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Tag: Ekiti STATE

  • Insecurity: Ekiti community donates bases to Army, Police

    The people of Ido-Ekiti headquarters of Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State have donated office and residential accommodations to the Army and Police units in the town.

    The facilities were put in place to motivate soldiers and policemen serving in the community for better performance in providing security and check activities of men of the underworld.

    The measure was taken to curb kidnappings, robberies and threats to life and property which was commonplace in Ido until the deployment of a unit of soldiers and siting of a Police Area Command in the town.

    The residential and office buildings are equipped with modern conveniences and are joint project of Ido Progressive Association and Ido Town Council.

    Speaking at a ceremony on Monday where the buildings were handed over to the security agencies, the Olojudo, Oba Ayorinde Ilori Faboro, said the gesture was the community’s contribution to appreciate their efforts in keeping criminals at bay.

    Oba Faboro said the community provided the Police Area Command with a suitable accommodation for successful take off of the new police formation.

    The monarch said the Army was also provided as an incentive to the soldiers who have been in the community since for about three years and helped to nip kidnapping in the bud.

    Read Also: Bamidele storms Ekiti, says he survived death by miracle

    He explained that the Army unit has been doing a great job not only in Ido but in the entire Ekiti North senatorial district.

    The royal father charged the Army  and Police officers on ground to take good care of the facilities which he noted cost the community million of Naira to put in place.

    The facilities were handed over to the Police Area Commander, ACP Nicholas Tamunoemi and the Officer in Charge of the Army Unit, Warrant Officer Abdulkareem Abdulkadir.

    The Police created the new Area Command in Ido to oversee administration and operations in Ido/Osi, Moba and Ilejemeje local government areas.

  • 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”,

  • Ekiti extends long term holidays for primary, secondary schools

    Ekiti State Government on Saturday announced extension of the current long term holidays for students in public and private primary and secondary schools.

    This is contained in a statement by the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Jide Egunjobi, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, in Ado Ekiti.

    The commisioner said all schools would now resume on Sept. 24, as against Sept. 14 earlier resumption date.

    According to the commissioner, the extension of the holidays has become necessary to allow the various schools conduct interviews for fresh students across the state.

    Read Also: Free books for students in Ekiti community

    Besides, he said the extension would also allow for consolidation of the school system before resumption of pupils and students.

    Consequently, all parents, guardians and other stakeholders in the education sector are urged to take note of the extension and disseminate the information appropriately.

    The commissioner implored teachers and workers in various schools to brace up for better service delivery as they waited the new resumption day.

  • Bamidele storms Ekiti, says he survived death by miracle

    …Relives shooting incident that nearly claimed his life

     

    Former House of Representatives member and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, on Friday made a triumphant entry into Ekiti State three months after he was shot by a trigger-happy policeman at a rally.

    Bamidele was received by a massive crowd of supporters who had been waiting for his return from Lagos where he landed from London about a week ago.

    He moved in an open roof Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) across the streets of towns and villages waving the broom and acknowledging cheers from the people.

    Read Also:Bamidele returns from U.S medical treatment

    The convoy of over 50 vehicles made a stopover at Artisans’ House in Dallimore area of Ado-Ekiti where a reception was held in Bamidele’s honour before he returned to Iyin-Ekiti, his hometown, where another party was holding.

    Bamidele had been appointed as the Director General of the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Council before the June 1 shooting incident at APC Secretariat in Ajilosun area, Ado-Ekiti.

    He had on that day joined thousands of party leaders and members to welcome the party’s candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, back into the state after he had resigned from the federal cabinet as the Minister of Mines and Steel Development.

    Bamidele was shot by a mobile policeman attached to one of the APC chieftains. Six other party members were shot as the officer was trying to contain the surging crowd.

    The former Commissioner for Information, Youth and Sports in Lagos State spent 96 days recuperating in London after a surgery was performed on him and was stabilized at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).

    Bamidele, a former governorship aspirant, had declared interest to run for Ekiti Central senatorial district ahead of the 2019 National Assembly election.

    Reliving his experience in London, Bamidele while relaying his experience, revealed that doctors abroad told him in clear terms that he survived the bullet wounds “by miracle.”

    Addressing supporters at the reception held for him in Ado-Ekiti, Bamidele said: “Even the London Doctors told me clearly that I got my healing through miracle.

    “I want to say that it wasn’t money that saved me, but I received the grace of God. Many of the Doctors that treated me in London who were not Godly became born again because of me, while those who believed in God became more dedicated.

    “I was shot in the stomach and thigh, in spite of these, I escaped, I didn’t die. This was because of the prayers of my people here in Ekiti and all over Nigeria.

    “It was a miracle that I survived; it was God that did it.  I thought I would spend more than a year in the London hospital, but I only spent less than 50 days after which I got miraculous healing.

