being scrutinized by the police ICT experts with a view to discovering any incriminating information.