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Tag: Ekiti

  • Fayemi urges Ekiti to chart path for value renewal

    •APC candidate ends campaign

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Kayode Fayemi, yesterday concluded his campaigns with a call on his kinsmen to use the election as a priceless opportunity to reclaim ‘our land’ and restore our values.’

    He said the election presented a “bright prospect of correcting a historical wrong that has brought nothing but reproach to us as a people”.

    Fayemi in a broadcast to Ekiti people recalled that four years ago, some of his compatriots deployed state agents to subvert the will of the people in a brazen electoral heist never witnessed in the history of Nigeria.

    He regretted that since then, the ship of Ekiti State had lost track, resulting in poor conditions of living among the mass of the people who were treated with disdain.

    Fayemi assured that the end is near for suffering and debasement of Ekiti values and integrity.

    The former minister urged people to use the election to deepen democracy by ensuring free and fair exercise.

    Fayemi said that in line with the law, security agencies had been deployed to maintain peace for credible poll and protect all Ekiti people, especially civil servants and teachers, who had been coerced to submit their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) by the current PDP administration.

    “This is the oppressive psychological war they have unleashed on you to make you feel they are capable of knowing which party you have voted for after the election. This is indeed a patent lie.

    “Let me at this juncture reiterate my avowed commitment – No Ekiti civil servant or teacher will be sacked by my administration if voted into office.

    “If anything, the urgency of the task of restoring our education sector may demand that we equip our workforce with greater incentives and more conducive environments to function optimally,” Fayemi assured.

    He added that his administration shall make salary payment a priority and effect immediate payment of the backlog of the salaries of civil servants and teachers.

    “Your mandate would allow us to do these and more, so you are all free to vote for the return of dignified treatment of our workforce,” he said.

    Fayemi urged INEC to live up to its sacred duty of ensuring that the character of secrecy constitutionally associated with secret ballot system is preserved even after the election.

    Urging Ekiti people to make the right choice, Fayemi said:

    “The choice is now before us to resume the march to break the yoke of ignorance that keeps our people down, liberate them from ill-health and other limitations that restrain them from achieving their full potential; or to choose the continuity of clueless governance, and the tightening of the stranglehold of poverty and ignorance.

    “I have no doubt that you shall keep faith with us as we have with you through the years and vote for the APC.”

     

     

  • Ekiti: History, tragedy and farce

    With Governor Ayo Fayose’s latest theatrics in Ekiti, you cannot but recall how apt is the Karl Marx famous quip: history repeats itself, first as tragedy, then as farce.

    The slight exception here is that Fayose’s current theatrics, of grave allegations of some presidential order to kill both himself and his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka — as hare-brained as they come — is a double turbo-charge: tragedy and farce all rolled into one; and dramatically and forcefully served, with more than enough cant and crocodile tears to spare.

    Instructive: the Ekiti Mobile Police unit is central to the whole drama — which brings back the ghosts of 2014, a friendly apparition now turned infernally fiendish, from which Fayose now flees in blind panic. Poor guy!

    Roll back to 2014. It was Fayose’s triumphant re-entry, when he strutted around in DSS bullet-proof vests, the toast of the Goodluck Jonathan-era security personnel, from the Army, DSS to the Police, who waited on him: just snap your fingers, our emperor, and we would jump at your bidding!

    Aside from the security regulars, illicit flexing of muscles wasn’t left behind, as some suspected Niger Delta militants, camouflaged as regular security personnel, were alleged to be on the prowl, ready to strike. President Jonathan was determined to “capture” the Southwest, using Ekiti and Osun as opening gambits.

    It was a period of high madness. The Jonathan security apparatus banned even partisan governors and other party heavyweights from accessing Ekiti, to attend Kayode Fayemi’s campaign rally, turning them back at Ikere-Ekiti.

    At the climax of this brazen power show, the commander of the Ekiti local MOPOL declared, to a harried Fayemi, though a sitting governor, and Ekiti’s chief security officer: he knew of no governor. He only took orders from the IGP!

