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Tag: Ekiti STATE

  • 2019: Ekiti APC gets consensus Assembly candidates

    …Minority Leader, Afuye, four women among flag bearers

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State is now set for the House of Assembly election on March 2 with emergence of consensus candidates for the state parliament.

    Ekiti APC leaders and members have adopted the candidates by consensus to fly the party’s flag at the State Assembly election.

    A party leader who spoke on condition of anonymity said the party constitution allows for emergence of consensus candidates.

    The Assembly flag bearers were adopted on the basis of loyalty to the party, pedigree, previous experience, gender and religious balancing and political factors of their constituencies.

    The source said: “The adoption of Assembly candidates by Ekiti APC was aimed at ensuring that loyal party members make it to House of Assembly and others interested but who are not lucky are not allowed to waste time, money, resources and energy.”

    Only two of the 26 candidates adopted by Ekiti APC have previous legislative experience.

    They are the former Majority Leader, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye (Ikere 1) and the current Minority Leader, Mr. Gboyega Aribisogan (Ikole 1) who has been given the ticket to seek a re-election.

    Afuye also served as Commissioner for Information and Intergovernmental Affairs and Integration.

    Four of the candidates are women; they are former Commissioner for Labour and Human Capital Development, Mrs. Bunmi Adelugba (Emure); former Special Assistant on Media to Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yemisi Ayokunle (Ekiti Southwest 1); former Special Assistant to Deputy Governor, Mrs. Kemi Balogun (Ado 2) and former Personal Assistant to Deputy Governor, Princess Teju Okuyiga (Gbonyin).

    Also adopted as consensus candidates are former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr. Hakeem Jamiu (Irepodun/Ifelodun 2); former Permanent Secretary, Government House and Protocol, Mr. Akin Oso (Ido/Osi 2); former Chairman, Ekiti East Local Government, Mr. Lateef Akanle (Ekiti East 2) and former Caretaker Chairman, Ekiti West Local Government, Mr. Tajudeen Akingbolu (Ekiti West 1).

    Others are Mr. Oluwatoyin Lucas (Ado 1), Mr. Babatunde Lawrence (Ikere 2), Mr. Reuben Awoyemi (Oye 1), Mr. Yemi Osuntuyi (Oye 2), Mr. Adeoye Aribasoye (Ikole 2), Mr. Abiodun Fawekun (Ido/Osi 1) and Mr. Adejuwa Adegbuyi (Ekiti East 2).

    The rest are Mr. Johnson Adeoye (Ekiti West 2), Mr. Olatunji (Ekiti Southwest 2), Mr. Adeyemi Ajibade (Moba 1), Mr. Michael Arubu (Moba 2), Mr. Dele Ajayi (Ise/Orun), Mr. Tope Ogunleye (Ilejemeje), Mr. Ademola Ojo (Ijero) and Mr. Femi Akindele (Irepodun/Ifelodun 2)

    The APC House of Assembly primary, where the candidates will be formally affirmed by party delegates, will hold on October 2.

    House of Assembly election will be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nationwide on March 2, 2019.

  • Fayemi ‘ll do well for Ekiti, says Ogboni Chief

    …Daramola: I’ll join hands with Fayemi to develop Ekiti

    A prominent traditionalist in Ekiti State, Chief Ayodele Famodimu, has predicted a glorious tenure for the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, from October 16 when he takes the reins of office.

    Famodimu, who is undergoing traditional rites before being installed as the Aare Ogboni of Ekiti State, assured that the incoming Fayemi administration would bring new lease of life, comfort and progress to the people of the state.

    Read Also:Fayemi’s transition committee denies stopping EKSU workers’ salaries

    He spoke on Tuesday while receiving senior members of the Ogboni Confraternity at Imesi Ile, as part of preparations for his installment as the Aare Ogboni.

    Famodimu, himself a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), advised Fayemi to be humble and implement pro-people policies in his second coming to power.

    He said: “I am a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and I galvanized support for the party as a reputable man in Ara Ekiti. This time of Fayemi, there will be peace in Ekiti and our youths shall live long and have progress. Fayemi will succeed.

    “As the new Aare of Ekiti, I pray for Fayemi that he will succeed as the Almighty lives. I advise him to be more humble and be a born again. He should right all the wrongs that have been done in Ekiti.

    “He should draw closer to all Ekiti people, especially the common people who have voted overwhelmingly to bring him back. He should do all our bad roads and also revive the dead factories.”

    Meanwhile, former House of Representatives member, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, has commended Fayemi for initiating moves with federal agencies and development agencies to bring succor to Ekiti.

    Daramola, who spoke with reporters in Ado-Ekiti, said the action showed that the governor-elect is on top of the situation to lift Ekiti out of the woods and set it on the path of development.

