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  • Jubilation in Ekiti as new Anglican Bishop is enthroned

    Jubilation in Ekiti as new Anglican Bishop is enthroned

    Ijero-Ekiti, one of the major towns in Ekiti State, came alive on June 27, 2017 as guests from far and wide witnessed the enthronement of the new Bishop of Diocese of Ekiti West, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Right Reverend Rufus Victor Ajileye Adepoju at the Cathedral Church of Christ in the town. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    History was made on Tuesday, 27th June, 2017 when the Diocese of Ekiti West of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) witnessed a change of baton of leadership for the first time in many years.

    A new Diocesan Bishop, the Right Reverend Rufus Victor Ajileye Adepoju, was enthroned to the exalted seat after about 32 years of priesthood and 20 years as a Venerable in the Anglican Communion.

    He replaced the first Diocesan Bishop, the Right Reverend Samuel Oludare Oke, who retired from office as the occupant of the seat after attaining the retirement age of 70 years. Before becoming bishop, Adepoju, 54, was the most senior venerable in Ekiti Diocese.

    The new bishop, until his election, was the Archdeacon in charge of Emure Archdeaconry under Ekiti Diocese. He had also served as Archdeacon in Aisegba and Ikole Archdeaconries all in Ekiti Diocese.

    Adepoju, an indigene of Iropora-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was elected Bishop on February 20 in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, which ironically, is the hometown of his predecessor (Oke) at the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church

    of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) presided over by the Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Reverend Nicholas D. Okoh.

    He was consecrated alongside three other bishops-elect at the Cathedral Church of Transfiguration of Our Lord (CATOL) in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on May 7 setting the stage for enthronement at the diocese he would superintend over.

    The Anglican Communion has three dioceses in Ekiti State; Ekiti Diocese has its seat in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti Oke Diocese has its seat in Usi-Ekiti while Ekiti West Diocese has its seat in Ijero-Ekiti.

    All roads led to Ijero-Ekiti, the seat of the Diocese of Ekiti West where the cream of the society including the traditional institution, senior government officials and top clergymen gathered to welcome Adepoju into office as the bishop.

    The town was agog as gaily dressed guests trooped in from all parts of the country to be part of the occasion. The vicinity of the church was decorated with giant banners bearing the portraits of the new bishop and his wife, Mrs. Christiana Tolulope Adepoju, now fondly referred to as “Mama Ekiti West.”

    Automobiles of various shapes and colours found space in the precincts of the cathedral while only those of the visiting bishops and other Very Important Personalities (VIPs) were allowed into the inner compound.

    Members of the Boys Brigade stood guard at the church gate and never allowed a dull moment with their trumpeting and drumming. Itinerant drummers, comedians and mascots added colour by singing praises of guests.

    For a service that was supposed to start at 11.00 am, the inner belly of the church was already full to capacity about one hour earlier. Those who came late did not have programme booklet.

    The hometown of the new bishop, Iropora, was virtually empty as indigenes led by their monarch, the Oniropora, Oba Joel Ajayi Olonibua, flocked to Ijero to witness the elevation of an illustrious son, himself a prince from the royal family, who happens to be the first bishop from any denomination to emerge from the community.

    There was a deafening ovation when the new bishop who had been welcoming guests in his purple robe later emerged in his cope vestment with full compliments of the cone-shaped mitre cap ready for the administration of the oath of office and the receipt of the sceptre of office.

    Many people in the congregation strained their necks and stood on the pews to catch a glimpse of the bishop in his new regalia which conferred the rights and privileges of the new office.

    Installing the bishop on behalf of Primate Okoh was the man wearing three caps of the Archbishop of Ondo Province, Bishop of Diocese of Ondo and the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Reverend George Latunji Lasebikan.

    He was assisted in performing the task by the Chancellor of Ekiti West Diocese and a Judge of the High Court of Ekiti State, Justice Monisola Oluwatoyin Abodunde.

    Adepoju received the Diocesan Pastoral Staff at the entrance of the sacrarium. His sermon after enthronement was entitled: “God of our Fathers”, taken from Psalm 48:14.

    Dignitaries at the enthronement service included former Governor Adeniyi Adebayo represented by Hon. Idowu Adeniyi, former Governor Kayode Fayemi represented by former Head of Service, Mr. Bunmi Famosaya; former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Afolabi Ojuawo and the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Simon Daramola.