    Fayose would later go on to win 16-0! That was a time, if there was any, when Wole Soyinka’s famous tongue-in-cheek became dire reality: the end justifies the meanness.

    Four years later, change — which Heraclitus the Greek says is the only permanent thing in life — has shown itself. Those security apparatuses have changed hands. The friendly and enabling ghosts of 2014 have suddenly turned, for Fayose, fiendish and disabling ones.

    To be sure, the change of sides could be real, given Nigeria’s sociology of power. But for a dramatist and soulless demagogue like Fayose, it could well be a case of the guilty fleeing, when no one pursues them.

    Still, why would any president, whose party is going into an election, order the summary execution of Fayose (sitting governor) and his deputy (governorship candidate) — to what end?

    But then, imagine the troubled soul that rot was coming from — that, in the middle of high delirium, “ordered” the president of the Federal Republic, come to campaign for his party’s candidate, to get out of Ekiti, where Fayose, in his own words, was “commander-in-chief”!

    It was a classic case of high underdog rascality, in an insane gallery play. Well, it turned out, from Fayose’s tearful drama, that the so-called Ekiti commander-in-chief could command nothing but pitiful tears, which genuineness you can’t even vouch for.

    Besides, did the other party crowd the streets with counter-partisans when Fayose’s PDP was holding its own mega-rally? Did anyone try to induce transporters to ground the state, for an alleged exchange of N10, 000 each, which alleged non-consummation reportedly resulted in the fracas, which the Police had to break up with teargas, in Government House precinct?

    Whatever happens tomorrow, Ekiti should have learnt its lesson not to ever again vote a cur as governor. A gubernatorial cur is a curse to all. That summarises Ekiti’s situation today.

     

  • Why Ekiti will vote for me, by Fayemi

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Dr. Kayode Fayemi has traversed the 120 towns and villages in Ekiti State to sell his manifestos to voters. During the campaigns, he also pointed to the projects he executed during his first term in the far-flung communities, which have continued to rekindle nostalgia about his administration. In his view, the people will endorse him at the poll so that the second leg of his rescue mission can commence in October. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU revisits the achievements of the former governor in the Fountain of Knowledge.

    During his first term, he was on a rescue mission. To him, governance was not a tea party. On assumption of office in 2010, reality dawned on him that it will take a while to reposition Ekiti State for excellence. Dr Kayode Fayemi hit the ground running, following his swearing him. He was prepared for the task. He excelled on the job. Although he could not secure a second term in 2014, his works still speak for him.

    Four years after, the standard he set has not been met. “I did not owe salaries to workers and pensioners. There is no community today in Ekiti which did not feel the impact of our administration. Where we did not build road, we built schools. Where we did not built schools, we built hospitals. Where we did not build hospitals, we built the palaces of traditional rulers. We took care of the old people by given them stipends monthly,” he recalled at a rally in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    It is an understatement. Fayemi did not claim to have a monopoly of knowledge. He is an advocate of participatory governance. Thus, he carried out regular interactive sessions with indigenes at village squares. That became a veritable opportunity for the former governor to listen directly to people as they outlined their challenges. The projects later implemented were products of need analysis. “The 2012, 2013 and 2014 budgets were products of these interactions,” he said.

    To the activist-scholar, education was a priority. Many schools were renovated and teachers’ salaries were increased thrice. The administration implemented the N19, 300 minimum wage for workers. Also, 27.5 per cent teachers’ pecuniary allowance was approved. Civil servants who were not promoted in the previous three years were promoted. Pensions and gratuities were paid to pensioners promptly.

    Free education was restored. WAEC registration fees were paid for candidates. Five braide computers were donated to physically challenged students. One hundered dilapidated schools were renovated. Government established 42 new primary schools, trained 4,160 teachers under the Universal Basic Education Programme, purchased quality books for school libraries, procured instructional materials for schools, promoted 1,953 primary school teachers, established remedial colleges in 16 councils and awarded bursaries to indigent students. Senior principals were promoted to Grade Level 16 in the Civil Service.

