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Tag: Ekiti STATE

  • Learn from Fayose’s downfall, Cleric tells Fayemi

    Egbeyemi: Our govt will take care of everybody

    An Islamic cleric, Alhaji Raheem Arikewuyo Olowoyo, has advised Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to learn from the downfall of his predecessor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, in exercising power given to him by the electorate.

    Olowoyo said those who wield the position of power will leave office one day and should always ponder on life after office.

    According to him, people in position of power must learn from the fact that Fayose, who still wielded power of life and death just a week ago, is now cooling his heel in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Olowoyo, who is the Awiye Adinni of Ekiti land, said transience of power should motivate those holding positions of leadership to do well and be accountable to people because of the impending day of reckoning.

    The cleric spoke on Thursday at the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service held at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti as part of activities to mark the coming to power of the Fayemi administration.

    The service was attended by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; wife of the governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Margaret Egbeyemi; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Adeniran Alagbada; traditional rulers, religious leaders and senior civil servants.

    The Awiye Adinni spoke while leading Muslim prayer for the success of the new Fayemi administration.

    Anglican Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Omotunde, prayed that God will not allow Ahithophels to get into government and mislead the governor.

    Olowoyo said: “By this time last week, it was whoever Fayose wanted that will be allowed to enter this Government House and whoever he did not want will not be allowed in.

    “But where is Fayose today? Where is Fayose today? Fayose is now a former governor, the governor that is there today will be a former governor tomorrow.

    “Three days have gone out of four years and that is how the four years will be reducing gradually. People are talking about good things and bad things Fayose did in power.

    Read Also: Fayemi: Second phase of rescue mission

    “Fayemi is a good man and God has given him a wonderful woman as wife and they don’t underrate people. My prayer is that God will not allow evil people to be part of this government.”

    Delivering the Muslim sermon, the state Missioner of Ansar-ud-Deen Society, Alhaji Baba Abdul Salam, described position of power as “trial from God.”

    Abdul Salam urged leaders in the country to rule with justice and fair play adding that Fayemi has begun well and must be supported with prayers to succeed.

    He said: “This is a good beginning, Fayemi is exposed, he has interacted with Presidents and world leaders and he has come to do well in this second term.”

    Delivering the Christian sermon, Ekiti Provincial Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Goke Kuti, assured that the state will take its pride of place in Nigeria under Fayemi.

    Speaking on the topic: “Possess Your Possession,” Buti said God the Fayemi administration should not see any impossibility but must go forth and do exploits for the people

    Buti said: “In this administration, we should not see impossibility, it is time for God to make Ekiti great. We can overcome poverty, unemployment and other problems confronting this state.”

    Speaking on behalf of the governor who was attending the Governors’ Forum meeting in Abuja, Egbeyemi assured that the new government will not discriminate in making people feel impact of governance.

    Egbeyemi said: “Whether you are a member of APC, PDP or any other party, if your children are in public schools, they will enjoy free education because this government is a friend to everybody.

    “We will do more than what we did during the first tenure. I moved round with the governor during the campaign and there are projects to show in all towns and villages.

    “We have said we are not probing anybody but we want to look into the books because workers want us to pay them, pensioners want us to pay them and we are going to work out how we will pay them.

    “An emaciated child cannot be fed to become robust in one day; we will be doing it gradually. We want our spiritual fathers to keep on praying for us to succeed in this task.”

  • Fayemi cancels Fayose’s education tax, restores free education

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has cancelled the education development levy imposed on pupils of public and private schools by former Governor Ayo Fayose.
    Fayemi gave the order on Tuesday at the Ekiti North senatorial town hall meeting held in Ido-Ekiti as part of activities to mark his inauguration.
    The governor declared free education in public primary and secondary schools to give indigent children access to education.
    The Fayose regime imposed N1,000 on all pupils and students in private and government-owned schools.
    The imposition of the levy was challenged in court by Catholic Diocese of Ekiti and is now before the Court of Appeal, Ado-Ekiti Division.
    Fayemi said free education was one of the cardinal policies of his first administration describing education as a legacy that must not go beyond the reach of the poor.

