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Tag: Ayodele Fayose

  • Ekiti Pensioners: We are tired of one day, one death

    Slam Fayose for alleged neglect

    Pensioners in Ekiti State have slammed Governor Ayodele Fayose for alleged neglect which is has triggered daily deaths among them

    Acting under the aegis of Concerned Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigeria (CLGPAN), they regretted that unpaid arrears of pension have caused them untold hardship.

    The embattled retirees said they are tired of “one day, one death among them” calling on the governor-elect Dr. Kayode Fayemi to make their welfare a priority during his administration.

    They said Fayose’s alleged neglect, which they said had impoverished their members and made them vulnerable to all forms of diseases.

    The pensioners made the appeal on Wednesday after a prayer session organized to seek the face of God against high incidences of deaths among members.

    A communiqué issued at the end of the session and signed by CLGPAN’s Coordinator/Chairman, Alhaji Quadri Oguntuase  and Secretary, Mr. Abiodun Agboola, regretted that none of its member has  received  its monthly pension since January, 2018.

    The communique said it sounded so pathetic that while Nigerians were celebrating   Independence Day on October 1, that pensioner in Ekiti were burying their members and crying over avoidable issues.

    Read Also: Strike: Govt. offices shut as Ekiti workers stay at home

    “At that payer session, we didn’t just pray for God’s intervention, we also viewed the neglect of our members in the scheme of things as callous, and greatest height of insensitivity.

    “We want to alert the public that we have not been paid once this year, we have no reason to shout happy new year since 2018, because our we have not been paid.

    “Everybody is celebrating Independence Day, but we are mourning over our colleagues who have died in the course excruciating pains of hunger and treatable diseases.

    “Some of us live on the children who have no specific jobs after their graduation and service year. We are tired of this situation and the next government must change the trend.

    “On this note, we appeal to the Governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi to make the welfare of our members its priority.

    “He should as a matter of importance arrest the deaths among our members. How can someone worked for 35 years and later abandoned to suffer in the hands of government?

    “What made our situation more pathetic was that, it was the same government we served that has been meting out this punishment on us. We are tired of one-day, one -death  among our members”, the communiqué stated.

  • Lawyer writes Fayose, demands unpaid N600m fee

    A lawyer based in Ado-Ekiti, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi, has urged Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose to pay him professional fee amounting to N600 million for legal services rendered in the past.

    Ajayi, who was Fayose’s personal lawyer for many years before he was appointed Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice twice, listed thirteen high profile cases handled for the governor which had not been paid for.

    In a letter he wrote to Fayose which was made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, Ajayi said he made a moderate demand of a sum of N600 million at the rate of N50 million per each of the cases listed subject to accruable interest.

    Ajayi said the cases were not handled free but were not paid for by Fayose because he was financially handicapped then noting that the governor is now buoyant enough to pay for the services rendered.

    The cases include a defamation case: Ayo Fayose v Independent Communications Network Limited with suit number HAD/8/2004 and the appeal case emanating from the same suit marked CA/AE/58/2010.

    Federal Republic of Nigeria v Ayo Fayose with charge number FHC/C/179C/2006 which was a criminal case heard both in Lagos and Ado-Ekiti Federal High Courts until he (Fayose) was discharged and acquitted in October 2014 in which Ajayi appeared in all the cases.

    Another case was Peter Ayodele Fayose v Comptroller General of Prisons Suit Number: FHC/AK/CS/08/2008, which was about Fayose’s ‘controversial’ release from Ikoyi Prisons to face murder charge in Ekiti.

    Other cases listed by Ajayi include Peter Ayodele Fayose v EFCC appeal marked CA/I/144/2011, Peter Ayodele Fayose v the State marked HAD/16/2007 to stop his arraignment for murder by the Segun Oni administration, the appeal case that arose from it marked CA/14C14/2007 and the Supreme Court that emanated from it still pending marked SC449/2011.

    Ajayi listed Peter Ayodele Fayose v EFCC and Inspector General of Police with Suit No: FHC/A14CS/85/2006 following his illegal removal from office and the appeal case that followed it IGP & AG Federation v Peter Ayodele Fayose marked CA/B/44/2007.

    The last case mentioned by Ajayi, who is also a former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ado-Ekiti Branch, was E-Eleven v Peter Ayodele Fayose and 2 Ors filed to frustrate his swearing-in to office after winning the 2014 governorship election.

    Ajayi said: “You will recall that you never paid our chamber, Owoseni Ajayi & Associates for the services rendered throughout the time because of your financial incapacitation despite numerous demands because you were already out of office at the material time.