    Ekiti is a poor agrarian state. To assist the elders, a social welfare security scheme was instituted. Under the scheme, N5,000 was paid to senior citizens above 65 years. The initiative was life-prolonging. From 2011 to 2014, N2.5 billion was paid to give the aged a new lease of life.

    Transparency was the watchword. Through scrutiny of financial books and blockage of loopholes, N7 billion was saved by the government between October 16, 2010 and April 30, 2014. There was alos a consistent devotion to the master plan of the administration, monitored by the Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery. This has engendered the implementation of the administration’s eight-point agenda. During the period, there was prompt institutional response to emergencies. N44.9 billion was expended on disaster management, including the provision of relief materials, palliatives, emergency evacuations and cash donations to victims.

    Royal fathers had god tales to tell about Fayemi, who distributed 123 cars to the monarchs to enhance their effectiveness and performance as key participants in governance. Also, N600 m wer distributed to communities for self-help community projects.

    In Ekiti, Fayemi contributed to the strengthening of the justice administration through the establishment of palace courts and structures for alternative dispute resolution. The government established the Job Creation and Employment Agency, which trained and engaged 5,000 volunteers in the first batch and additional 5,000 in the second batch. Each participant received N10 monthly stipends. Low-skilled old and young citizens were employed as street sweepers and facility managers. Through this, 1,5000 people were employed. Also, 200 school certificate holders were employed as office assistants in the ministries and departments under the Ekiti Project Volunteer Scheme; 166 youths were employed as fire fighters and paramedics to aid accident victims. Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency (EKSTMA) was created. It employed 300 youths. The Peace Corps Agency, with 800 trained cadet officers, was also set up.

    Fayemi fought the infrastructure battle with vigour. Many roads were constructed and rehabilitated. Federal roads were not neglected. N8 billion was spent on 1,038 kilometers of federal and state roads. There was the rehabilitation of 829 kilometers of farm access roads. The projects were evenly distributed across the local governments. Also, 105 kilometres of roads across the councils were constructed under the ‘Five kilometer Road Per Local Government. Urban renewal projects were also executed in major towns, including Ado, Ijero, Ikole and Ikere. The evidence are the street lights and quality roads with walkways in the state capital. During the period, five mini-water treatment plant projects were initiated; 167 ‘Eyitayo Fetching Points across various communities in 16 local governments were set up.

    Under the electrification programme, 125 transformers to boost power supply were erected. “Many communities which hit5herto had no access to electricity in 200 years of their existence, including Oke-Ako in Ikole Council, were connected and linked with the national grid. Fayemi was labour-friendly. His government procured and distributed 100 Suzuki cars and 40 Nissan buses to the transport unions. Six luxury buses, 26-seater coaster buses and 18seater buses were donated as palliatives in the wake of fuel subsidy removal.

    To boost agriculture, Fayemi attempted to resuscitate the old farm settlements of the Awolowo era. The Youth in Commercial Agricultural Development was established. Under the scheme, 669 youths were involved in cassava planting, rice production, nursery, aquaculture, afforestation, oil palm produce. Loans and other incentives were given to farmers to cultivate rice and maize. Fish farms were established in Efon-Alaaye, Igede and Ijesa-Isu. Twelve tractors valued at N72 million were purchased to support the FADAMA 111 project. Also, 143, 781 bags of fertilizers were distributed to farmers. The Ikun Diary Farm was revived; 209,560 oil palm seedlings were distributed to farmers in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The administration established a N600 million Small Scale Holding Cooperative Farmers Development Programme.

    In the health sector, the governor recorded some feats. The free medical mission had nine editions. Many communities benefitted from the scheme. Government expended N266 million on the extension, renovation and upgrading of 18 secondary health facilities and 35 upcoming primary health facilities in the state. The administration disbursed over N190 million to procure local and overseas referral services for citizens who needed urgent medical assistance. The administration built two new General Hospitals and organised free eye screening and surgery for 2,000 patients. Fifty cataract surgeries were done.

