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Tag: Ayo Fayose

  • Aspirant urges EFCC to probe Fayose over unimplemented projects

    Ekiti State of Assembly aspirant Mr. Hakeem Jamiu has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Governor Ayo Fayose for allegedly refusing to implement projects outlined in the budget in his native Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government.

    Jamiu, who is contesting for the Assembly seat of Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency II on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said Fayose’s kinsmen voted against his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 14 governorship poll because he allegedly abandoned the people.

    The Assembly aspirant insisted that the non-execution of the projects itemised in the budget had short-changed the people, hence the need to probe how funds voted for the projects were spent.

    Jamiu, who spoke on Saturday at Igbemo-Ekiti while declaring his plan to run for the Assembly’s seat, said his ambition was borne out of the need to bring development to all communities in the constituency through law-making, performance of oversight functions and galvanising the citizenry to participate in governance.

    Party leaders and members agreed that Jamiu, the former Senior Special Assistant on Research and Documentation during the first tenure of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, should be made the party’s candidate through a consensus arrangement.

    They also passed a vote of no confidence on Fayose’s leadership, saying he has failed the people of the zone.

    Jamiu said: “Governor Fayose is from our constituency but the people rejected him in the last election because he abandoned them. There wasn’t any project executed in the 10 communities that make up the constituency since 2014 and this reflected in the results of the last governorship election.

    “The bridge linking his town and Igbemo Ekiti collapsed and the town was nearly cut off. But our governor never bordered. The present representative of the constituency did no single project when Fayemi did more than five projects in each of the towns.

    “We need to assuage the suffering of our people. We need quality representation. That is what we are going there to achieve through Fayemi’s leadership and mentorship. The next election will be robust, unlike what we are having now.

    “Our roads are bad; there is no investment in agriculture, particularly in rice that we grow in large quantities. All the projects initiated by Fayemi were abandoned. The lack of no confidence vote showed that the people are angry and desirous of change. That is what we are going to the Assembly to achieve.”

     

  • Ekiti workers angry with Fayose over purchase of N75m SUV

    Workers in Ekiti State are angry with Governor Ayo Fayose over the purchase of N75 million Lexus Jeep 2018 model as a ‘parting gift’ less than 50 days to his exit from office.

    They also slammed the governor for allegedly approving  N43 million severance benefits for himself  and his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola.

    The state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), said the vehicle purchase and severance package were acts of insensitivity to the plight of the workers.

    The unions wondered why the governor who had refused to pay backlog of salaries would contemplate buying an  exotic vehicle and paying himself severance benefits as parting gifts.

    Civil servants in the state are owed between five and eight -month salary arrears while retirees are owed about nine- month arrears of pensions.

    In a joint statement issued on Friday, by the state NLC Chairman, Mr. Ade Adesanmi and his TUC counterpart, Mr. Odunayo Adesoye, the workers described the ‘parting gifts’ to Fayose and Olusola as ‘selfish.’

    The labour leaders said Fayose ought to have been concerned with how the backlog of arrears of workers’ salaries and retirees’ pensions could be paid.

    The statement reads:  “There would be industrial crisis in the state if the governor proceeded with his plans in paying himself and his deputy that huge amount and purchasing the new vehicle.

    “If it is true that the state government has approved the purchase of N74million worth of vehicle as parting gift and N43 million severance package each for the governor and his deputy, we stand to condemn it in its entirety. It is an act of selfishness and insensitive to the plight of workers and pensioners in Ekiti State.”

  • Fayemi will run all-inclusive govt – Lawmaker

    The Minority Leader of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan has assured the people of the state that Governor-elect Kayode Fayemi will run an all-inclusive government as from October 16.

    The APC lawmaker representing Ikole Constituency 1 gave the assurance at Ward 7 party secretariat in Ijesa Isu Ekiti in Ikole Local government while speaking during his official declaration for second term.

    Read Also:Fayose’s rushed recruitment in bad faith, says Fayemi

    According to him, the incoming administration Fayemi will be different from the “one man dictatorship of the PDP and its outgoing governor.”