    The APC chieftain, who has declared interest to run for the House of Representatives seat for Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency seat, promised to team up with Fayemi to restore Ekiti’s lost glory and values.

    Daramola said: “Dr Fayemi is a leader who knows what to do and how to do it. I must say that its comfort and reassuring that Dr Fayemi is cutout for the job.”

    “When was the last time you hear of the outgoing governor meeting with any Minister or Development Partners?

    “Daramola however admonished Ekiti people to keep faith with the incoming APC government as it would build on the enduring legacies laid between 2010 and 2014.”

  • Fayemi’s transition committee denies stopping EKSU workers’ salaries

    The Transition Committee set up by Ekiti State governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has denied instructing any bank to stop the payment of salaries of workers of the Ekiti State University (EKSU).

    The panel said the rumour making the rounds that it has given such an  order was the handiwork of mischief makers.

    The Transition Committee in a statement by its Secretary, Mr. Ayodeji Ajayi, said it does not have such a mandate and no instruction to that effect emanated from it.

    The statement reads: “The attention of JKF/APC Transition Committee has been drawn to a rumour making the rounds in Ekiti State University that it instructed a bank to stop the payment of salaries of  the Ekiti  State University workers.

    Read Also: ‘Fayemi will boost food production’

    “I wish to state that TC (Transition Committee) has no such mandate and so did not discuss such sensitive matters in any of its sittings.

    “Therefore, no such instruction was issued by the Transition Committee.

    “Members of staff of the University are advised to ignore such rumour and take up the matters affecting their welfare with the management of the University.

    “The Committee as a stakeholder in the Ekiti project wishes to advise  the University management to protect its landed properties around Oke  Ila, Ado-Ekiti from spurious sale.”

  • Driver, two passengers kidnapped in Ekiti

    …Abductors demand N5 Million ransom

    The trend of kidnapping has again returned to Ekiti State with the abduction of a bus driver and two others.

    The driver whose name was given as Mr. Julius Ogunsemi was seized by suspected gunmen along Ikere-Igbara Odo Road at about 11.00 am.

    Read Also:Police smash syndicate specialized in issuing kidnapping threats

    Sources revealed that the suspected kidnappers called family members of their captors on Thursday demanding for a ransom of N5 million before they could be set free.

    Ogunsemi, 70, was said to be carrying eight passengers in his Suzuki mini bus locally known as “Akoto” when the gunmen reportedly struck.

    The armed gunmen positioned themselves on a very bad portion of the road which forced vehicles to slow down before pouncing on their victims.

    The suspected kidnappers, who were said to be five in number, abducted three persons and allowed five others to go.

    They were said to have abandoned the mini bus about five kilometers from where they abducted and ferried their victims farther before taking them inside the forest.

    A family member who craved anonymity said: “What those who were in the bus told us was that, eight of them were in the bus around 11am. As they drove towards that route, five hefty men emerged from the bush and stopped the bus.

    “We were told that they were on a bad portion of the road where driver would have to slow down when these evil doers came out and started asking about the identities of those in the bus.

    “After doing the screening, they only abducted three of them and allowed others to go untouched. They drove them in that bus for over five kilometers before they dropped the bus and entered into the bush and took them in another vehicle”, he stated.

    “They have contacted the families of those abducted. What they demanded was N5 million ransom for the release of the trio.

    “They have only called once and they never called since they did that on Thursday. We are still establishing contacts with them but that has not been successful.”

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Caleb Ikechukwu, said the report of the kidnap was yet to reach the state command at press time.

    Ikechukwu said: “I don’t think the family has reported this incident to the police, because we are yet to be briefed here at the command.

    “But I want to assure that the police will swing into action and ensure their safe return as soon as we have truthful information about the incident”.

  • Fayemi’s efforts in boosting food production commendable, says Fatoba

    House of Representatives aspirant in Ekiti State, Mr. Olusola Fatoba, has hailed governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s efforts at improving agricultural production in the state on assumption of office.

    He noted that huge investment in processing units across the value chains of crop export produce in the state, formed part of priority of the incoming APC-led government.

    Fatoba who is contesting to represent Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 1 at the lower chamber of the National Assembly, however, expressed the willingness to join hand with the incoming Governor to achieve the aim of developing agriculture in the state.

    The state has comparative advantage in food and cash crops which include, cocoa, coffee, cassava, rubber, cashew, rice and yam amongst others.

    He said Fayemi’s vision require the supports of people like minds to make Ekiti great again.

    APC chieftain who spoke to newsmen yesterday in Ado Ekiti, while reacting to Fayemi’s visit to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, to seek cooperation with the Ministry on how to  improve agricultural production and employment in the state especially among the youths and to build on YCAD he initiated during his time in office.

    Read Also: Fayemi cautions Fayose on supplementary budget

    Fatoba who posited that agriculture should be given adequate priority to engage teeming unemployed youths and graduates saying such will promote food production and reduce hunger among the people.