    Traditional rulers who graced the occasion are the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe; the Owa Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole; the Elekole of Ikole-Ekiti and Paramount Ruler of Egbeoba land, Oba Adewumi Ajibade Fasiku; the Elemure of  Emure-Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebowale Adebayo; the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba John

    Ademola Ajakaye; the Olowa of Odo Owa-Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Oyedeji; the Alayetoro of Ayetoro-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Olu Ajayi and the Owa of Odo Ayedun-Ekiti, Oba Solomon Ajibade Ajigbotoluwa.

    Other monarchs are the Obadu of Ilemeso-Ekiti, Oba David Adegboyega Oyewumi; the Oluroye of Iroko-Ekiti, Oba Sunday Ekundayo; the Alararomi of Araromi-Ekiti, Oba Adeoye, the Onilukuno of Ilukuno-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Jegede; the Olosin of Osin-Ekiti, Oba Philip Oyediran and the Onise of Odo Oro-Ekiti, Oba Gbadebo Ogunsakin.

    Senior Anglican clergymen present at the enthronment included Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most. Rev. Dr. Ephraim Ademowo; Bishop of Ilaje, the Rt. Rev. Olugbemi; Bishop of Irele/Ese Odo, the Rt. Rev. Akinbuluma; Bishop of Idoani, the Rt. Rev. Dahunsi; Bishop of Mbamali, the Rt. Rev. Okeke, Bishop of Osun North, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Humphrey Olumakaiye, Bishop of Akure, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Simon Borokini; Bishop of Owo, the Rt. Rev. Dr. J.A. Oladunjoye and Bishop of Oyo Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Williams Aladekugbe.

    Others are Bishop of Etsako, the Rt. Rev. J.O.B. Bada; Bishop of Osun North, Rt. Rev. A.T. Olaoye; Bishop of Omu Aran, the Rt. Rev. P. Adeyemo; Bishop of Ifo, the Rt. Rev. N.O. Ogundipe; Bishop of Ilesa South West, the Rt. Rev. S.O. Egbebunmi; Bishop of Ijebu South West, the Rt. Rev. Dr. B.F.R. Ogunbanwo; Bishop of Ijebu, the Rt. Rev. E. Awosoga; Bishop of Ekiti, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Omotunde; Bishop of Offa, the Rt. Rev. Tunde Popoola; Bishop of Akoko, the Rt. Rev. Gabriel Akinbiyi; the Bishop of Ogbomoso, the Rt. Rev. J.B. Olayinka,

    Bishop of Ife, the Rt. Rev. Bunmi Akinlade; Bishop of Yewa, the Rt. Rev. Michael Oluwaronbi; Bishop of North East, the Rt. Rev. J.A.F. Olusola;  Bishop on the Coast, the Rt. Rev. Ebun Ogunele; Bishop of Ekiti Oke, the Rt. Rev. Isaac Olubowale and Vice Chancellor of Ajayi

    Crowther University, Oyo, the Rt. Rev. Prof. Dapo Asaju.

    Some retired bishops present are the Rt. Rev. Michael Ipinmoye (Akure), the Rt. Rev. Oyelade (Kwara), the Rt. Rev. J.O.K.Olowokure, the Rt. Rev. G. Oloniyo (Ife) and the Methodist Bishop of Ifaki Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Sunday Aluko.

    Reminiscing on his tortuous journey to the bishop’s throne, Adepoju revealed that he lost his father, the late Prince Matthew Ojo Adepoju, nine days after he was admitted into Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan where the journey into priesthood began.

    He explained that his late father who was happy about the admission had promised to sponsor his theological education only to be taken away by the icy hands of death as the lot fell on his mother, Madam Elizabeth Idowu Adepoju to shoulder the responsibilities of caring for

    him and his siblings.

    Adepoju said: “I lost my father in the year 1985 and three times before I was admitted into Immanuel College of Theology, he promised to be there for me but nine days after I was admitted, he died.

    “It was only this woman (mother) that the lot to take care of me fell upon, my mother who is seated right there, Mama Elizabeth Idowu Adepoju.”

    He paid glowing tributes to the former Anglican Primate, the late Most Reverend Joseph Abiodun Adetiloye, whose hometown (Odo Owa-Ekiti) is under the diocese whom he described as a “nemesis to the Ogbonis” in his lifetime. He also paid tributes to his immediate predecessor, Bishop Oke.

    Speaking on his action plan, Adepoju promised to work hard and bring back Anglicans who had left the fold for other churches saying “they are only on sabbatical where they went.”

    He said: “We are not going to compromise on the vision and mission of the Diocese of Ekiti West, our slogan has now changed to “With God, All Things Are Possible” and the focus will now be on massive and vigorous evangelism.