    He said: “The incoming government will be different from what we have now. It is going to be a clear departure from the dictatorship of the PDP and its governor. Fayemi will run an all-inclusive government.

    “Every interest and groups shall be accommodated. No one will be left out.”

    Aribisogan said he’s seeking for re- election because he believes he will continue to give good representation to the people of Ikole Constituency 1 based on his experience.

    In his words “I’m coming out again to serve you better because I believe I have the experience. You know I did my best for you during the 14 months I spent before my tenure was cut short by Ayo Fayose’s illegal suspension. Despite all my travails, I still made useful contributions to the political process in the state. I joined the progressives in the struggle to reclaim our land from the predators who wanted continuity of poverty, hardship and sufferings in our land. I became a visible minority voice and an apostle of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s quest for restoration of our values.

    “I have since remained a loyal party man, unrepentant and die-hard supporter of Dr Kayode Fayemi. I promise that if given the chance again I will not disappoint you. I will not let you down.”

     

  • AYO FAYOSE, the unusual father-in law

    AWAY from politics, the Governor of Ekiti State Ayo Fayose married off his daughter last weekend, and in his unusual way, he rocked a clean pair of denim pants. The event, an intimate indoor and stylish event, had Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, in attendance.

    Tomi, the bride, married Odunlade, a royal prince from Ile-ife, Osun State.

  • Fayose: I’m fulfilled leaving worthy legacies behind

    As his tenure winds down in less than two months, Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has said he is fulfilled leaving behind legacies that will not be forgotten in history.

    Fayose said the various developmental projects carried out by his administration will continue to speak for him long after he might have left office.

    He praised the people of Ado-Ekiti for their support during his tenure which he said resulted in construction of legacy projects in the city.

    As the battle for the governorship seat shifts to the courtroom, Fayose urged the people of the state to remain calm and be peaceful.

    Making allusion to the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the July 14 governorship election who is also his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, Fayose expressed optimism that “God will return the glory of Zion very soon.”

    Olusola was defeated by the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Fayose spoke on Tuesday at the grand finale of this year’s Udiroko Festival in Ado-Ekiti, which marks the beginning of a new year in the town’s traditional calendar.

    This year’s Udiroko was chaired by eminent lawyer and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola and it will be the last to be attended by Fayose in his capacity as governor.

    The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, Aladesanmi III, received homage from traditional chiefs, palace queens, honorary chiefs, traditional warriors, traditional police, market women, ethnic nationalities resident in the town and other interest groups.

    Fayose, himself a honorary chief, paid a special homage to Ewi and prayed that “Ado will not receive an unwanted visitor.”

    The governor emphasized that he still remains in office and will perform some functions until the expiry of his tenure on October 16 when he is expected to make way for Fayemi.

    Read Also: Fayose’s rushed recruitment in bad faith, says Fayemi

    He promised to allocate shops to market women displaced by the construction of the new Erekesan Market including “pepper and vegetable sellers” before the week runs out.

    “I will give the shops back to the poor people who are interested in them and this will be backed with valid documents.

    “The pepper sellers, the vegetable sellers will regain their shops back.

    “I gave you my word that I will perform and work for you and to the glory of God,  I have performed.

    “To the glory of God, I came, I saw and conquered; I came, I saw and I conquered.

    “Very soon, I will roll out the timetable for a tour round the state to say thank you to the people.

    “Even if Eleka (Olusola) had been declared winner, I will still go. Don’t fight with anybody continue to sing the song of praise.

    “By the grace of God, the glory and plunder of Zion shall be returned.”

    Babalola in his speech described Udiroko as a veritable platform for the people of the town to remember the tradition and culture of their ancestors.

    He, however, expressed regret that some events he described as “enemies of progress” have eroded great virtues of Ekiti.

    Babalola decried the upsurge in criminal activities in the state such as robbery, daylight killings, stealing, destruction of property and kidnapping which he said were alien to Ekiti.

    According to him, lack of infrastructure like motorable highway, absence of rail lines, airport, steady electricity and water will continue to deny Ekiti of the needed investment.