    “It should be stressed that we never acted free because we are legal practitioners working for our legal fee nor offered you “pro bono” service because you were not a pauper to be qualified for such a service.

    “We merely showed understanding up till now because of the prevalent circumstances verily known to you. And now that you have served another term as Governor of Ekiti State, you are financially strong enough to pay the said sum as demanded.

    “Sir, you will agree with us that a labourer deserves his wages. We thank you for your patronage and we also deserve commendation for having discharged our professional responsibility with diligence and without compromise.

    “And also for saving Your Excellency from several legal embarrassments.”

  • 2019: APC must field popular candidates – Olofin warns

    A House of Representatives Aspirant and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State, Hon Sola Olofin, has said the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) won’t make any impact in the 2019 general elections in the State, saying the party’s popularity has waned with its defeat in the July 14 governorship election.

    Olofin, who is questing to represent Ado/Irepodun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency in Ekiti Central Senatorial District, added that the defeat suffered by Governor Ayodele Fayose and the party’s governorship candidate, Prof Kolapo Olusola, in the recent election has made the party more vulnerable to defeat in 2019.

    The Ado Ekiti born politician also appealed to the leadership of the party to consider party loyalty and consistency of aspirants to field candidates for the 2019 State and federal legislative elections, saying this would help in ensuring that members become more committed to serve the party.

    In a chat with journalists in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday on the 2019 general elections and the stand of the party, Olofin said, though, over 15 candidates are gunning for the House of Representatives in Ekiti Central Federal constituency I, insisting that he remains the best among the contenders in terms of loyalty and consistency.

    According to Olofin, Fayose no longer pose any threat to APC having suffered defeat in the July 14 election, in spite of his consistent boasts that he remains invincible and indomitable in Ekiti, advising that this should not form a basis for his party to take people for granted in the choice of candidates.

    “With the mood in Ekiti now, APC stands a good chance of clinching all the 26 House of Assembly, Nine House of Representatives and three senate seats in Ekiti. The PDP has not recovered from the shock of the July 14 governorship election, so I don’t see it posing any serious challenge provided our party fields popular and acceptable candidates.

    Read Also:  Delta PDP major financier defects to APC

    “Ekiti electorates are sophisticated people, they go for a candidate they can access in election and what they believe he could offer in terms of democratic dividends, they don’t vote by emotion and that is why our party should get good and acceptable candidates for these coming elections.

    “The July 14 governorship election was won because our candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi was not only popular but acceptable to the generality of Ekiti people. His performance in his first term actually convinced the people that the choice they made in June 21, 2014 governorship election that produced Governor Fayose, was a wrong one.

    “It marvels our people that Governor Fayose could only undertake two or three projects in Ado and Ikere Ekiti for four years, while Dr. Fayemi did a minimum of three projects in each of the 133 towns and villages in four years.

    “So, I want to say that APC has a good chance in the 2019 elections in Ekiti but this will also be bolstered by ensuring that the choice of the people is allowed to prevail in the primaries, because the people own the sovereignty”, he stated.

    Olofin, an Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) expert, promised to coalesce efforts with Fayemi as a governor to upgrade the knowledge of Ekiti youths in ICT through training and exposure to modern computer expertise that can guarantee career progression.

    The APC Chieftain added that he would also strive hard to attract federal presence to Ekiti in the area of agriculture, where the state has a comparative advantage.

    If elected as a federal legislature, Olofin said apart from giving effective and efficient representation through contributions to debates on the floor of the House and sponsoring landmarks bills that will palliate the people’s sufferings, his main focus would be to fight poverty through robust empowerment programmes and create jobs for the youths.

    “The world is now going digital. We are in the world of ICT and only those that are savvy will be able to operate under a 21st century economy. So, I will work hard with the state government to improve our youth’s knowledge in ICT.

    “We have to expose them to modern technology that can guarantee good earnings and this I will achieve by building ICT centres in some wards across the constituency for free training and where you can get access to internet”.

    Olofin appealed to the party’s leaders to finetune arrangements for the conduct of free and credible primaries that will foster unity, rather than the one that will create crisis that can elicit protest votes from electorate.

    “I am at home with Direct, Indirect or consensus options provided the right things are done. We shouldn’t do it in a shoddy manner that can create crisis. We must not Allow the July 14 victory to go into our heads or to make us exhibit pride that can make voters to revolt against us.

    “That is why it is necessary for APC to be transparent in whatever option it adopts, so that we can be on the same page with Ekiti voters, who will definitely take the final decision”, he counseled

  • Fayose to Fayemi : My handover note ready, will address your worries

    Exactly 35 days to his leaving office, outgoing Ekiti state governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose on Sunday says his handover note is ready for the scrutiny of people making enquiries about his government.