    “From July 2, together with my priests, we shall embark on open air crusade, the type we did in Ilukuno some years back where they attacked me as a reverend but I am going there now as a bishop.

    “Becoming bishop, it was a surprise, it was a great grace for my wife and I to be here. We have many priests who are far better than me. Please, don’t mark my grammar because I may not speak the best grammar, just accept me the way I am as long as I preach the gospel.

    Speaking on the state of the nation, the bishop said the political problems afflicting Nigeria are not beyond divine solution urging the nation’s leaders to speak less grammar and be sincere in leadership.

    Adepoju said: “In this country, we need sincerity in leadership because we speak too much grammar in Nigeria. We have many programmes and policies capable of changing this country but we have failed.

    “Let all of us be sincere in tackling our problems in Nigeria and there will be a way out. If all Nigerians can trust God with our present predicament and problems, there will be solution.”

    Adepoju was born on May 10, 1963; he holds Diploma in Religious Studies from Immanuel College of Theology (1988); a B.A. (Hons) Religious Studies from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife (1993); MSc Sociology with a bias for Criminology from the Ekiti State University (2003); M.A. in Religious Ethics from Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta (2016) where he is undergoing a Ph.D programme in the same discipline.

    The new bishop was the Ekiti Area Chairman of the Bible Society of Nigeria  from 2007-2014 and was also a National Board member of the body to date.

    He had served as Bishop Chaplain to the former Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, the late Rt. Rev. Clement Agboola Akinbola for several years before he was posted to many parishes as vicar until he became an Archdeacon (Venerable) in 1997.

    Adepoju got married to his wife, Tolulope on 22nd October, 1994 and the marriage is blessed with three children-Jesutofunmi, Iretomiwa and Jesutomisin.

  • PDP ‘ll soon become history in Ekiti, says Oni

    PDP ‘ll soon become history in Ekiti, says Oni

    •APC Deputy National Chairman for governor

    For about four hours yesterday, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, stood still as the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Segun Oni, officially declared to run for the party’s governorship ticket in 2018.

    There was a lockdown on major highways in the city.

    It took the former governor over three hours to reach the APC secretariat at Ajilosun on Ikere Road from his campaign headquarters at Adebayo area of the state capital.

    Oni, who rode in an open-roof Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and clutched a broom, his party’s symbol, was followed by a huge crowd of supporters.

    The long trek caused a traffic snarl at areas such as Adebayo, Okesa, Ojumose, Okeyinmi, Ijigbo and Ajilosun.

    The crowd overwhelmed the party’s secretariat.

    They refused to go away when the rain started falling intermittently as Oni made his declaration.

    Addressing the party’s State Executive Council, Oni said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration under Governor Ayo Fayose should be prepared for exit from the Government House, judging by the acceptability of APC across the state.

    The former governor was accompanied by his wife, Kemi, party leaders, like Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, Senator Anthony Adeniyi, Oyetunde Ojo, former House of Assembly members and political office holders who served under him.

    He regretted what he called “instability in governance in which nine state chief executives had occupied the Government House since 1999, unlike Lagos State, which has been ruled by three elected governors within the same period”.

    Oni said APC would administer Ekiti from 2018 for a long time.

    He promised to herald a new social and economic order to facilitate equal access to opportunities in jobs and economic gains for all Ekiti indigenes, regardless of backgrounds or status.

    Oni also promised to forward a bill to the House of Assembly to empower artisans and contractors to get jobs in their domains for even distribution of wealth among the populace to stop capital flight.

    He said: “I am going to build on the past records. I know those projects Ekiti loved during my first term and I will build on them as well as those needed to be corrected. That I will do.

    “My belief as we prepare for this race is that together we can win. I have no enemy to fight in APC, no matter what our differences are.

    “This party is a vehicle we must protect from crash. With the subtle appraisal we did today, we know that the PDP will become history in Ekiti in 2018.”

    The former governor hailed his party’s state Executive Council (Exco) for its doggedness and steadfastness in the face of intimidation and harassment by the Fayose government.

    APC Deputy Chairman, Mrs. Kemisola Olaleye, reiterated the readiness of the party to organise free, fair and transparent primary for aspirants.

    The party chief said only 19 aspirants have officially declared to run for governorship.

    She said: “We will be neutral to all aspirants. We will conduct a free and fair primary. It will be transparent that nobody will fault it. We only have 19 aspirants in this party for now, and Chief Oni is the 19th aspirant.

    “The will of God and the will of the people will prevail; only God knows the person who will win (the APC ticket). There is nobody who emerges as APC candidate that will not crush Fayose and his candidate at the governorship election.”