    Babalola noted that the development of Ekiti is the responsibility of both the state government and the people urging them to join hands to lift their home state.

    Oba Adejugbe in his remarks praised Babalola for siting ABUAD on Ado Ekiti soil describing the University as “one of the best in the world.”

    He urged Ado indigenes who are eligible voters to troop out in large numbers and register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCS).

    This, he said, will allow them to vote for the candidates of their choice in the 2019 general elections.

    The Ewi also hailed Fayose for executing remarkable projects in his palace like the hall, amphitheatre and other infrastructure including the flyover and the new market.

    The monarch said: “Forever, the name of Peter Ayodele Fayose will not be forgotten in the history of Ado-Ekiti.

    “You have done these for yourself and in the future, people will be asking who did these and they will answer that they were done by Peter Ayodele Fayose.

    “You did it during my reign but in your name and I pray that as you leave,  everything you brought here, wife, children and property will not be lost.”

  • Your presidential ambition will fail, Group tells Tambuwal

    The Buhari Media Organisation said at the weekend that Sokoto state Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal was already running against the tide and would swim into political oblivion in 2019.

    The group said in a statement made available to The Nation that it was obvious that the Presidential ambition of the Sokoto state Governor would remain a pipe dream, while the people of Sokoto state will reject him even as Governor in 2019.

    The statement signed by the Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke described as unfortunate recent statement credited to the Governor disparaging President Muhammadu Buhari, saying it was ill-conceived and a total assault on our cultural values.

    The group wondered why the Governor has decided to in recent time engaged deliberate campaign of calumny against the President, saying his action was against the African tradition.

    The group warned that the Sokoto State Governor is on a road to perdition just like Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State in 2015, adding that this infamous style of politics belonged in the past.

    Read Also: I am under pressure to run for president, says Tambuwal

    The statement reads: “The recent tirade by Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal against President Muhammadu Buhari is unfortunate, ill-conceived and a total assault on our cultural values. Tambuwal had in recent time engaged deliberate campaign of calumny against the President.

    “It is necessary to remind Tambuwal that it is not African tradition for young people to insult their elders and such negative attitude usually has its consequences.

    “We also advise Governor Tambuwal to draw a lesson from what happened to Ayo Fayose in the last Ekiti governorship election, as he was roundly rejected by the electorate due to his non-performance and unguarded utterances.

    ‘’We also want to assure Tambuwal that his case will not be different from that of Ayo Fayose, as he will not only be rejected as the next governor of Sokoto state, but his presidential ambition will remain a pipe-dream as he has not only denied his people development, but has wasted the scarce resources he ordinarily should have used to render service to the good people of Sokoto state. Definitely Tambuwal will go into political oblivion in 2019 as he is already running against the tide.’’

    The group also reminds Governor Tambuwal that President Muhammadu Buhari’s integrity and track record are clear for everyone to see, and this is the reason for their continued support for him and those he supports in elections. ‘’This support was also manifested in the recent by-elections in Bauchi, Kogi, and Katsina states where the All Progressives Congress trounced all their opponents including Tambuwal’s PDP and there is no doubt that he will win the next presidential election with a landslide.’

  • Shooting in Ado-Ekiti as RTEAN members clash over leadership

    Many wounded

    There was sporadic shooting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Tuesday as members of the Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN) were locked in a bitter struggle for the leadership of the body.

    There was panic in the city for several hours as many residents were reportedly wounded during the clash.

    Loyalists of the incumbent chairman, Samuel Agbede and former chairman, Rotimi Olanbiwonnu, reportedly launched attacks against one another following the takeover of RTEAN motor parks by supporters of the former.

    Agbede is a loyalist of outgoing Governor Ayo Fayose while Olanbiwonnu is a loyalist of incoming Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    Areas like Okeyinmi, Old Garage and Ijigbo were turned to war zones by that rampaging drivers as several gunshots rent the air sending many residents scampering to safety.

    The attack sacked the popular Erekesan Market, also known as Oja Oba as business activities were paralyzed.

    The mayhem forced shop owners in the areas to hurriedly close for the day and headed home to avoid being caught in the crossfire by unionists.