    “I want to thank the good people of Ekiti State across party lines and religious divides, it was their prayers and love that saved me from untimely death,” he said.

    On his senatorial ambition, Bamidele said he started the journey eight years ago and that this might be the appointed time for it to become a reality.

    “I started this journey eight years ago, but our party in its wisdom told me to withdraw and contested for the House of Representatives, which I won. With what I am seeing and outpouring of love and affections from our people, I know it shall be fulfilled this time,” he added.

  • Oni vs Fayemi: Court sets hearing for Sept. 25

    Okays ex-gov’s amended processes

     

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 25 this year for hearing in the suit challenging the eligibility of Ekiti State Governor-elect, Kayode Fayemi for the last governorship election in the state.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba chose the date on Wednesday after granting an application by the plaintiff, Segun Oni, for an amendment to the originating processes.

    Earlier, Oni’s lawyer, Anthony Adeniyi told the court that his client has complied with the order for substituted service on the defendants.

    Fayemi’s lawyer, Rafiu Balogun said his client was just served with the court processes and needed time to respond.

    He agreed to file his client’s response before the next date.

    Oni, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/663/2018 claimed that Fayemi was not qualified to participate in the APC’s primary election held on May 12 this year on the grounds that he allegedly failed to resign his appointment as Minister Mines and Steel Development as required by law.

    According to him, Fayemi won the APC’s primary election on May 12 this year while he was still the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, a position he didn’t officially resign from until May 30.

    He queried Fayemi’s eligibility for the election on the strength of his (Fayemi) purported indictment by the Justice Oyewole Judicial Panel of Enquiry, set up by the state government to probe Fayemi’s first tenure in office.

    Oni, who came second in the primary election by scoring 481 votes behind Fayemi’s 941, wants the court to declare him the valid flag bearer of the APC in the election held on July 14 this year, which Fayemi won.

    Read Also: Fayemi will run all-inclusive govt, says lawmaker

    He also wants “A declaration that the claimant (Oni,) having scored 481 votes which is the majority of lawful and valid votes at the 2nd defendant’s (APC) 12th May, 2018 governorship primaries election for the purpose of determining the 2nd defendant’s candidate for the 14th July 2018 election for the office of Governor, Ekiti State is the person that was validly nominated by the 2nd defendant for the 14th July, 2018 election for the office of Governor, Ekiti State.”

    Oni wants the court to determine “whether by virtue of All Progressives’ Congress constitution and particularly Articles 2 and 5 of All Progressives’ Congress 2014 Guidelines for the nomination of candidates for public office as applicable to the APC Governorship primaries conducted on the 12th May, 2018, the 1st defendant, being a serving member of the Federal Executive and Federal Minister of Solid Minerals, Mines and Steel Development, having not resigned his appointment as a member of Federal Executive and Minister of Solid Mineral, Mines and Steel Development, at all or at least 30 days to the said primaries election of 12th May, 2018, was qualified to contest and participate in the said All Progressive Congress Governorship primaries of 12th May, 2018 as an aspirant in that election.”

    He is also praying the court to determine “Whether by virtue of All Progressive Congress Constitution and particularly Articles 2 and 5 of All Progressive Congress 2014 Guidelines for the nomination of candidates for public office as applicable to the APC Governorship primaries conducted on the 12th May, 2018, at Damilek Event Centre, Ado-Ekiti for the purpose of determining or nominating the 2nd defendant candidate for the 12th July Ekiti State Governorship election, the 1st defendant, having been indicted by Rtd. Hon. Justice Oyewole Judicial Panel of Enquiry, was qualified to contest and participate in the said All Progressives Congress Governorship primary of 12th May, 2018 as an aspirant in that election.”

  • Oni vs Fayemi: Court sets hearing for Sept 25

    *Okays ex-gov’s amended processes

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 25 this year for hearing in the suit challenging the eligibility of Ekiti State Governor-elect, Kayode Fayemi for the last govrnorship election in the state.
    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba chose the date on Wednesday after granting an application by the plaintiff, Segun Oni, for an amendment to the originating processes.

    Read Also: Fayemi: we’ve uncovered Fayose’s plan to sell govt property

    Earlier, Oni’s lawyer, Anthony Adeniyi told the court that his client has complied with the order for substituted service on the defendants.
    Fayemi’s lawyer, Rafiu Balogun said his client was just served with the court processes and needed time to respond.
    He agreed to file his client’s response before the next date.
    Details later.

  • ‘Fayose plans to sell Govt property few days to handover’

    FAYOSE: FAYEMI’S MEN WANT TO SCUTTLE MARKET ALLOCATION

     

    As the change of government beckons in Ekiti State, incoming governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and outgoing governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose have renewed hostilities with accusations from both sides.