    The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the governor did not cooperate with the Transition Committee set up by Incoming-Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Fayose snubbed the request by the committee, for certain records of his tenure.

    He claimed the committeee is illegal.

    Fayose, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, urged the Governor-Elect to stop spreading falsehood about him or the finances of his administration.

    He described as mere fabrication, the claim that his government had accumulated a debt of N117 billion as against the N18 billion it inherited.

    Fayemi was “already preparing excuses for his impending failure at the tribunal”, Fayose said.

    Fayose insisted that the State Government under him has no obligation to relate with any committee not empowered by law, stating that the governor-elect should wait for the handing over note that will be handed to him on October 16.

    He said it was funny that the same Transition Committee that claimed it did not get any information from the State government estimated the state debt at N117 billion.

    Read also: Suspected ritual killer arrested with corpse at Ekiti river

    He reiterated that his government only received N10 billion grant from the Excess Crude Account, which was released to all States for capital projects as well as Budget Support fund released to states by the Federal Government.

    “It is on record that Ekiti State Government was indebted to the tune of N86, 013,689,097 as at October 16, 2014 that Governor Fayose took over.

    “The debts are broken down as follows: Bank Loans; N15, 831,613,425.62, Bond; N26, 749,796,784.75, Outstanding Warrants; N15, 522,552,900.76, Outstanding to Road Contractors; N21, 286,126,749, Outstanding Remittances to FG; N709, 883,656.75, Outstanding Remittances (State Govt); N592, 995,374.89 and EKSG Public Servants Outstanding Emoluments; N5, 137,888,224.37,” he said.

    The governor counselled Fayemi to face the task of “defending the mandate that he stole and his fraudulent emergence as the APC candidate instead of treading the usual path of deceiving the public to cover up his failure”,

  • 2019 Senate poll: Tough battles ahead for Shettima, Okorocha, Yari, other 2nd term govs

    In the next few months, some state governors in their second term will end their tenure and bid bye to exotic villas where they had called the shots for eight years like the Lord of Manor. But Their Excellencies are not tired. They still want to be relevant, they want to remain in the limelight. In the next dispensation, they are eyeing the Senate. In this piece, our Managing Editor, Northern Operations, YUSUF ALLI, examines the battle ahead for the affected governors.

    In the next couple of months, 11 out of the nation’s 36 governors will no longer be eligible to be governors as they would be in office for the mandatory eight years. Those affected are Governors Kashim Shettima( Borno); Ayodele Fayose(Ekiti); Ibrahim Dankwambo(Gombe); Rochas Okorocha(Imo); Abdulfatah Ahmed(Kwara); Umaru Tanko Al-Makura(Nasarawa); Ibikunle Amosun(Ogun); Rauf Aregbesola(Osun) and Abiola Ajimobi(Oyo).

    For senators and members of the House of Representatives who became governors, returning to the National Assembly is a familiar turf.  But for those outgoing governors seeking to be senators for the first time , it may be a different ball game. Yes, the constituency is smaller, but the battle is tougher as the variables may also be different.

     

    The situation at present

    In the 109-member of the 8th Senate , 20 are ex-governors. They are the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki,   Theodore Orji (Abia); Eyinnaya Abaribe (Abia); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom ); Andy Uba (Anambra); David Mark  (Benue); George Akume (Benue); Abiodun Olujimi (Ekiti); Danjuma Goje  (Gombe); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Ibrahim Gaya (Kano); Adamu Aliero (Kebbi); Muhammed Lafiagi (Kwara); Abdullahi Adamu  (Nasarawa); Jonah Jang  (Plateau); Aliyu Wammako  (Sokoto); Bukar Abba Ibrahim  (Yobe); Danladi Abubakar Sani (Taraba); Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); and Ahmed Sanni Yerima (Zamfara).

    A report by a newspaper had indicated that out of the former governors, Senators Andy Uba, Abiodun Olujimi, and Theodore Orji have sponsored an appreciable number of bills.

     

    Saraki stood tall among them having learned the legislative tricks enough to win the much prized seat of the President of the Senate. Many of them are bench warmers because the transition from executive mansions to hallowed chambers is a Herculean task for them.

     

    What are the chances of the 10 governors eyeing the 9th senate?

    Investigation by our correspondent indicated that political realities in the affected states have shown that it won’t be a tea-party for most of them. The challenges before the governors , among others, include clamour  for power shift, ethnicism, disdain for godfatherism.