    Read Also: Thousands witness Fayemi’s inauguration in Ekiti

    The governor advised candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who won at the last primaries to be magnanimous in victory and carry the losers along ahead of the general elections.
    He stressed that the winners are candidates of his party and not his (Fayemi’s) candidates hence all hands must be on deck to ensure their victory.
    Fayemi also urged the people of the state to vote overwhelmingly for President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 16 presidential election.
    The President, according to him, needs the votes of the Ekiti electorate to return to office and consolidate on the gains achieved during his first term.

  • Inauguration: Fayemi unfolds four-point agenda

     …TAKES OATH OF OFFICE

     

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, was on Tuesday sworn into office with a promise to work harder and better the lives of the people.

    Fayemi promised not to disappoint the people who gave him a rare privilege of coming to office for the second time.

    Speaking shortly after the oath of allegiance and the oath of office was administered on him and the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, by the Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, Fayemi said he is not on a revenge mission.

    Fayemi who took the oath of office at about 12.25 pm said he will ensure that the payment of arrears of workers’ salaries is fully and firmly addressed as soon as possible.

    The governor said his administration will concentrate on four cardinal areas to make the difference in the life of the people.

    These include agriculture and rural development, social investment, infrastructure development and entrenching knowledge economy.

    He pleaded for the patience and understanding of Ekiti people and promised not to let them down.

    Read Also; Inauguration: Fayemi pledges to review abandoned projects in Ekiti

    The governor said he will review all documents to know the exact financial situation of the state and make findings known to the people within 100 days.

    According to him, the day signalled the “end of an era and end of an error in which Ekiti passed through wilderness in the last four years.”

    More reports coming later…

  • Breaking: Fayemi’s wife visits Fayose at Govt. house ahead of inauguration

    Members of the Inauguration Committee/Transition Committee set up by Ekiti State Governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Saturday paid a working visit to the Government House.
    The visit was aimed at ensuring the success of the October 16 inauguration and comfort of eminent personalities that will grace the occasion.
    Led by the wife of the governor-elect, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, the committee was received by outgoing Governor Ayo Fayose.
    Fayose, who received the team, restated his readiness to cooperate with the incoming administration.

    Read Also: Fayemi…Back on familiar turf

    He disclosed that he will officially hand over the Government House on Sunday to the Head of Service, Dr. Gbenga Faseluka.
    Mrs. Fayemi commended Fayose for hosting the committee noting that the visit and inspection was part of the committee’s assignment.
    She expressed delight that on the availability of the complex to host some of the guests that will be on ground for Fayemi’s inauguration.
    Those on Mrs. Fayemi’s entourage include Mr. Deji Ajayi, Mr. Tade Aluko, Mr. Dapo Karonwi, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji and Mrs. Bunmi Obanise.

  • Political appointees, friends shun Fayose’s farewell dinner

    Food, drinks wasted

     

    The reality of life outside power has begun to dawn on outgoing Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose as he is being deserted by loyalists before finally leaving the exalted number one seat.

    Many of the political office holders, aides party faithful and supporters of the governor shunned a farewell dinner held in his honour on Friday night at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti.

    The failed dinner was one of the week long activities to mark the end of Fayose’s tenure. A new governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, will be inaugurated on Tuesday at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti.

    The sight of empty seats and wasted food and drinks were the major feature of the dinner at the Government House paivilion.

    The dinner which ought to have begun at 7:00pm stipulated time, could not record up to 20 of the expected guests till about 12 midnight

    Only journalists, armed security men, protocol officers and members of the team of a musician contracted to perform at the ceremony were present, as at 11pm.

    Those conspicuously absent at the valedictory dinner were members of the state House of Assembly and political appointees loyal to the governor, Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries.

    The development made food and drinks meant for the entertainment of guests to be wasted.

    A Government House source disclosed that many of those invited are agitated over one issue or the other.

    The source, who craved anonymity, disclosed that aside from the governor who paid himself and his deputy lump sum as severance package, including parting vehicles, none of the remaining appointees was paid a dime.

    “Besides, all the 16 Local Government chairmen are battling to save their jobs in the court, as information was rife on Friday that the incoming governor had concluded arrangement to dissolve the councils anytime soon after his swearing-in on Tuesday.