    He said: “Part of our blueprint is to strengthen agriculture sector of the state because it has the potential to proffer solutions to major economic challenges bedevilling the society.

    “The fact that this lofty ideas and vision of Governor Fayemi in agricultural sector require a collective efforts, that is why I am offering myself to join in making this his vision a reality for Ekiti State to be great again”.

    Fatoba said boosting the the economy of the state through agriculture demand the political will of Nigerian leaders at all levels of government.

    He promised to use his position to complement efforts of the state government better in boosting  agricultural when elected as member of the House of Representatives.

  • Osun 2018: Saraki, Fayose accuse INEC, police of compromise 

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, have accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigerian police of colluding with the Federal Government to rig elections in states.

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains made the accusation while addressing reporters in Ede, Osun State after the party’s mega rally for its governorship candidate, Sen. Ademola Adeleke.

    Read Also:Oyetola: why Osun deserves govt of continuity

    Saraki said he has observed a trend in recent elections where results declared by INEC shows a huge invalidated number of votes with a narrow margin with which candidates win.

    He said the trend showed in the Bauchi National Assembly bye-election and Ekiti State governorship election.

    Saraki warned INEC and the Federal Government to desist from the trend, saying it is the latest style of rigging the elections in favour of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.

    He said the trend must not repeat itself in tomorrow’s governorship election in Osun State.

    He faulted the declaration of Sen. Adeleke wanted by the police two days before the election.

    His words: “There is a pattern that we have seen and we hope that in this election of Osun we will not see that. When you look at the margin of victory between the party that wins and that party that loses, and you look at the amount of cancellation, you tend to see that the difference is almost the same. We are seeing that trend here, we saw it in Bauchi bye- election and to me, there’s something fishy going on.

    “And so it’s important in a credible election, there should not be that amount of cancellation. And I think INEC needs to step up. In the 2015 election, we never saw this level of cancellation. This is a new trend that is very disturbing and I hope that in this election INEC will show how credible it is and ensure invalid votes should not be like that. When cancellation is more than the margin of victory, then that election carries a big question mark.

    When asked about the level of confidence with which PDP was going into the Osun election, Fayose said the process was already compromised.

    He said: “It is not about level of confidence. We are talking about the process, the process leading to an election. INEC has been compromised, police have been compromised. When they want to arrest they will arrest PDP. When they are doing vote buying it is PDP that will be arrested, not APC. It is whoever police call a criminal that is a criminal. When already police are taking sides, what do we say to that? When you are telling us what level of confidence?  It is about the system, the process. If I come here and arrest you with gun what will you do? If they have the effrontery to say they are declaring the candidate of PDP in an election that is 48 hours away as the criminal to create a perception, you can imagine.”

    He added: “They are taking this state one after the other and they forget that nothing will last forever. We must all condemn this unnecessary, unwarranted assault on democracy…

    “For APC to come here and start talking about corruption, we have had enough of that. I wrote to EFCC that I will be coming on the 16th. I am still a sitting governor, you are declaring me wanted. You said they should be looking for me. I am here today. When I was passing the airport I had to look for Customs officers to tell them ‘I am here if you need someone to arrest.’

    “This is not the country of our dream; this is not the democracy of our dream. For anybody to say PDP wants to rig this election it’s exactly what they want to do that they are now laying on others. You saw what happened in Ekiti. Have you ever seen a governorship election won by under 20,000 votes? They won with 19,000 votes and voided votes were 18,000. The one the Senate President was talking about, their strategy is to invalidate most of the votes when they know that it is not adding up for them. This is not the spirit at all.

    “And I want to say to them if they like they should set Nigeria ablaze. They must remember the children yet unborn. Those who are benefiting from this wickedness should remember that if the last administration were to be like this they would never have got there.”

  • 2019: APC must field popular candidates – Olofin

    A House of Representatives Aspirant and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress APC in Ekiti State, Hon Sola Olofin, has said the Peoples 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.

    “Ekiti electorate 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

  • 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

  • Ado-Ekiti indigenes protest against Fayose over sale of Oba’s market

    Some indigenes of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Thursday took to the streets to protest against Governor Ayo Fayose’s decision to sell shops in the uncompleted Erekesan (Oba’s) Market.

    The protesters described the Oba’s Market as their heritage which cannot be sold off warning the governor to pull the brakes on the plan to sell the shops.

    Besides, they contended that control of market is under the jurisdiction of the local government and not the state government wondering the alleged haste with which the governor wanted to sell the market before exiting office.

    Read Also:Fayose’s offer to surrender to EFCC diversionary, says APC

    They alleged that the governor’s decision to sell the market to buyers was a unilateral one and not done in consultation with Ado-Ekiti indigenes condemning the price of N2 million per shop demanded by the governor which they said was too exorbitant for poor market women.