     

    Shettima(Borno)

    Ordinarily with his modest achievements in office in the midst of insurgency, Governor Kashim Shettima should have an easy ride to the 9th Senate but he faces some hurdles, the latest being where he hails from in Borno. He is either expected to contest for the senatorial seat in Borno Central District (the platform he used to be governor) or Borno North District where bitter politics in the state has led to the discovery of his real origin. Whatever it is, he will slug it out with Sen. Kaka Garbai (from Borno Central who may not relinquish his slot without a viable alternative like the governorship ticket) and Abubakar Kyari representing Borno North. Shettima, widely seen as a “central  boy, ” requires much of serious political calculation and negotiation before taking a leap for the Senate. The governor’s major headache is how to rehabilitate Garbai in a commensurate measure.

    A source , familiar with the state’s politics, said: “Kashim Shettima was born in Maiduguri, located in Borno Central. His mother is from the central, but his father is a Mallam from Ngazai in Borno North Senatorial District. His associates had mooted the idea that he runs for the seat from the North.  But sensing the danger, especially because Kyari, the incumbent, is very popular and formidable, the idea was dropped. To displace Kyari from the Senate would mean to hand him the governorship ticket.

    “So at it is, his posters are everywhere for Borno Central Senatorial District. For now, it is certain he will run from the central. The incumbent, Garbai, is his friend. Without Shettima’s prompting, Garbai would not have run in the first place when the seat became vacant shortly before the inauguration of the Senate in 2015. Hon. Umar Kumalia had wanted to run then ; he, however, gave way when it became obvious that the governor preferred Garbai, who incidentally is Kumalia’s friend too.

    “For now, apart from Shettima, no one has shown interest in the seat within the APC. And even with the PDP, no visible aspirants for now. But should the Abuja politicians within the APC decide to move against Shettima, getting someone to run against him within the party won’t be too difficult.

    “For the north, the only strong person from PDP who can challenge the APC candidate is Sen. Sanusi Daggash (a former Minister of National Planning). But Daggash has been on the quiet side politically in recent times.”

     

    Al- Makura(Nasarawa)

    Were it constitutionally possible to have a third term in office, the people of Nasarawa State would have allowed Governor Umar Tanko Al-Makura to continue . But the reality has dawned on everyone; the governor has to leave the Executive Lounge for a shot at the Nasarawa South Senatorial District seat. He will be on the turf against the incumbent Senator from the Peoples Democratic Party, Sen. Suleiman Adokwe( a third term Senator); a PDP member representing Keana/Doma/Awe in the House of Representatives, Ogoshi Onawo; and Husseini Egyegbola of the APC, who was elected as a senator in 2015 before the Election Petitions Tribunal upturned his victory.

    Getting APC ticket by Al-Makura is taken for granted. But he has an ethnic barrier at hand and he has to work very  hard to sell his candidature .  There are five local governments in Nasarawa South Senatorial District namely; Doma, Lafia , Awe, Keana and Obi. The district also harbours about 20 ethnic groups which are contending for power, including Fulani, Tiv, Kanuri, Mighili, Gwandara and Alago among others.  Governor Al-Makura comes from Kwandere in Lafia Local Government Area. He is a Gwandara by tribe, which is  a minority in Lafia LGA and the Senatorial District.  According to findings, three of the local governments areas(Doma, Keana, and Obi ), are controlled by Alago tribe  of Sen. Adokwe, Onawo and Egyegbola.

    The battle is basically between Alago ( where late Governor Akwe Doma hailed from  ) and other ethnic groups in the district. It was only in 1999 that the Alago allowed the late Haruna Abubakar(a Kanuri), who was a  Deputy Senate President to late Chuba Okadigbo, to  represent the district.

    For Al-Makura, history beckons on him to break another electoral jinx again in the state as a minority. His God-fearing, good and fair-minded nature has fetched him a rare political goodwill like the case in 2011 when he became a governor as a minority. If he gets his political strategy right, he might secure the Senatorial ticket. Once Al-Makura can secure the huge votes from Lafia Local Government Area(LGA) and about 5% to 10% in other four LGAs, he will ride to the Senate with less sweat. The huge votes from Lafia, Keffi and Nasarawa Eggon crowned him as a governor seven years ago.  And he can defeat his opponent in a landslide if he retains his cosmopolitan look and make his campaign issues-based rather than playing ethnic politics. Surely, all eyes will be on Al-Makura if he secures the APC ticket.