    Read Also: Fayose hands over to HOS, presides over last cabinet meeting

    “The comments of the governor earlier in the day also sounded shocking to most political appointees when he told them that whatever that anyone of them may likely encounter in the hands of the new governor should be taken calmly as such were a prize of leadership.

    Commenting on the development, one of the personal domestic staff of the outgoing governor, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was not in any way disappointed by the people’s attitude, as such was common with human beings.

    He recalled that when the governor was still very much in power, thousands of people would always answer his call at the slightest notice, such that the venue of any event organized by him was always overcrowded.

    A political appointee who spoke in confidence said: “How do you expect me at such a dinner. Fayose only took care of himself and family, he did not take care of us because majority of us who served under him are suffering.

    “As I am talking to you, he had not paid our severance allowance and his owing us many allowances. He denied us opportunities to assist people in our constituencies. That is why myself and a good number of my colleagues shunned the so-called dinner.”

    Before the failed dinner, the governor had evening handed over the instruments of office to the Head of Service, Dr. Gbenga Faseluka.

    He surrendered the handover note to Fsseluka at a special valedictory State Executive Council meeting at the new Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    Fayose said history would be kind to him the way he managed the resources in trust for the people of the state.

    He said he would be available to answer questions on who he ruled the state anytime he is called upon to do so.

    Fayose said: “What has a beginning must have an end. It is not the number of years spent but the quantity and quality of achievements.

    “I thank the people of the state for their cooperation and urge them to extend same to the incoming administration.

    “I’m a man who came, saw and conquered. I can’t finish all, I have done my best.

    “History will be kind on me as a man who has given his best to the people. I will remember all for your support, I bear no grudges against anyone.”

  • Adetimehin wins ADC reps ticket in Ekiti

    Prince Abiodun Adetimehin has won the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket in Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1 in the 2019 National Assembly polls.

    His emergence was consequent upon a consensus and affirmation principle adopted by the party to nominate those who will fly its flag across the six federal constituencies and three senatorial districts of the state.

    The exercise which was conducted at the ADC Ekiti State secretariat in Ajilosun was supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission in line with the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

    Accepting his nomination as the ADC candidate for Adetimehin said he had entered into a covenant with God that He should use him to deliver His people just as He used Moses.

    Read Also: Aisha Buhari disassociates self from ADC’s arrest

    He said the target result could only be achieved if government is in the hand of people if good conscience which he represents.

    Addressing party members, Chairman of the Party in the Southwest, Mr Kola Olawolu described the ADC as the most credible alternative to the status quo in Nigeria.

    Olawolu charged the candidates of the party to sell its manifesto in their campaigns to demonstrate to the electorate that the ADC was ready to change the face of governance in Nigeria.

    Also, state Chairman of the party, Prince Afolayan Akutupu explained that ADC adopted the consensus option to avoid the unjustifiable spending and fierce competition associated with party primaries.

  • 2019: Ekiti PDP aspirants plot mass defection to APC

    Many People’s Democratic Party (PDP) State and National Assembly aspirants in Ekiti State have resolved to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) over alleged imposition of candidates by Governor Ayo Fayose.

    They accused the governor of having overbearing influence on the Screening Committee sent from the PDP National Secretariat to scrutinize the suitability of the aspirants for the seats they are contesting for.

    Describing reasons given for their disqualification as “feeble and untenable,” the PDP aspirants said the action was allegedly taken by the governor in collusion with the Gboyega Oguntuase-led State Executive Committee “to give room for the present occupants of the seats to emerge by consensus, which they described as anti-democratic.”

    Despite their pleas to the NWC and lodgement of complaints before the PDP appeal panel, their  hopes were on Saturday dashed with clear indications from the National headquarters of the party that the affected aspirants stand disqualified.

    One of the aspirants told our correspondent in Ado Ekiti on Monday that those who fell prey of manipulation in PDP are mobilizing their members and considering dumping the party for the APC.

    According to him, a top member of the NWC said that the party was under stringent instruction from the power brokers in Ekiti that only the incumbent should be allowed to emerge by consensus.

    Those that were favored by the governor, according to him were: Hon Ayodeji Oladimeji, representing Ado/Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Hon Kehinde Agboola, representing  Oye/Ikole Federal constituency I, Hon Thaddeus Aina, Ido/Moba/Ilejemeje Federal Constituency, Hon Segun Adekola , Ekiti Southwest/Ikere.Ise constituency.