    In the area of industrialization, Fayemi provided the right atmosphere for investment to thrive. The state was peaceful during his tenure. Many investments were attracted to the state.

    The administration scored some feats in tourism. Ekiti State Council of Arts and Culture and Film Village were established. Its best legacy was the Ikogosi Warms Springs Resort. It is distressing to the former governor that the gains were reversed through lack of maintenance culture after he left office. Indeedd, Fayemi embarked on the renewal of the warm spring. The first phase of the development plan was completed with standard suits and VIP accommodation facilities, multi-purpose conference hall, 60-seat meeting and functions rooms, shopping mall, fitness and business centre, standard rooms for students during excusions, reception, multi-purpose building, warm water adult swimming pool, children’s pool, restaurants, amphi-theatre, tourism village, laundry, warehouses, security gadgets, hotels and lodges.

     

  • Ekiti 2018: Distribution of election materials (Photos)

    Ahead of the Ekiti 2018 Governorship election, INEC begins distribution of materials at CBN headquaters in Ado Ekiti on Thursday.

  • Ekiti 2018: Police arrest PDP members over illegal possession of ballot papers

    Four days to the governorship election in Ekiti State, Ekiti State Police Command has nabbed two members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who were found in possession of already thumprinted papers in favour of PDP in the Saturday governorship election.

    A statement by Director of Media and Publicity, Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Mr. Wole Olujobi, identified the two suspects as Ashiru Gbenga and Olaide Olayeye, who were promptly arrested, interrogated and detained.

    They are now helping the police in their investigation.

    Read Also: Ekiti 2018: NYSC DG urges corps members to be neutral

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Caleb Ikechukwu, when contacted by our reporter promised to get back later.

    As about 12 noon on Wednesday, intelligence report indicated that one Vien Foton vehicle marked KTU 477 DG Lagos was parked at Fayose Market along Ajilosun Street, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    Upon information to the police headquarters on the suspicious parking, a team of detectives was deployed to the scene to conduct a search on the vehicle where two leaflets of already thumprinted ballot papers were found in favour of PDP.

  • Ekiti 2018: We stopped rally to prevent breakdown of law and order- DIG

    Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations), Mr. Habila Joshak, has explained that the proposed rally of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ado-Ekiti was stopped to prevent possible breakdown of law and order.
    The police boss added that no party will be allowed to hold any political rally not approved by the police until the election is held.
    Joshak, who is the overall commander of security operations for the Ekiti State governorship election, said the PDP did not obtain police permit for the botched rally.
    The police chief who  addressed reporters earlier in the day before the Government Hose drama occurred, described the action as a “pre-emptive measure” that was adopted because of the tense situation in the state.
    Joshak said: “Because of the tense situation, we had to do what we did. We heard that His Excellency (Fayose) was doing something in the Government House, the cyclists narrowed the road but we won’t go and block his place.
    “We don’t want people to gather and start another rally because dispersing them with smoke is not the best. The pre-emptive measure was okay.
    “It is better to be pre-emptive by ensuring that the situation did not degenerate.”
    Joshak added: “We are not here to usurp the authority of Governor Fayose. We are not here to rubbish him because he represents the people
    “But we are not going to allow any authorized rally that can trigger violence in the state. You can see that the state is tensed up.
    “As law enforcement agents, we must be proactive and take actions that can prevent crisis rather than trying to quell it after it might have broken out.”
    Joshak said the security details of Very Important Personalities (VIPs) in Ekiti will be withdrawn on Saturday to give all parties participating in the election a level playing field.
    The police boss added that no party will be allowed to hold any political rally not approved by the police until the election is held.
    The DIG explained that he will work with one Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Mr. H.H. Karma and three other Commissioners of Police; Ali Janga, J.B. Kokumo and G.B. Umar, who will man each of the senatorial districts in the state.
    Joshak said they have contacted security details of Governor Fayose and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi and other top government officials to report at 6am at the police headquarters in Ado Ekiti on Saturday.
    He said: “We won’t allow anybody to go to the polling booth with armed men, this is a breach of the Electoral Act.
    “We have contacted them and they have to be here before election commences. This election must not be compromised. They will be documented and whoever defies this will be sanctioned, because they have been contacted”, he warned.
    Joshak urged his men not to work for any political party, saying any police officer found exhibiting such will have himself to blame.
    “Those who want to create posts where votes are going to be bought will be disappointed. We are not going allow it.
    “If you cast your votes, you can keep a distance and protect your votes, but if you snatch the ballot, we will cut off your hands, if you run with it, we will stop your legs.
    “If you come out with masquerade on the day of election, we will get it arrested and unmask the man behind it.
    “My men will be civil, so people are free to come out to vote. Nobody will be harassed, that is not part of our duties.
    “Our duty is to secure not only the electoral materials but all the citizens. We are going to be professional and watchful, because we don’t want to be bedeviled with cases of hooliganism, ballot snatching and hate speeches before, during and after this election”, he said.