     

    Ahmed(Kwara)

    Will the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, compensate Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for his loyalty? As the outgoing governor of Kwara State, Ahmed’s ultimate desire is to be a senator for Kwara South Senatorial District. He is seeking the ticket currently held by Senator Abdulrafiu Ibrahim, who has been a long standing loyalist of Saraki. It is a hard knot for Saraki to untie but if performance is anything to go by, Sen. Ibrahim has a little edge over Ahmed, who has spent eight years to create political liability for Saraki due to his low performance in office. Saraki is battling to clean the Augean Stable at a higher cost to his political career. But going by the PDP’s Right of First Refusal for defectors, the ticket will automatically go to Ahmed leaving Ibrahim in a quandary.

    Whoever is anointed by Saraki will face a tough contest with a renowned architect, Lola Ashiru, whose ingenuity led to the design of Skye Bank structures all over the country and other architectural works. Ashiru, who is from Offa , which has not produced a senator  since 1999, has the war-chest to give Ibrahim or  Ahmed a good fight. The last time Offa produced a senator was during the aborted Third Republic.

    Another silent contestant is the US-based Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun from Esie in Irepodun Local Government Area, who is determined to prove a point that a first timer can make a difference. Apart from palace rivalry in Saraki’s courtyard, Governor Ahmed has the people of Kwara South to contend with. They are enlightened, conscientious and detest money politics. The governor has to sell himself  for any electoral breakthrough. The Kwara south PDP senatorial primaries will be an interesting race

     

    Ajimobi(Oyo)

    It is a straight fight between Governor Abiola Ajimobi and other aspirants for Oyo South Senatorial District ticket. Despite the recent electoral upset for APC in Ibarapa East Constituency in Oyo  House of Assembly, which it lost to the Peoples Democratic Party, Ajimobi may regain  his seat without sweat. Up till now, he has not known his opponent in either the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) or any of the emerging coalitions in the state. But he has an opponent in APC, Sen. Soji Akanbi, who might not get the party’s ticket because Ajimobi has a firm grip on the structure of the party. Where Akanbi is not “well accommodated”, he might seek refuge in another party. So far, Akanbi is keeping his game plan close to his chest.  A former chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area, Mr. Kehinde Olaosebikan, said: “The governor will defeat any party’s candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District. He has performed well to earn a return ticket to the Senate.” The district comprises Ibadan North, Ibadan North West, Ibadan South East, Ibadan South West, Ibadan North East, Ibarapa North, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East,  and Ido.

     

    Fayose(Ekiti)

    Still struggling to survive the pains of the defeat of his political godson at the recent governorship poll, Governor Ayodele Fayose faces an uncertain political future. He has spoken less of either his presidential ambition or the alternative of going to the Senate. His obvious choice is to vie for  Ekiti Central District Senatorial ticket with Sen. Fatima Raji Rasaki. But it will be a disaster and the end of the road for Fayose if he loses again. While he is considering the next step in his turbulent political career, his associate, Obafemi Adewale(a former chairman of NBA in Ekiti State), is aspiring for Ekiti Central District ticket. Whether or not the aspiration of Adewale is in trust for Fayose, time will soon tell.

     

    Rochas Okorocha(Imo)

    Owelle Rochas Okorocha,  no doubt, is facing a massive gang-up in the state by forces within APC and those in PDP over alleged plans to foist his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, as the governorship candidate of APC in the state. He wants to make it a double-edge sword by aspiring for the senatorial ticket of Imo West Senatorial District. He wants to take over the seat of Sen. Hope Uzodinma, who is interested in the governorship race. In February, Okorocha said: “I have decided to run for the Imo West Senatorial zone because if I don’t, bad people will take the position. If my name appears on the ballot paper as contesting for the Senate, it will boost APC’s chances in the state. And many from my zone have said they will not contest if I am interested.” But he has a match in a  business mogul and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Imo State, Chief Charles Ahize and others who seek the same office.

    Noted for a refrain, “My people, my people,” it will soon be judgment day for Okorocha when the Imo citizens will decide whether Okorocha can eat his cake and have it. If Okorocha has his way, he would be highlighted  in the Guinness Book of Records but if otherwise, history will be unkind to him forever.

     

    Yari(Zamfara)

    The battle in Zamfara West Senatorial District will depend on the outcome of any accord or unwritten agreement between Governor Abdulaziz Yari and his godfather, Ahmed Sani Yerima, who was an ex-governor of the state. Yerima, who has been in the Senate since 2007, is in dire straits because he wants to produce Yari’s successor and at the same time retain his senatorial slot. But the governor, who was once a member of the House of Representatives, is interested in going to the Senate. He is from the same zone with Yerima. It was learnt that Yerima would not mind  sacrificing his senatorial ambition to be allowed to pick the next governorship candidate of APC (Yari’s successor) in Zamfara State. Yerima is said to be interested in the current Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammad, who was his former Commissioner for Religious Affairs. The deputy governor comes from Zamfara Central, which has never produced the executive of the state since the return of democracy in 1999. On the other hand, it was learnt that Yari favours  his most powerful Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Muttaka Rini, who is from Zamfara West. Unless tact and diplomacy prevail, Yari and Yerima may lock horns  in the end. But a source said: “Whatever it is, Yerima still holds the ace in Zamfara politics. Yari needs to engage in a lot of reconciliation to win back the hearts of the people of the state.” It will be interesting to know in the next few weeks what manner of accord the two gladiators will reach.