    Many residents sustained injuries in a bid to escape from the scene while traffic came to a standstill as motorists and motorcyclists diverted to other routes.

    Read Also: Man stabs father, himself to death in Ekiti

    Armed policemen were drafted to the flashpoints of violence while many people were said to have been arrested.

    Crisis has been rocking RTEAN following the discharge and acquittal of Olanbiwonnu and six others who were on trial for alleged complicity in the murder of former National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Chairman, Omolafe Aderiye.

    Aderiye was killed on September 25, 2014 and the trial of the accused persons at an Ekiti State High Court ended on January 27 when they were set free after nearly four years in prison custody.

    The latest violence was reportedly sparked by the alleged arrest of Olanbiwonnu by the police which his loyalists believed was another attempt to detain him perpetually.

    Reacting to the mayhem, police spokesman, Caleb Ikechukwu, claimed that nobody had been arrested at press time.

    Ikechukwu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the situation has been put under control while the warring factions have been invited to ensure peace.

    He said policemen have been deployed in all the affected areas and have the mandate to protect lives and property.

  • Prosecute Fayose for electoral offences, lawyer tells INEC

    A Lagos based lawyer, Mr. Kabir Akingbolu, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prosecute Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose and his Deputy, Prof Kolapo Olusola Eleka, for alleged electoral offences.

    Akingbolu alleged that Fayose and Eleka, alongside the Acting Chairman of the Ekiti State Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Lere Olayinka, committed at least 10 electoral offences during the June 14 governorship election in Ekiti State.

    Read Also:Fayose’s deputy files 700-page petition against Fayemi

    He made the claims in an August 6 letter to INEC chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, polled 197,459 votes in the election to beat Eleka of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 178,121 votes.

    The lawyer urged INEC to prosecute the trio in line with Section 150 of the Electoral Act, 2010 as this “will go a long way to curb official impunity during elections.”

    Akingbolu noted that because Fayose and Eleka had constitutional immunity from prosecution until their tenure expires in October, investigation of the “serious electoral offences” ought to commence without delay.

    He threatened to apply to the Federal High Court for an order of Mandamus to compel INEC to carry out its “statutory duty forthwith”, if it “fails or refuses to commence the investigation of the serious electoral offences disclosed in the petition before August 15.

    Akingbolu said: “Throughout the campaign the trio campaigned against Dr. Kayode Fayemi and urged voters not to vote for him in contravention of Section 129(c) of the Electoral Act.

    “The campaign of the trio was tainted with abusive language, which injured religious, ethnic and sectional feelings contrary to Section 95(1) of the Electoral Act.

    “The trio threatened to make use of force and violence in contravention of Section 131(a) of the Electoral Act.”

    According to him, the trio prevented all government aspirants apart from Prof Eleka the free use of the Ekiti State Radio and Television station in contravention of Section 131(d) of the Electoral Act.

    In another instance, he claimed that Fayose paid the sum of N3, 000 to every civil servant on Friday June 13; with intent that such money shall be expended on bribing voters to vote for Prof Eleka.

    Akingbolu added: “The Governor campaigned for Professor Kolapo Eleka in the Governor’s lodge on June 14, 2018 within 24 hours prior to the polling day in contravention of Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010.

    “They prevented the Ekiti State Broadcasting Corporation from allotting equal coverage and conspicuity to all political parties in contravention of Section 100 (5) of the Electoral Act 2010.

    “In the morning of June 14, 2018 they assembled a crowd at the Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge where they prayed and persuaded voters to vote for Professor Kolapo Eleka

    “They caused the Ekiti State Broadcasting Corporation to broadcast news which opposed the candidature of Dr. Kayode Fayemi in contravention of Section 101(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010.

    “Before the official declaration of the results of the governorship election by the Returning Officer they announced an election result which they knew to be false and thereby declared Professor Kolapo Eleka as the Governor Elect of Ekiti State on June 15, 2018 in contravention of Section 123(4) of the Electoral Act.”

     

  • ‘I remain in office till October’

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has said he would carry out his constitutional functions till he exits office on October 16.