  • EKITI 2018: Fayose tear-gassed, says I was slapped by policeman

    An attempt by Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose to hold a rally against police advice sparked heavy shooting in Fajuyi area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
    It was learnt that Fayose was teargassed by riot policemen as he was attending to complaints from People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members that they had been denied access to the Fajuyi Pavilion, venue of the proposed rally.
    An eyewitness revealed that one of the canisters fired from outside the Government House landed very close to Fayose. The governor inhaled the teargas and collapsed.
    The source said Fayose was revived by his security aides and party members and was taken to the Government House Clinic.
    The governor later emerged from the clinic with neck brace to address the crowd that gathered at the Government House grounds.
    Fayose alleged that he was slapped and kicked by a police officer.  He also alleged that an instruction has been given to kill him.
    Deputy Governor and the PDP candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, also alleged that he was beaten by policemen during the melee.
    He called on the international community, European Union (EU) to save democracy in Nigeria which he said is under siege.
    Fayose said: “My people, the Lord will fight this battle; the MOPOL of Nigeria Police, IGP and AIG ordered that the governor should be killed.
    “I was slapped by a policeman, I was kicked and I was shot at. Be of great courage, be not dismayed, this battle will be won.
    “This is an army of occupation, this is not the democracy we fought for. My people, don’t be afraid, I pray they will not cause the 1983 problem in Ekiti State.
    “Ekiti is under siege, how can I be governor of Ekiti State and they treated me like this? My people, stand and keep standing. I will go back to the hospital and remain there, I want you to stand by Eleka (Olusola).
    “I plead with the international community, Nigeria is in trouble, please arise and stand for justice. They have arrested so many teachers, okada riders and PDP members.
    “Come and save PDP, we are in majority, we are a party to beat, come and safe us. They said they are under instruction to kill me and PDP candidate.”
    Fayose, later got emotional and wept while being interviewed by journalists.
    He said: “I am in severe pain, I am in severe pain, should anything evil happen to me, the Inspector General of Police should be held responsible.”
    Olusola said: “They shot sporadically to the air and one of them beat me. I told him that I am the deputy governor, he said deputy governor my foot.
    “We have not moved out to the streets at all, we were walking to our campaign office. The COMPOL (Commissioner of Police) MOPOL (Mobile Police), said to my hearing that it was an instruction from the Presidency.
    “They manhandled my governor and slapped him with the butt of the gun in the back. It was an attempt to assassinate the governor but they will never succeed.
    “Who then is safe in Nigeria? We should tell Buhari that enough is enough; the Presidency should be warned that enough is enough.
    “God is with us, the army that is with us is greater than the army that is with them. God is with us.”
    Ekiti PDP Chairman, Chief Gboyega Oguntuase, accused the Inspector General of having plan to rig the election for the APC.
    Oguntuase said: “When the IGP was CP in Kano State, democracy was bastardized, votes in Kano were rigged.
    “This election shall hold and won by people who are behind PDP. Presently, the police are laying siege to the Government House.”
    Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, said PDP members still have the right to hold rallies because the time frame allowed by the Electoral Law had not lapsed.
    She said: “They must be told that enough is enough; our people have been arrested, they are being picked up. If you are popular, you don’t need to be doing all these.
    “We will go to the poll on Saturday and elect a member of the PDP as the next governor.”
    Men of the Nigerian Army and the Police have taken over the Fajuyi Pavilion, which serves as Olusola’s campaign office and sealed off the arena that was scheduled to hold the rally.
    They packed their vehicles inside the arena and kept guard over the facility. An Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was stationed there.
    The security forces who stopped journalists from taking pictures of the place said they were under instruction not to allow any rally because of the tense situation in the state.
    PDP members who arrived the place in their white apparel as instructed by the governor met the stern-looking security men who asked them to go back.
    The Government House gate was sealed off while the Secretariat Road was blocked.
    The policemen fired several canisters of teargas to disperse the PDP members who had arrived Ado-Ekiti from all parts of the state.
    The party faithful ran helter-skelter as teargas fumes billowed into the sky. The frightened party men and women dispersed in different directions.
    While some of them ran inside the High Court complex, others headed for the old Governor’s Office area and entered the Government House from the rear.
    A close aide to Fayose called Abiola was arrested at Fajuyi area and he is now being detained at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Section at the police headquarters in Ado Ekiti.
    Reporters sighted Abiola as he was being dragged by the police to the CID section.