    He said only those that had fallen out with Fayose; Hons Ola Oni, representing Ijero/ Efon/Ekiti West and Akin Awodumila, representing Gbonyin/Emure/Ekiti East were to be replaced with those perceived to be loyal to the governor.

    The aggrieved aspirant added that Oni was to be substituted  with the name of the present Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Bisi Kolawole, on account of his defection to APC while Awodumila would be replaced by another person on account  of old age and alleged ineptitude.

    Read Also: 2019: Ekiti APC members affirm Buhari’s candidacy

    The aspirant, who doesn’t want his name in print said,   what he called ‘political tsunami’ would hit the Ekiti chapter of the party and that over  10 of them are already poaching the party members for the mass defection to APC.

    He said the leadership of the APC, led by its new State Chairman, Barrister Paul Omotoso, has been contacted and that the opposition party is enthusiastic to have them in its fold.

    “We are keeping our strategies to our chests, we are making serious incursion into PDP and our efforts are gaining wider acceptability because of what our people have been reduced to.

    “There is a big difference between being a supporter of someone or being a slave. Our party members in Ekiti have been reduced to slaves, this was not only pathetic but very unfortunate.

    “We lost the July 14 election on account of arrogance. We lost to highhandedness because many party’s founding leaders like: Chief Clement Awoyelu, Dare Bejide, Dr Sikiru Lawal , Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Senator Ayo Arise, Ropo Adesanya , Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan , Sunday Akinniyi and many too numerous to mention left the party on account of despotism that has become the order of the day.

    “It pained us that a party that just lost election could be doing this. We thought sanity will prevail but our Ekiti PDP has been deeply immersed in insanity. It is on this premise that we are considering pitching our tent with APC where we feel our rights and aspirations can be fulfilled and it is going to be in a matter of days”, he said.

    But the PDP Publicity Secretary in Ekiti, Jackson Adebayo justified the disqualification, saying it was done in line with the party’s guidelines on eligibility for elective positions.

    Adebayo, who responded to attempt by aggrieved aspirants to dump the party, said there was no justifiable reason for such since all the contestants were given the party’s guidelines regarding the positions and stipulated criteria for the seats.

    “I don’t think we have problem with our primary in Ekt PDP. Our primaries for the Senate, House of Representatives and Assembly contests start from tomorrow till Thursday. Nobody was wrongly disqualified, it was done in line with our party’s guidelines.

    “All the contestants were fairly screened. No favouritism at all regarding qualifications.  It was purely done based on merit and eligibility. All the aspirants knew criteria for qualification and whoever fell victim didn’t meet the set criteria  and not out of victimization”, Adebayo stated.

    This disturbing news came barely one week some House of Representatives aspirants   besieged the PDP  Secretariat located in Ajilosun area of Ado Ekiti, where they protested violently against the clandestine moves  to disqualify them from the race.

    The aggrieved aspirants, who were vying for the  House of Representatives contests in their various federal  constituencies include: Mr Segun Olanipekun, Ademola Salami, Temitope Oluwatosin Ajayi, Goke Omidiran Chief David Arowolo, Adekunle Ojo, Ibrahim Mumini Adewale,  Mr. Victor Alale and Mrs Kemi Adewumi .

    The protest, spearheaded by  these six House of representatives aspirants and their backers , accused the members of the PDP Screening Committee , led by Mr Seye Shonuga ,  sent by Chief Uche Secondus led National Working Committee (NWC) to screen the aspirants  of allegedly subverting the process to give way for automatic tickets to Fayose’s close allies and present occupants of the seats.

  • Fayemi, Ekiti APC congratulate Oyetola

    Fayemi: It’s time for regional integration and development

    APC: New dawn in Osun

    Ekiti State Governor-Elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have congratulated Osun State Governor-elect Gboyega Oyetola on his victor.

    While Fayemi said the Southwest regional integration and development agenda will now become a reality, Ekiti APC urged Oyetola to consolidate on the gains recorded under outgoing Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    Fayemi in a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media, Olayinka Oyebode, described the keenly contested election as a reflection of the huge political awareness and maturity of the people of Osun State, adding that it was heart-warming that the better candidate emerged victorious.