     

    Gaidam  (Yobe)

    This is a slippery terrain.  Governor Ibrahim Gaidam and his godfather, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim have to test the waters over Yobe East Senatorial District ticket.  Although one Dr. Almajiri Gaidam is also interested in the senatorial race, the contest is really between the governor and his mentor. For Governor Gaidam, the next venture is the Senate but he is from the same district with Ibrahim who has been in the Senate since 2007. There are seven local governments in the district, including Gujba, Gulani, Damaturu, Tarmuwa, Yunusari, Geidam and Bursari. While Sen. Bukar Abba  hails from Gujba, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam is from Yunusari, although he was brought up in Gaidam.

    The power game has been  a quiet political war in Yobe State since 1999; the struggle for Yobe North East by the two titans might redefine politics in the state if not maturely handled. Old prejudices/ sentiments  are being whipped up. For Gaidam, he had wanted to be a senator in 2003  after the demise of Senator  Adamu Usman  of the defunct ANPP but he was denied the ticket by Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who was then the governor of the state. Sen. Abba was said to have rated Gaidam as unfit to be a councillor. This time around the governor, who has hijacked the structure of the party,  does not want to suffer fools gladly.

    His godfather will also not let go his seat. Recently, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim said: “In sha Allah,  I will be seeking re-election back to the Senate in the forthcoming election and I do not see anybody as a threat.

    “ I have no problems with my constituency and the electorate. I have not been recalled by those who voted me to represent them and I am physically and mentality fit. All I know is that by 2019, I will be re-elected back to the Senate.

    “The governor has not told me that he is interested in the seat after the expiration of his tenure next year and I don’t need to bother myself about it since I know that there would be no vacancy because I am re-contesting for the position next year and I will continue to offer myself to my people for the position as long as I have the energy and sound health to represent them.

    “I will stay in the Senate until death do us part. Everybody tells me that I’m senator for life. I’m going to be in the Senate for life…”

    On his part while planning subtly, Gaidam said: “My becoming governor is not by my power or the making of any other human being. It’s destiny because somebody said I would not even be a councillor in Yobe. Today, God has made me the governor, who knows where I will be tomorrow?”

     

    Amosun(Ogun)

    The man to beat for Ogun Central District seat is Governor Ibikunle Amosun, whose performance might give him an edge. With the party’s structure in his kitty, Amosun,  who was a one-time senator,  already has the senatorial ticket in his pocket. But he will have to slug it out with his godson, Sen. Lanre Tejuoso(who may defect to ADC), Sen. Gbenga Obadara, a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kayode Amusan(PDP)  and a former commissioner in the state, Apostle Biodun Sanyaolu (PDP). Obadara has, however, added a caveat to his aspiration when he said he night step down if Amosun is interested in the race.

    Although the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa, is being speculated to be interested in the senatorial seat, it was unclear if he is serious or merely flying a kite.

     

    Dankwambo(Gombe)

    The purchase of governorship nomination form by ex-Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sen. Bayero Nafada on Friday has confirmed a swap deal between Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo for Gombe North Senatorial District, if the governor does not get the presidential ticket of PDP. Nafada, who represents Gombe North District, has left the Senate for good. It is a different ball game if Dankwambo will keep to the secret pact with Nafada by ensuring that the former  Deputy Speaker emerges his successor.

    For Dankwambo, who  has been accused of using his presidential aspiration as a smokescreen, the battle for Gombe North District might be between him and Sen. Saidu Ahmed Alkali, who was  elected as a PDP Senator  in August 2010  after the death of Sen. Kawu Peto Dukku. He was also re-elected in the April 2011general poll. Alkali was a former Commissioner for Information under ex-Governor Danjuma Goje.

  • Salary crisis: Ekiti NLC, TUC impose 10-year ban on two Labour leaders

    ‘Unions remain dissolved,’ says banned officials

    Crisis rocking the Labour movement in Ekiti State deepened on Monday as the state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress (TUC) imposed a ten-year ban on immediate past chairmen, Mr. Ayodeji Aluko and Mr. Kolawole Olaiya, from trade unionism.