  • Ekiti must grow beyond stomach infrastructure, says Buhari

    •Senators, others dump PDP for APC

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged the people of Ekiti State to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s governorship election.

    He said the people of the Fountain of Knowledge should not allow themselves to be insulted by the stomach infrastructure policy being promoted by Governor Ayo Fayose.

    The nation’s number one citizen said Ekiti should grow beyond stomach infrastructure vote APC to enjoy god governance, development, better standard of living and infrastructure development.

    He expressed regrets that many politicians have been capitalising on the herdsmen crisis in some parts of the country accusing him of not doing anything because he is Fulani.

    Describing the allegation as a “cheap blackmail,” Buhari said protection of life and property of Nigerians is paramount to him noting that measures are being taken to put an end to the herdsmen’s onslaught.

    Buhari spoke on Tuesday at the grand finale governorship rally held at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, where APC national leaders and governors canvassed for votes for the flag bearer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    The President described Fayemi as competent, capable and experienced enough to be elected governor again noting that the APC flag bearer served excellently well as Minister of Mines and Steel Development.

    He said Ekiti get its fair share of resources and projects from the Federal Government despite the political difference between the government at the centre and state government.

    Joining Buhari at the rally are Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; Governors Abdulazeez Yari (Zamfara), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Umaru Al Makura (Nasarawa) and Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki represented by his deputy, Philip Shaibu.

    Ministers who attended the rally include Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Babatunde Fashola (Power, Works and Housing), Chris Ngige (Labour and Employment), Ogbonnaya Onu (Science and Technology), Adebayo Shittu (Communications) and Abdulrahman Danbazzau (Interior).

    Thousands of residents defied Fayose’s order to stay at home and thronged the stadium to welcome the President who first paid courtesy visit to the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe and other traditional ruler at the palace.

    Commercial activities were going on at the city’s main markets while many commercial drivers and motorcycle riders plied their trade on the major roads.

    Buhari, whose helicopter touched down at about 12.35 pm at Christ’s School sports field headed to the Ewi’s Palace where the monarchs were waiting to receive him.

    At the palace, Oba Adejugbe, advocated for creation of cottage industries in Ekiti to generate jobs for the unemployed. He urged Fayemi to do more for the people if he wins the poll and is sworn in again.

    At the stadium, Buhari said Ekiti people are dear to him which explained why many indigenes of the state got very important appointments in his administration including the most senior military officer in the land, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin.