    Fayemi said he has uncovered an alleged plan by Fayose to secretly sell off some government property through some shady deals.

    Fayose also accused Fayemi’s agents of making moves to block the allocation of new shops to traders at the new Erekesan Market.

    Fayemi in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Olayinka Oyebode, alleged that Fayose is planning to sell off the Erekesan Market, many parcels of government lands and other utilities.

    He warned that anybody transacting business with Fayose is doing so at his own risk as the incoming administration will not honour such transactions.

    Fayemi said: “The attention of the Governor-Elect of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has been drawn to the clandestine moves by the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose to hurriedly dispose off some valuable properties of Ekiti State Government through shady arrangements.

    “Some of the properties are:
    i. A large expanse of land between Ondo State Civil Service Commission and Elan Club, in front of Government Printing Press, Alagbaka, Akure.
    ii. Erinfun Livestock Development Center, covering 600 hectares of land along Federal Polytechnic Road, Ado-Ekiti.
    iii. The new Oja Oba Market, among others.

    “We hereby inform and advise the general public, particularly prospective buyers to be circumspect in entering into any transaction with the outgoing Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose in respect of any of the properties mentioned above or any other one whatsoever as the incoming administration may not recognize or give effect to such transactions.

    “A word is enough for the wise!”

    But Fayose in a statement by his Special Assistant (Public Communications and New Media), Lere Olayinka, alleged that agents of Fayemi are planning a court action to stop the allocation of shops to market men and women.

    He said: “Desperate APC goons led by Fayemi’s Deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi have concluded plans to scuttle allocation of the over 700 lock up shops in the new Oja Oba market to beneficiaries who have already obtained forms.

    “They are set to go to court to stop allocation of the shops.

    “Meanwhile, these same APC people were against the Market Project when it started.

    “But now that the project is nearing completion, they want to allocate the shops to their cronnies not-minding owners of the shops that were demolished to pave way for the new market.

    “Ekiti people should remember how these same APC people shared the Irewolede Housing Estate, Ado Ekiti Duplexes built by the Segun Oni’s PDP govt.

    “This time around however, the people will prevail. The lock up shops will be allocated just the way the over 200 open shops were openly allocated a few weeks ago.”

  • Ekiti: APC elders urge Oni to withdraw suit against Fayemi

    The Elders’ Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has called on former Governor Segun Oni to withdraw the suit challenging the eligibility of the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to stand as candidate in the last governorship election.

    The body made the appeal at a meeting held on Wednesday in Igbara Odo, Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area, presided over by its Chairman, Chief George Akosile.

    The issue formed the major topic of discussion at the APC Elders’ Forum meeting with members resolving that withdrawal of the case by Oni would be in interest of the party and Ekiti State.

    Read Also:Ekiti poll tribunal: Fayemi assembles eight SANs, 27 others for defence

    According to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting a copy of which was made available to reporters in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, the APC elders said the withdrawal of the case by Oni and his group will facilitate an out-of-court settlement.

    In the communiqué signed by Akosile and the Forum’s Secretary, Chief Abiodun Ajayi, the group resolved to send a five-man delegation to Oni with a letter appealing for the withdrawal of the case.

    The Ekiti APC Elders’ Forum also resolved to send a memo to Fayemi to reconcile the aggrieved (Oni) group with a view to withdrawing the case from court and their inclusion in the forthcoming administration.

    The communiqué reads: “The Ekiti State APC Elders’ Forum at its meeting held on Wednesday, 29th August, 2018 under its Chairman, Asiwaju George Akosile at Igbara Odo Ekiti, having reviewed the various steps taken by the Forum on the above subject matter including the following:

    *Sending of a five (5)-man delegation with a letter to Asiwaju Segun Oni appealing for the withdrawal of the case from the Court

    *Invitation and meeting with the representatives of Asiwaju Segun Oni at Igbara Odo, Ekiti

    *Sending a memo to the Governor-elect as to reconcile the aggrieved group with a view to withdrawing the case from Court and their inclusion in the scheme of things in the forthcoming administration in Ekiti State, from our findings, the Elders’ Forum is aware that the case is still pending in the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    “We hereby wish to appeal to Asiwaju Segun Oni and his group to withdraw the case from the Federal High Court, Abuja as to facilitate an out-of-court settlement in the interest of the APC Family in Ekiti State, in particular and Nigeria in general.”

    The former governor is urging the court to nullify Fayemi’s candidacy on grounds that he (Fayemi) did not resign from his position as Minister of Mines and Steel Development 30 days before the APC primary.

    Fayemi won the APC governorship primary held on May 12 in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by polling a total of 941 votes beating Oni, who scored 481 votes to the second place and 31 other aspirants

    Oni also dragged Fayemi to court on grounds that he was indicted by Ekiti State Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Ayo Fayose and handed a 10-year ban from holding public office.