    The ten-year ban was imposed on the duo for leading a protest and shutdown of the State Secretariat last Thursday in protest against the arrears of salaries owed workers by the state government.

    Acting on the auspices of Ekiti Workers Rescue Team, Aluko, Olaiya and other labour leaders declared an indefinite strike and passed a resolution dissolving NLC and TUC executives led by Mr. Ade Adesanmi and Mr. Odunayo Adesoye respectively.

    Rising from an emergency congress held at Labour House, Ado-Ekiti on Monday and attended by affiliate unions, the union leaders insisted that Aluko and Olaiya lacked powers to declare strike and dissolve excos of the unions having finished their terms.

    Addressing reporters at the end of the congress, NLC Chairman, Adesanmi, urged security agencies to call Aluko and Olaiya to order accusing the duo of working as agents of destabilization.

    Adesanmi said: “The illegal activities of the aforementioned ex-labour leaders acting under the guise of Ekiti Workers Rescue Team came to a climax on Thursday, August 23 when they gathered thugs and molested workers who were carrying out their legitimate and lawful duties.

    “There is need to ask them whose interest were they protecting, because they didn’t act when workers were owed over eight month salaries. They have never engaged the government to pay pensioners but they only woke up after the July 14 governorship election.

    “Sometimes ago, an administrative panel was set up by the outgoing government of Governor Ayodele Fayose against Comrade Aluko and found him guilty of participating in electioneering  in 2015, which was against public service rule. It was the same unions that intervened and ensured that he was pardoned.

    “It is no more news that Comrade Aluko was promoted to the position of Director of Administration at the local government ahead of his seniors and the government looked at this and reverted him to the rightful position. It was clear that this ex-labour leader is aggrieved. But must he hide under non-payment of salary to get at the government?

    “How could labour leaders gathered thugs and pronounced the entire labour structure dissolved. Were they State Executive Council of the labour unions? The two of them are not members of SEC, where now did they derive such powers.

    Read Also: Unpaid salaries: Ekiti labour leaders declare strike

    “With their actions of recent, it is clear that they were only clearing coast for political appointments from the incoming government and not fighting the interest of workers.

    “Following these, they are declared persona non grata in labour circle and they are banned from labour activities for a period of ten years”, he said.

    Reacting to the ban, Aluko maintained that Adesanmi and Adesoye have been proscribed from acting in their positions by workers, having failed to fight for the rights of those that voted them into their respective offices.

    Aluko said Adesoye’s tenure as TUC chairman had lapsed in July, saying he lacked the locus standi to preside over a meeting where any member will be suspended or barred.

    He said: “Can any labour leaders who has been described a persona non grata by the entire workforce preside over a meeting and suspend any member?

    “Two, is the fact that the two labour leaders (Adesanmi and Adesoye) have lost their values. They are enjoying the support of the government, so they can decide to take illegal actions pending the time another government will ascend the throne.

    “But let me say this, workers will send them out of the secretariats by the time this government leaves. TUC Chairman had served out his term, while that of NLC will end in February.

    “I want to assure Adesanmi that he will be the first NLC chairman that won’t complete his term in Ekiti. What he is doing is anti-labour and he shall pay dearly for it.”

  • 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.’

  • Fayose’s aide bags Award from the Students’ Community 

    The Personal Assistant to Gov. Ayodele Fayose on General Administration and Stomach Infrastructure, Mr. Sunday Anifowoshe has once again bagged a honourary award from the National Association of Polytechnic Students, NAPS.
    The award was presented on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti where friends and well wishers of the awardee gathered to celebrate with the Ado born business tycoon cum politician.
    Giving the acceptance speech, the awardee thanked God for His grace in his life, he thanked His Excellency, Chief Ayodele Fayose for giving him platform to be celebrated; describing Fayose as his political father, benefactor and mentor whose leadership style he will continue to emulate.
    Mr. Anifowoshe  urged the students to do away with anything that can turn their their future into a bleak one.
    He said, “Considering the recent happenings in the country, the Nigerian students need to wake-up from their slumber and join forces with the focused youths  who are ready to bail the country out from the tyrants and party of deceits we have in the country now.
    “Permit me to urge those who are yet to  get their voter’s cards should go for it on time so as to kick out impunity in the country in 2019”.
    Presenting the award, the National Public Relations Officer of the National  Association of Polytechnic Students, Com. Olasunkanmi Ijaduoye said the association decided to bestow the honour to Mr. Anifowoshe due to his sense of humility and respect to all and sundry; stressing that only men of courage and confidence can be respected and celebrated.
    Com. Olasunkanmi described Mr. Anifowoshe as a courageous icon, an astute and cognitive thinker, a seasoned analyst, an epitome of excellence with a great heart of gold who will get unflinching support from the entire students in the country if he and when he justles for any elective position.
    “Your unrelenting contributions towards youth/students developmental projects and passion for education was also part of the criteria for this honour”, Olasunkanmi said.