    The President said he and his party have not only come to campaign for the votes of Ekiti people but to key in to the change agenda and vote APC.

    He disclosed that the APC-led Federal Government has carried out laudable projects including construction and rehabilitation of 13 federal roads including Ikole-Omuo Road, Efon Alaaye-Iwaraja Road, Ido-Ifaki Road, Ado-Ifaki Road, Ila-Ilale-Ekan-Otun Road and internal roads at Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).

    Buhari said his administration also awarded contract for a Federal Secretariat which is under construction in Ekiti to ensure that federal civil servants have office accommodation.

    He noted that a National Housing Project to provide accommodation for residents was extended to Ekiti State by his administration which has also generated jobs for local artisans.

    The President further explained that thousands of Ekiti residents benefited from the social investment programmes of his administration including Npower for youths, School Feeding for primary school pupils, Conditional Cash Transfer and several tranches of bailout funds.

    Urging Ekiti electorate to vote Fayemi, Buhari said: “Don’t allow yourself to be blackmailed by stomach infrastructure, your future is in your hand, you must grow beyond stomach infrastructure.

    “Ekiti should do the right thing by voting APC and commence the journey to reclaim your land and restore your values.

    “I recommend Fayemi to you, he served as Minister of Mines and Steel

    Development, he is experienced. Don’t waste your vote, vote Dr. Kayode Fayemi.”

    APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, urged Ekiti voters to elect Fayemi and reject PDP which he accused of inflicting hardship of non-payment of salaries on civil servants, teachers and local government workers.

    Oshiomhole accused Fayose of pocketing the over N20 billion bailout funds given to him by the Buhari administration to pay arrears of workers’ salaries and dancing “kurukere” when workers are suffering.

    He disclosed that he held a meeting with labour unions in Ekiti on Monday where he gave a commitment that Fayemi would pay all the outstanding arrears owed by Fayose to give relief to workers.

    Oshiomhole said: “I have served as a guarantor that Fayemi will pay the arrears of workers’ salaries when elected and he will ensure that all Ekiti people get what is due to them.

    “Four years ago, I was a sitting governor of Edo State and I wanted to come and campaign for Fayemi in the 2014 election but the PDP made sure that I did not have the opportunity to come and campaign for the then incumbent Fayemi.

    “Mr. President, we thank you and we know that you will not do the same, we are not here for revenge. Fayose has been trying to divert attention, he abused INEC, Police and he is behaving like a typical armed robber.

    “Fayose has resorted to very primitive tactics, he gave unlawful order that all shops be closed and manipulated drivers not to bring out their vehicles to convey people here.

    “This boy (Fayose) is a poor student of student thuggery; nothing, absolutely nothing can stop people that are determined. The President is proud that you defied his tactics and came here today.

    “You will vote freely and fairly and nothing will happen. Whoever Fayose demotes, Fayemi will promote him and whoever Fayose dismisses, Fayemi will reinstate.

    “All of you go to your polling units with your PVCs and by Saturday, Fayose will cry.”

    APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu urged Ekiti electorate to reject the PDP which he described as a “party of looters.”

    Tinubu described APC as a pain killer that will put an end to the pains being experienced by Ekiti people and Nigerians at large.

    He said Buhari built three refineries for Nigeria but the PDP government dismantled and sold them off leaving Nigerians to suffer.

    Tinubu said: “They (PDP) stole all the money, what do you have left in the treasury? PDP is a party of destruction, it is Poverty Development Party.

    “When they stole your money, they stole your life, they stole your future. APC is here to rebuild what has been destroyed. We thank God for the party under the leadership of our Baba, President Buhari.

    “APC is the pain killer, my mama used to give me APC when I was young.

    When you vote APC, you are voting for future, you are voting for the sake of your children.

    “It is not for the sake of Kayode (Fayemi), he had an appointment in Abuja but he has come back to serve you. If you want Ekiti to look like Lagos, to witness development and have your children in schools, vote APC.