    Oni, as the Claimant/Applicant filed a suit before a Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba. The suit is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/663/18.

    Joined as Defendants/Respondents in the case are Dr. Fayemi, APC and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The court on 20th August issued an ex parte order for substituted service on the defendants.

    Justice Dimgba ordered: “Upon the Motion Ex Parte dated and filed on the 9th day of August, 2018 praying for the following reliefs:

    *An order of substituted service of the Originating Summons and other processes in this suit on the 1st Defendant by substituted means, to wit; by delivering the processes to the Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Ekiti State, the 2nd Defendant, at the party’s secretariat, No 156, Ajilosun Street, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, or alternatively

    *Service on the 1st Defendant by delivering of the said processes to the Administrative Officer of the JKF Centre, the operational office of the 1st Defendant.

    Oni’s supporters said the court case was triggered by alleged non-inclusiveness, ostracisation, marginalization and demonstration of open hatred for them by Fayemi’s supporters.

    They said the legal action would defend their rights, privileges and interests within the party alleging that they are suffering so much unwarranted abuse and humiliation in the party.

  • EKSU VC emerges Vice-Chancellors chairman

    The Vice-chancellor of Ekiti State University, Professor Samuel Oye Bandele has been unanimously appointed as the chairman of the committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian State-Owned Universities (CVCSUN)

    The appointment was made during the just concluded 33rd edition of the association’s conference which held at Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State where Bandele was represented by EKSU Deputy Vice-chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olubunmi Ajayi.

    Bandele succeeds Prof. Doknan Sheni, former Vice-chancellor of Plateau State University, Bokkos who has since retired.

    The new chairman, who did not attend the meeting because of an official engagement elsewhere, received the news with a pledge of commitment to lift the association to greater heights.

    Read Also: Fayemi praises EKSU for performance

    Observers believe that the appointment of the EKSU Vice-chancellor is an attestation to the visibility of Ekiti State University, the leadership quality and the good performance of Professor Bandele among his peers.

    Bandele, the 7th substantive Vice-chancellor of Ekiti State University had earlier served as the Acting Chairman of the Association following the disengagement of the former chairman Prof. Doknan Sheni of the Plateau State University.

  • Ekiti poll tribunal: Fayemi lines up eight SANS to defend mandate

    All is now set for legal fireworks at the Ekiti State Election Petition Tribunal following the filing of the defence of the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the registry on Wednesday.

    The governor-elect filed a 2,558-page reply to the petition filed by the defeated candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Kolapo Olusola.

    The incoming governor also brought to the Tribunal Registry 3,500 exhibits including plethora of documents gathered to defend his victory at the poll.

    Fayemi, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner of the July 14 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The governor-elect has also assembled a crack team of lawyers including eight Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) twenty seven other lawyers to be led by Prince Lateef Fagbemi.

    Fagbemi, an election petition expert, was renowned for achieving victory in court for former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi, when the Supreme Court ruled that he be sworn in without participating in the 2007 election.

    The apex court held that votes won by Amaechi, who is currently Minister of Transportation, was deemed to have been cast for his then party,  PDP, sacking Mr. Celestine Omeiha from office after spending five months in power.

    Others SANs in Fayemi’s legal team are former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi; Dr. Kayode Olatoke, Mr. John Baiyeshea, Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko, Mr. Yomi Aliyu, Mr. Adesegun Ajibola and Mr. Hakeem Afolabi.

    Fayemi’s major prayer in his defence is that the Tribunal should dismiss the petition filed by Olusola for “lacking merit.”

    Read Also: Fayemi will run all-inclusive govt – Lawmaker

    Olusola had on August 3 filed a 700-page petition urging the Tribunal to declare him winner. He claimed that he scored the highest number of lawful votes.

    Speaking with reporters after filing the petition, Olatoke, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said Olusola’s petition was a “waste of time as it lacked substance” and was sure that the case would be dismissed by the tribunal.

    He explained further that Fayemi won fair and square in 12 out of the 16 local governments areas of  the state, while Olusola won in four.

    In his response to Olusola’s petition bordering on alleged over voting in some polling units, Olatoke dismissed this claim as frivolous and baseless.

    He said Olusola’s first ground in his petition is based on Fayose’s phantom indictment, which had been nullified and set aside by a competent court, Olatoke said.

    “The second ground of Olusola’s petition is alleged over voting, which is another false claim. In any case, the petition in  itself is self-defeating.

    “The  third ground is on deliberate voiding of votes as alleged by Olusola but in actual fact, majority of the voided ballots were votes meant for Fayemi, while the fourth ground is on vote buying which is baseless as it was, Olusola’s sponsor, Fayose that was guilty of this.

    “Fayemi won convincingly based on his popularity,” Olatoke said.

    No date has been fixed for hearing.