The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ekiti

  • Fayose asks DMO, banks to publish Ekiti debt profile

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has challenged the Debt Management Office (DMO), commercial banks and All Progressives Congress (APC) to publish any debt he owes since coming to power.

     

    Contrary to the claims of the opposition, Fayose insisted that he has not committed the state to any debt by means of bond from capital market or loans from commercial banks.

     

    Speaking with reporters on Sunday at the Governor’s Office, Ado Ekiti, Fayose  justified the purchase of a N75 million Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle for himself as a “parting gift.”

     

    Reacting to the claim of the Transition Committee set up by the governor-elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi, that record from DMO showed that Ekiti debt profile under him has ballooned to N117 million,  Fayose described the allegation as a “cheap blackmail and lie from the pit of hell.”

     

    Fayose said: “When Fayemi was leaving as governor in 2014, he left with  a car and so did other governors before him. So, you can’t expect me also not to have a befitting car when I am leaving office.

     

    ” Fayemi himself ordered a Jeep of almost N7 million for me when l was still Governor-elect in 2014, but he didn’t pay for it. I had also bought a Jeep for former Governor Niyi Adebayo to honour him. That is how it is done every four years.

     

    ” If Fayemi’s government wants to probe me, I will present myself and would not behave like a coward like he did.  I have served Ekiti, l have given my best. Relevant documents will be handled over to the in-coming administration at the appropriate time.

     

    “I have not committed Ekiti to one Naira since I assumed office as governor for the second term. I haven’t borrowed from any financial institutions.

     

    “They should stop just saying it and publish any record of debt from any bank or the Debt Management Office (DMO) as evidence. I did not borrow or take any bond or borrow from any financial bank.

     

    “In my first tenure, I left N10.4 billion in the covers of government but I started this administration on October 16, 2014 meeting huge debt incurred by my predecessor.

     

    “The last administration of Fayemj brought Ekiti to N25 billion million bond and N32 billion commercial loan and the state will pay the bond until year 2022. The commercial loan was restructured like it was done for other states, Fayemi stated.

  • Ekiti State APC gets new party executives

    The All Progressives Congress, (APC)  in Ekiti state on has adopted and inuagurated a new  35-member State Executive Council.

    The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that an immediate past state Secretary of the party, Mr. Paul Omotoso, emerged as its new state Chairman.

    The adoption and inuaguration of the new exco was held at a marathon stakeholders’ meeting at Iyin Ekiti, hometown of former state governor and current National Deputy Chairman, (South) of the party, Chief Niyi Adebayo.

    This came after a motion moved by a former Senator, chief Ayo Arise and seconded by a former Minister of State for Works, Dayo Adeyeye.

    Present at the forum included the Chairman of the local organising committee for the congress and Deputy-Governor-elect in Ekiti, chief Bisi Egbeyemi, INEC officials and APC leaders across the state.

    NAN reports that a former Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Ahamad Muhammad, led a team of national delegation at the event.

    Among the new state officers are Mr. Sola Elesin as Deputy Chairman, Mr. Ogunsakin Kayode as State Secretary and Mr. Ade Ajayi as the new Public Relations Officer, (PRO) among others.

    In an acceptance speech, the new state chairman pledged to be above board and work towards repositioning the party for greater results.(NAN)

  • Fayose signs ‘controversial’ N10b supplementary budget

    …ACCUSES BUHARI, FAYEMI OF HYPOCRISY

     

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose on Friday signed the ‘controversial’ N10 billion supplementary appropriation bill into law insisting no law was violated in the process.

    The supplementary budget was considered by 14 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly members passing through first, second and third reading before being passed at a sitting on Friday that was less than one hour.

    The PDP legislators led by Speaker Kola Oluwawole brought the document for Fayose’s assent at the Governor’s Office which grants him the right to spend the money before leaving office on October 15.

    Fayose, while signing the budget, dismissed criticisms from the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) saying his predecessor did the same thing on the eve of his departure from office in 2014.

    He said: “It is amusing to hear that Dr Kayode Fayemi said the revised budget being signed today was unnecessary. He (Fayemi) signed his own on September 15, 2014 exactly a month to his leaving office, now I’m signing my own on September 14. They should keep quiet and stop crying wolf, I’m still the governor.

    “It is laughable that Fayemi won’t stop at anything to blackmail me even when he had to go to ridiculous level.”

    “This revised budget being signed today September 14, 2018, Fayemi didsign the same kind of budget on September 15, 2014 when he had less than a month to leave office. May be he has forgotten, but Ekiti people are not suffering from dementia and are students of history.

    “The Clerk of the House in 2014 when Fayemi signed his revised budget, Mr Tola Esan is still the clerk and he is here today. We are not robots and when there are things to attend to we will still do that before we leave office.