    “Don’t let anybody intimidate you, you will be protected, nobody can intimidate you. If you want to eat the seed inside palm kernel, it will not be easy/

    “You can’t sleep at home and be expecting power, nobody serves it in a restaurant. No matter the level of their lies, propaganda and intimidation, fear has gripped them.

    “Vote and stand by your vote, it will not be like that of 2014. It is your turn to get your government for your good and progress, go there on Saturday and vote APC.”

    Fayemi promised return of good governance to Ekiti if the people of the state elect him. He commended the people for trooping out in large numbers for the rally to welcome the President.

    He said the party is united after the primary noting that all governorship aspirants who contested for the party’s ticket with him are resolute to ensure victory for the party.

    Fayemi said: “During my time, there is no community that did not benefit from our government. If we did not construct your road, we built your school, if we did not build your school, we constructed palace for your Kabiyesi, if we did not build palace for your Kabiyesi, we fixed your drains.

    “We did all that, we did not owe workers a single Naira; we paid the elderly, we paid free WAEC, NECO, JAMB, NABTEB fees. We increased workers salaries (minimum wage) from N8,500 to N13,000 and then to N19,000.

    “We were the first to pay Rural Teachers Allowance in Nigeria, Core Teachers Allowance. I am running on a track record of service in all constituencies, there is no single community that did not benefit from our (first) tenure.

    “Why am I back? President did not sack me (as minister). My people need me for reclaiming your land and restoring our values. Your PVCs must be ready because the power of the people is greater than the people in power.”

    Chairman of APC National Campaign Council for Ekiti State governorship election, Kebbi State Governor Bagudu said the magnitude of crowd that thronged the stadium was a pointer to an APC victory on Saturday.

    Bagudu said Ekiti has the best potential to develop under Fayemi noting that Ekiti people appreciated what he did during his first tenure.

    “Go to your polling units on Saturday and vote APC; guard your votes, don’t be intimidated. President Buhari has assured that security will be provided and your votes will count,” Bagudu said.

    Yari, who is also the Chairman of Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF) said Fayose held its rally on the streets last week because he was afraid of an empty stadium.

     

  • Ekiti governorship poll: PSC to sanction erring police officers

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) said it would discipline any police officer found wanting in the discharge of his or her duties during the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti.

    The commission’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Ani said that officers on electoral duties in Ekiti were expected to turn out for duty neat and in their prescribed uniform and identification and name tag.

    He said that officers on duty were also not allowed to have on them un-authorised item of accoutrement, kit like cudgel, horsewhip etc.

    “At no time will police personnel deployed to polling units be allowed to carry firearms,“he said.

    The spokesman said involvement of the personnel at political gatherings shall be limited to the maintenance of peace and order and enforcement of extant laws.

    He said that officers shall at all time exercise maximum restraint while covering political gatherings or deployed at voting or collation centres.

    Read Also: PLSG embarks on completion of road projects

    He said the officers must be cautious, polite and firm at all times.

    “The commission monitors will be looking out for officers who will compromise these laid down rules and guidelines and will expect the electorate in Ekiti to call its dedicated lines to report any case of misconduct.

    “The commission wishes to state that it will continue to discharge its Constitutional responsibilities and ensure that the police operate within the confines of the law,“he said.

    The commission will be deploying a team of officials led by its Permanent Secretary, Musa Istifanus, to monitor the conduct of policemen on duty during the election.

    Three dedicated telephone lines have been provided for residents for compliants on conduct of policemen during the election.

    They are: 08059702950 for Ekiti North Zone, 08033010905, for Ekiti South Zone and 08088155981 for Ekiti Central zone.

    NAN

  • Photos: Ekiti APC governorship rally

    President Muhammadu Buhari and other APC chieftains are present in Ekiti for the APC Governorship rally.

    The rally is holding at Olukayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

    The  rally is to canvass for votes for the party’s candidate Dr. Kayode Fayemi.