  • INEC gets ten days to investigate Fayose, others for electoral offences

    Lagos lawyer, Kabir Akingbolu has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to, within the next ten days, investigate Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State over alleged electoral offences committed during the June 14 governorship election held in the state.

    Others whom Akingbolu asked INEC to also investigate are the Deputy Governor, Professor Kolapo Eleka and the Acting Chairman of the Ekiti State Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Lere Olayinka for alleged ‘deliberate breach of several provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 before, during and after the said election’.

    “Take notice that if you fail or refuse to commence the investigation of the serious electoral offences disclosed in the petition before the 15th day of August 2018 we shall not hesitate to apply to the Federal High Court for an order of Mandamus to compel you to carry out your statutory duty forthwith. Having regards to your resolve to prosecute all electoral offenders it is hoped that you will not compel us to resort to any litigation over this petition”.

    In a petition to INEC Chairman on Monday, Akingbolu urged the electoral commission to investigate and prosecute Fayose and others in line with section 150 of the Electoral Act, 2010 in view of the gravity of the electoral offences allegedly committed by the suspects.

    He argued that the prosecution of the Ekiti State governor and others would go a long way to curb official impunity during elections conducted by the INEC.

    To facilitate investigation and envisaged prosecution of Fayose and others, Akingbolu promised to make available all the necessary information and documents to support his petition.

    “Since the immunity of two out of the aforementioned suspects i.e. Governor Ayo Fayose and Deputy  Kolapo Eleka will expire in October 2018 the investigation of the serious electoral offences committed by them ought to commence without any delay”, he stated.

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

    The lawyer listed ten electoral offences allegedly committed during the June 14 governorship election by the Governor Fayose and others.

    He alleged that before the official declaration of the results of the governorship election by the Returning Officer, the governor and others allegedly 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.

    He alleged that in the morning of June 14, 2018 the governor and others allegedly assembled a crowd at the Governor’s Lodge where they prayed and persuaded voters to vote for Professor Kolapo Eleka and that 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

    Akingbolu alleged that they advanced and paid the sum of N3,000 to every civil servant on Friday June 13, 2018 with intent that such money shall be expended on bribing voters to vote for Professor Kolapo Eleka.

    According to him, Governor Fayose and others campaigned against Dr. Kayode Fayemi and urged voters not to vote for him in contravention of section 129 (c) of the General Act and that their campaign was tainted with abusive language, which injured religious, ethnic and sectional feelings contrary to section 95 (1) of the Electoral Act.

    Akingbolu alleged that the Ekiti State governor and others threatened to make use of force and violence in contravention of section 131 (a) of the Electoral Act and that they prevented all government aspirants, apart from Professor Kolapo Eleka the free use of the Ekiti State Radio and Television station in contravention of section 131 (d) of the Electoral Act.

    Other allegations were that they 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 and that 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.

  • Fayose’s fall is a signal to Wike, says Edo APC

    The All Progressive Congress in Edo State has said that the failure of Ayodele Fayose in last Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State was a signal to Governor Nyesom Wike and other PDP governors in the South South region.

    It said it would take the lead in next year’s general elections for all the South South states come under the APC.

    State Secretary of the APC, Mr. Lawrence Okah, who stated this in a chat with newsmen urged Nigerians to stop believing what he termed rumors and lies the PDP posted on the social media during the conduct of Ekiti governorship polls.

    Okah stated that the victory of the APC in Ekiti was a signal that the party is ready to win other states in the South South region.

    According to him, “The APC is the party to beat in any election. We went to Ekiti to defect an incumbent. With Ekiti victory, we have taken over the South West. Our next journey is the South South.

    “All those things you hear from the social media will not stop the APC to ensuring that the right thing is done.

    Read Also: Fayose a street-type thug, says Presidency

    “Only a mental person could do what Fayose has done to announce election results. Any sane pêrson knows that only INEC has the powers to announce election result. The FG should send Fayose to a psychiatrist.”

    Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, said the people of Ekiti have demonstrated that they were deceived by Fayose’s stomach infrastructure.

    “You recall that four years ago, this same man was cheated by the ruling PDP out of power and he didn’t complain, he accepted and he moved on but today, the people of Ekiti state have realised that they were cheated and deceived by stomach infrastructure and they have come back and re-elected the man because they have confidence in him.”