    “When Fayemi finally resumes, he can turn the state upside down, history will record him.”

    Accusing President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC of “taking hypocrisy to a ridiculous height in governance,” Fayose said he had acted within the law by sending the budget to the assembly for appropriation.

    “They are confusing Nigeria, confusing the public, I don’t know the level they have taken hypocrisy to.

    “Recently President Buhari paid for fighter jets from excess crude account without appropriation, and heaven did not fall. This is sheer hypocrisy.”

    The governor urged the Assembly to cooperate with Fayemi when he assumes office in the interest of the state.

    “Don’t fight Fayemi when he comes, serve Ekiti. Ekiti is our common goal, politicians will come and go.

    “Do your work and leave them to their conscience and their propaganda.”

  • Updated: Fayose surrenders self to EFCC

    Says I’ll be your guest on October 16

    The reality of life outside power has begun to dawn on Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose as he has signified intention to answer questions on management of funds under his watch.

    Fayose has promised to make himself available at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) barely 24 hours after the expiration of his constitutional immunity.

    He is expected to vacate the state’s number one seat for his predecessor in office, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on October 15 as the latter will be sworn to office the following day.

    Fayemi, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeated the outgoing Deputy Governor, and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, at the July 14 governorship election.

    The Ekiti governor said his decision was sequel to “several and serial actions of the EFCC for sometime now including the freezing of his bank accounts.”

    According to him, he has concluded arrangements to show up at the Abuja headquarters of the anti-graft agency at 1.00 pm on the said date.

    The letter communicating the governor’s decision which was personally signed by him was dated September 10.

    The letter was acknowledged received at the EFCC Chairman’s office on September 11.

    It was entitled: “Notification of my decision to make myself available in your office to clarify issues(s) or answer questions on issues within my knowledge.”

    Read Also: N117 billion debt: I leave Fayose to God, says Fayemi

    The letter reads: “Several and serial actions of your Commission for some time now, including but not limited to the freezing of my accounts and  attempts to secure temporary forfeiture of my properties are indicative of  the Commission’s desire to have me clarify some issues or answer some  questions but for the immunity I enjoy under Section 308 of the 1999  Constitution as the sitting Governor of Ekiti State.

    “I wish to inform to that my term of office pursuant to which I enjoy immunity against investigation and prosecution under the above provision shall lapse by effluxion of time on Monday, 15th October, 2018.

    As a responsible citizen of our great country, I who believes in the Rule of Law, I wish to make myself available in your office on Tuesday, 16th October, 2018 at 1pm to clarify issues or answer questions within my knowledge.

    “Please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”

    The EFCC froze Fayose’s accounts domiciled at Zenith Bank in 2017 but the accounts were unblocked after the governor sued the anti-graft agency at a Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti.

    The EFCC challenged the verdict of the lower court at the Court of Appeal, Ado-Ekiti which ordered that the accounts be frozen again having been convinced that they were allegedly  used to keep proceeds of crime.

    The EFCC averred that part of the $2.1 billion arms deal from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) were paid into Fayose’s Zenith accounts

    Fayose’s associate, Abiodun Agbele, is being prosecuted for allegedly assisting the governor to launder funds and purchasing property.

  • Flood sacks Ekiti residents, takes over highway

    .RESIDENTS RENDERED HOMELESS

     

    A portion of Ado-Iworoko Road in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital has been taken over by a massive flood making passage difficult for residents.

    The flood was consequent upon heavy rains witnessed in the city in the last one week which also rendered many residents homeless.

    Property worth millions of Naira including houses, cars and household items have been destroyed by the deluge.

    The Ado-Iworoko Road, a federal highway which leads to Ekiti State University (EKSU), communities in Ekiti North senatorial district and northern states, has been rendered impassable by a big pool of flood very close to Ayemi Garage and Pathfinder.

    Motorists, motorcyclists and pedestrians have been shut out of one lane of the road while the other lane is also under threat as the Elemi River has overflown its bank spilling the massive flood on the road.

    Read Also: Flood sacks another seven communities in Edo

    The flooded road caused a huge traffic snarl on the road as many motorists were afraid of entering the flood to proceed on their trips.

    Hundreds of residents of breast Olorunda and Olorunsogo areas have been sacked from their homes by the raging flood.

    A visit to the affected areas by The Nation on Tuesday showed the beleaguered residents wearing mournful looks on the calamity that befell them.

    Ekiti Flood

    One of the victims, Oluwafemi Joseph, called for the assistance of the state government in constructing drainage and channels to tackle flooding.

    Commuters along Ado-Iworoko Road, Agbaje Adedoyin and Adesoye Subulade, also demanded construction of modern bridge to ease free flow of water.

    It will be recalled that a commercial motorcyclist was swept off by flood at the same spot last year and his remains were not found until after two days.