    The governor said the process to recruit 2000 new workers had commenced before the July 14 governorship election.

    He was reacting to the warning of the governor-elect Dr. Kayode Fayemi, not to recruit new workers in state owned tertiary institutions and other governmental agencies.

    Fayose in a statement by his media aide Lere Olayinka urged Fayemi to wait till his inauguration before taking any step.

    He said “The last time that we checked, Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose was still the governor of Ekiti State and he remains the governor till October 16, 2018.

    Read Also: Police nab Naval officer, two others for stealing

    “Governor Fayose will carry out all the functions of his office till October 16 and if there is need to employ workers, he will do so legally and no one can prevent him.

    “This is more so that the process of employing 2,000 workers had commenced even before the July 14 election.

    “Therefore, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his team of desperately ignorant team should wait till October 16 before kicking off their usual anti people policies.

    “Also, we advise Fayemi and his men to rather concentrate on how to defend the false electoral victory awarded to them by the powers that be in Abuja instead of this daily display of idiocy.”

  • Fayemi warns against illegal recruitments at Ekiti College

    Ekiti State Governor-elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has warned the management of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, against illegal recruitment of new workers to create problems for the incoming administration.

    Fayemi warned the management led by the College Provost, Prof. Mojisola Oyarekua, to resist an alleged directive to carry out massive employment of cronies of Governor Ayo Fayose in violation of due process.

    A statement on Monday signed by Director, Fayemi Media Office, Wole Olujobi, wondered why an administration that has failed to employ one single individual in the last four years now want to employ thousands in the college and other institutions with few days left in office.

    The statement said “it is dangerous to erect political structures in non-partisan institutions of government, warning that the incoming administration will not inherit institutions that will be threatened by political cleavages.”

    The statement said: We want to caution the management of the college to stay clear of the contrived sabotage mission by Governor Ayodele Fayose to cripple the administration of the Governor-elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi, from the outset.

    “There are similar plans by Fayose for other government’s agencies and institutions where he plans to dispense favours to only members of his party; we want to warn that political consideration in public recruitment scheme is illegal and will be so treated on assumption of office.

    “We are aware of a long list of cronies of Governor Ayodele Fayose who are forced on the management of the College of Education and waiting to be employed in their large numbers on the orders of the governor.

    “We wish to caution the management of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, and other institutions of government on the danger of conniving with an administration that has refused to employ just one man in about four years to now choose to embark on mass recruitment of supporters for the purpose of crippling the incoming administration at a time that Fayose’s administration is owing backlog of salaries with no hope of payment till the end of his administration.

    Read Also: Fayemi to Fayose: Be ready to account for Ekiti funds

    “We hereby alert the people of Ekiti State to this clear act of sabotage which the management of the college is trying to execute on behalf of Governor Fayose to intentionally cripple the smooth running of the administration of the college when the new administration comes on board, particularly coming at the time that subvention to the college has not been paid for a long while research and capital funding has been abandoned.

    “The recruitment becomes more illegal, as the beneficiaries of the exercise are mainly Fayose’s cronies who he wants to compensate after deceiving them for three years.

    “We do not believe in political affiliation in the consideration of people for employment, therefore, what is going on in the College of Education is clearly a political exercise in a non-partisan setting, and to that extent, the exercise is political and, therefore, illegal because it is wrong to turn the college to the enclave of one political party.

    “In the last dispensation, Fayemi engaged Ekiti people in social security scheme, Youths in Commercial Agricultural Development (YCAD), Volunteer Corps, EKSTMA and Peace Corps, among other schemes, based on merit and without consideration for political leaning.

    “This is the way to go and we hope to continue on this path when we assume office to fill all necessary vacancies and create new job opportunities for all Ekiti people based on merit irrespective of political affiliation.

    “We therefore advise the management of the college and other institutions of government to stay clear of the sabotage mission by Fayose and strive to ensure that the present status quo of salary payment default is resolved in favour of the hard-working workers, teaching and non-teaching staff, by paying all their salary arrears and other entitlements, including payment of subventions and capital spending,  instead of embarking on political patronage in appointments that will further worsen crises for our institutions.”