    He said: “Congratulations to the Governor-Elect, Gboyega Oyetola, and to our great party, APC.  The people have spoken, and clearly too. It is indeed victory for democracy and all lovers of progress.

    “The regional integration and development agenda of the South West would now become a reality, with all the attendant benefits for the people of the geo-political zone.”

    Read Also: Osun: Oyetola wins

    Dr Fayemi, who described Oyetola as a seasoned administrator and astute manager of men and resources, said he is confident the Governor-elect will take the state to the next level of development, having been a part of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s development-focused administration.

    Ekiti APC in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ade Ajayi, described the victory as an opportunity for Oyetola to build on the good works of the Aregbesola administration that he described as “the builder of modern Osun.”

    Ajayi expressed optimism that the governor-elect would father transform Osun with the people-centered manifesto of the APC going by his antecedents and exploits as  a loyal party man who stood by his principal.

    While pledging collaboration and cooperation with Osun APC, Ajayi commended Aregbesola for ensuring that the party retains Osun despite the “antics of some retrogressive and reactionary elements.”

    The Ekiti APC hailed the people of Osun State for their steadfastness and peaceful conduct before, during and after the election urging opposition parties to accept the result in good faith and cooperate with the governor-elect on the task of building a prosperous state.

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

    Government offices were locked in Ekiti State on Thursday as workers  complied with the Labour directive to stay away from work on the first day of the nationwide warning strike.

    The officials of the state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) moved round to ensure compliance with the strike.

    The Governor’s Office, House of Assembly, High Court complex, the State Secretariat housing Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) remained desolate.

    Private business organisations like shops, hotels,  petrol  stations,  eateries, banks opened for business.

    Some of the banks that opened earlier in the day closed again at about 1.00pm when labour leaders were moving around to ensure compliance.

    Read Also: Accident claims 18 in Ekiti

    Commercial motorcycle operators, taxi and bus drivers defied the strike order and continued their activities unabated.

    State TUC chairman, Mr. Odunayo Adesoye, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance expressing optimism that workers in the informal sector would comply in subsequent days.

    Adesoye, who justified the strike, argued that the present minimum wage was no longer sustainable.

    He disclosed that the organized labour may picket offices where the strike appeared ineffective on its first day.

    Adesoye said: “We expect that the banks, commercial drivers, Okada operators and sole business owners will participate in this strike. We have reached out to the Civil Society Organisations to ensure will mobilize for the strike

    “We are not going to shy away from picketing areas that fail to conform with our directive as given from Abuja

    “This is a fight that has to do with our collective destiny. We must ensure that our commonwealth should be evenly distributed. It shouldn’t be concentrated in the hands of a few Nigerian leaders to begin to feed fat on the nation

    “What they said they are giving us is a take home, but what we are getting cannot take us half home in the real sense of it, so we must demand for a fair share of our national treasure.”

  • Ekiti workers to join nationwide strike

    Labour unions in Ekiti State have directed workers in both public and private sectors to stay at home from Wednesday to press home for a new minimum wage.

    The state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) said on Tuesday that the strike will be total.

    The state NLC Chairman, Raymond Adesanmi and his TUC counterpart, Odunayo Adesoye, said the directive affects government workers, including commercial drivers, Okada operators, banks, market men and women should stay off businesses.

    The TUC boss, who spoke on behalf of the labour leaders, said the strike action will be total in Ekiti, saying the body had already entered into agreement with Civil Society Organisations to ensure its success.

    Read Also: Ekiti PDP aspirants ‘vandalise party’s secretariat’

    He said the leaderships of the labour centers in Ekiti had agreed to work together and ensure the success of the nationwide strike, which begins 12 midnight on Tuesday.

    Adesoye said:“The strike action in Ekiti commencing from tomorrow will be total. It is going to be a total paralysis, because both public and private sectors will be affected.

    “The banks, commercial drivers, Okada operators and sole business owners will participate in this strike. We have reached out to the Civil Society Organisations to ensure will mobilize for the strike.

    “We are not going to shy away from picketing areas that fail to conform with our directive as given from Abuja.”