  • Aspirant urges EFCC to probe Fayose over unimplemented projects

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

  • Ekiti extends long term holidays for primary, secondary schools

    Ado Ekiti- Ekiti State Government yesterday extended the current long term holidays for students in public and private primary and secondary schools.

    Education, Science and Technology Commissioner, Jide Egunjobi, said in a statement in Ado Ekiti that all schools would now resume on Sept. 24, as against Sept. 14.

    The commissioner said the extension of the holidays became necessary to allow the various schools conduct interviews for fresh students across the state.

    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 await the new resumption day.

     

  • N117b debt: I leave Fayose to God – Fayemi

    The Transition Committee set up by Ekiti State governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has revealed that the state’s debt profile has ballooned to N117 billion under the administration of outgoing Governor Ayo Fayose.

    The panel said the latest debt figure which was sourced from the Debt Management Office (DMO) was outside salary, pension and gratuity arrears, compensation to majority of owners of houses demolished for Ado-Ekiti flyover and debt owed contractors, among others.

    According to DMO, the total debt left by Fayemi in 2014 was N18 billion which was disputed by Fayose who claimed his predecessor left N85 billion debt.

    The revelation came to light Friday evening when the committee chaired by a former federal lawmaker, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, submitted
    its report to the governor elect at the Conference Hall of AB Hotel, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The ceremony was witnessed by the deputy governor-elect, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, wife of the governor-elect, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the House of Assembly, party leaders and members.

    Adetunmbi revealed that the outgoing Fayose-led administration did not set up a committee of its own to interact with it and did not release any document to facilitate its assignment.

    He said: “The sub-committees of this Transition Committee met with 76 interest groups including labour unions, interest groups, civil society bodies, development partners who assisted with information of what is going on in the outgoing administration.

    “The report being submitted today represents the voice of the people that voted you (Fayemi) in and it contains what they want in the short
    term, medium term and in the long term.

    “As at the last time the DMO released official debt figures, Ekiti is owing N117 billion.”

    Responding, Fayemi said while he leaves the outgoing government to God, he is focused on making a difference in the life of the people of Ekiti State despite the challenges ahead.

    He also urged the incoming House of Assembly to consider and enact a Transition Act that will stipulate the duties of an outgoing administration and an incoming administration to pave the way for seamless transfer of power.

    Such law, according to him, is in operation in African countries like Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and other advanced democracies in other parts of the world.

    Fayemi said: “The chairman (Adetunmbi) talks about liabilities, that is what government is all about, assets and liabilities, government is a continuum.

    “We are not unmindful of the fact that there will be debts but we are focused on our agenda to make a difference in the lives of our people.

    “So for us, we leave whatever that is done by the outgoing government to God and God will handle that in the best way possible.

    “We want to focus on making the difference in the life of our people, so our people remain our priority.

    “We hope some reason will prevail between now and inauguration day for the outgoing government to come up with the information this committee has been asking for since it was inaugurated.”

    Fayemi disclosed that he spoke with some development partners and investors willing to work with his government during a recent trip to China who demanded the report of the committee.

    While commending the Adetunmbi-led panel for a job well done, Fayemi promised to study the report and ensure a thorough implementation in the interest of Ekiti people.

    He expressed delight that the committee recommended agriculture as the number one focus to turn around the fortunes of the state in revenue
    generation and job creation initiatives.

    The governor-elect who promised to hit the ground running immediately he is sworn into office on October 16 also charged aspirants to national and state legislatures in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to familiarize themselves with the contents of the report.

    Fayemi added that with the completion of the assignment of the Transition Committee, the Inauguration Committee now begins its assignment fully.

  • RTEAN vows to support Oshiomhole

    The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria ( RTEAN ), has vowed to support the political strategies of National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    It said Oshiomhole’s leadership style since he emerged National Chairman of the APC has created leeway for the ruling party in winning elections.

    National President of RTEAN, Alhaji Musa Sheu Isiwelle, who spoke when some APC supporters visited him in Bénin City said the victories recorded in Ekiti, Kaduna and Bauchi States were testimonies and pointer to how the APC will win next year’s general elections.

    Read Also; Direct Primary: ‘APC’s decision should go beyond individual interests’

    Alhaji Isiwelle noted that Oshiomhole’s activities have led to an unprecedented number of decampees from other political parties to the ruling party.

    According to him, “The defection of great personalities is a pointer to the fact that Comrade Oshiomhole is not only a National party Chairman of great value, but also a bridge builder and crowd puller.”

    The APC supporters led by Vice Chairman of Esan North East Local Government Area, Prince Saturday Iyoha urged Alhaji Isiwelle to continue in his good works of helping the needy and providing good leadership in the transport sector.

  • Ekiti workers angry with Fayose over purchase of N75m SUV

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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