    The protest was organized by Ado Ewi Indigenes Rights Protection Forum and Ado-Ekiti Youth Coalition. The protesters held a big banner with inscription “Erekesin (Oja Oba) Market Not For Sale, Don’t Sell Ado Ewi Inheritance, Buyers Be Warned, Don’t Lose Your Money.”

    Addressing reporters during the protest, the Akuajo of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Olugbayo Ogunleye, expressed dismay with how Fayose had allegedly reneged on his promise to consider the former occupants of the now ultra-modern market before allocation.

    Joining Ogunleye to address the press at the protest were head of the Aladesanmi royal family, Prince Adedeji Aladesanmi and Babatolu of Ado Ekiti, Chief Kayode Owolabi.

    While noting that the protest became necessary to prevent Ado’s heritage from being traded off, Ogunleye who clarified that the protest had no political undertone, said market is an important
    heritage in Yoruba land which should not be toyed with.

    Ogunleye said: “Our stand is apolitical. We are protesting to preserve the heritage of Ado Ekiti indigenes with regards to Oba’s market. Virtually all over Africa, Nigeria in particular and Yoruba land in particular, Oba’s market are never sold. It can be leased, rented but
    they are not usually sold outright.

    “Again, control of such market is the constitutional rights of the Local Government and not that of the state, because it was a major factor in the internally generated revenue sources of the council.

    “Our fear is that, once it is sold, that market is gone forever and the local government will become poorer. So, we are protesting for the retention of the Local government and the need for it to be administered by the council; market is not for any state.

    “They said people should come and pay as much as N2m before allocated shops, rather than allowing them to rent the place. Even those occupying the place were not given preferential treatment. Where would those just trying to make ends meet get N2 million?”

    The National Secretary of Ado Ekiti Youth Coalition, Olubodun Olukayode, said it was wrong for the governor to have contemplated selling the market, taking cognizance of the premium placed on it by Ado Ekiti people.

    Olukayode said: “We are sounding a note of warning to prospective buyers that the market is not for sale. Though, we have not met the government, but we have registered our protest with Ewi-in-Council. As youths, whatever we do today shall be history tomorrow, so we are here
    to preserve our heritage.

    “We are also pleading to government to return the market to the local government. We have tried to reach out to the local government to intervene but it was dragging feet on the issue, because it is part of the present government.

    “We are of the belief that the matter can be resolved now on the premise that those intending to purchase the market stalls had only paid for forms and not the stores, we believe commonsense can still prevail.

    “We are not blaming Governor Fayose for building the market, but we believe it was wrong for local traders to pay as much as N2m before being allocated shops. We expected the government to allow them to pay rent on the stores either yearly monthly,” he stated.

    The market, located in front of Ewi’s market and formerly being controlled by Ado Local Government, was demolished in 2016 by Fayose and rebuilt into an ultra-modern structure at the cost of about N3 billion.

  • PDP Govs. decry alleged persecution by security agencies

    Governors elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have decried what they described as the politicization of the nation’s security agencies by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government.

    Rising from an emergency meeting of the PDP Governors’ Forum held at the Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja on Monday, the governors accused the security agencies of having become organs and tools of the federal government to harass and intimidate opposition and dissenting voices.

    In a communique issued after the meeting and signed by the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, the governors also complained that security agencies were being used to perpetrate electoral fraud.

    They cited instances of such abuse in states like Ekiti, Osun and Rivers states. They urged the security agencies to be non-partisan in the performance of their duties in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.

    The communique read, “The Forum further condemned the flagrant violation of democratic ethos by operatives of this government as shown recently in the infamous act by the Police at the residence of Elder Statesman, Pa Edwin Clark, and the harassment of innocent Nigerians across the country on frivolous claims.

    Read Also: Sokoto PDP is united, focused -Tambuwal

    “The Forum noted the INEC needs to reinvent itself as a truly independent umpire of the electoral process in the country. For now, we have no confidence in INEC. The commission has conducted itself as a tool of the APC-led Federal Government, especially with the roles of the Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, and a National Commissioner, Mrs. Amina Zakari.

    “The Forum condemned the surreptitious, selective and suspicious payment of N16 billion purportedly from the Paris Club Refund. We are of the view that the money is to fund corrupt inducement of voters in the forthcoming Governorship election in Osun State on September 22, 2018.

    “The Forum resolved to have an all-inclusive meeting with all the presidential aspirants, with the National Chairman, two national officers of the party, and the leaders of the party in both chambers of the National Assembly in attendance”.

    The governors also condemned unequivocally, the refusal or failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to sign into law the amended Electoral Act.

    According to them, the action of the President was an indication that Buhari and his party were afraid of electronic voting or the introduction of technology into the electoral system.