     

  • Ekiti promotes 6,993 secondary school workers, 2,590 council workers

    The Ekiti State government has promoted 6,993 teaching and non-teaching workers in public secondary schools and 2,590 in local governments.

    Chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission, Chief Abiodun Falayi, who gave details of the promotion, said it affected 3,963 teachers and 1,586 non-teaching workers.

    Falayi, who regretted that the Ayodele Fayose administration inherited what he called abnormalities in cadres, un-harmonised structure as well as inaccurate nominal roll and seniority list, said several complaints were considered and rectified during the promotion.

    The agency chief noted that issues about adjustment of inter-cadre transfer and conversion were settled.

    According to him, the interview was decentralised in six zones for administrative convenience and to ensure that it did not interfere with academic activities in schools.

    The Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission Mr. Sola Omotoso said the promotion was meant to motivate workers as well as engender efficiency and effectiveness in public service.

    He urged workers to live up to their responsibilities and support government’s efforts to improve the public service.

  • Royal row in Ekiti: Alawe, Arajaka battle Ologotun

    Royal row in Ekiti: Alawe, Arajaka battle Ologotun

    The chairmanship of the Traditional Council in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area of Ekiti State is causing tension among three first-class monarchs and their subjects. The crisis has snowballed into a street protest and exchange of words among them. However, the final decision is being expected from a panel set up by the state government to look into the dispute. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    Royal fathers and traditional chiefs are known for their peace advocacy. In their respective domains, they are expected to halt any insurrection or protest against any constituted authority. But how would one describe a scenario where royal fathers and traditional chiefs call out their subjects for placard-carrying street protest against a “constituted authority?”

    This played out in what may be described as a “royal rumble” among three traditional rulers in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area of Ekiti State over the chairmanship position of the traditional council in the area.

    The royal squabble is among the Ologotun of Ogotun-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Oyebade, and on the other side of the divide are the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi and the Arajaka of Igbara Odo-Ekiti, Oba Edward Jayeola.

    The Alawe and the Arajaka are united in their quest that the Ologotun, who had occupied the position for 20 years (since 1997) should step aside and allow another brother monarch to occupy the chair.

    The two monarchs and their chiefs claim that the instrument of law that established the council provided for a rotational chairmanship of the traditional council.

    But the Ologotun would have none of that. He claimed that there is nothing like rotational chairmanship in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area Traditional Council on the grounds that he is the only Pelupelu Oba (foremost or supreme Oba) among the three.

    The claim of being the only Pelupelu Oba in the council area further aggravated the raging fire of the supremacy battle as the Alawe, who also spoke on behalf of the Arajaka, accused the Ologotun of “deliberate distortion of history” in an alleged bid to make his chairmanship of Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area Traditional Council unending.

    The traditional chiefs of Ilawe and Igbara Odo upped the ante by staging a public protest against the Ologotun over what they called his “undue monopoly” of chairmanship of Ekiti Southwest Local Government Traditional Council.

    The placard-carrying chiefs, both males and females commenced the protest from their communities and marched to the local government secretariat in Ilawe where they submitted a protest letter to the council chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Omolase.

    They accused the Ologotun of breaching the law creating the local government which prescribed that the chairmanship of Council of Obas in the area be rotated among the three paramount rulers, the Alawe of Ilawe, the Arajaka of Igbara Odo and the Ologotun.

    Some of their placards read: “All we are saying, rotational chairmanship,” “Fair play should be adopted in Ekiti Southwest Council of Obas,” “Victimisation, tyranny is uncalled for in Ekiti Southwest Obas Council,” and “We in Igbara Odo are opposed to perpetual chairmanship of Ologotun,” among others.

    The chiefs said the three monarchs had rotated the chairmanship among themselves mutually and without acrimony until it was the turn of Ologotun in 1997.

    The Elemo of Ilawe, High Chief Gbenga Agbona, expressed regrets that Ologotun had refused to step aside for other Obas to take their turns “using all manner of tricks and tactics.”

    Agbona said: “At first, he capitalised on the incapacitation of the immediate past Alawe and instability in Igbara Odo occasioned by succession tussle.

    The Asamo of Igbara Odo, High Chief Banji Olowofela, said the chiefs yielded to the clarion calls of the people of their communities to call on Ologotun to step aside and allow another monarch to occupy the seat in the interest of equity and justice.

    Olowofela said: “We can no longer tolerate Ologotun’s monopoly of the chairmanship at the expense of and to the detriment of Ilawe and Igbara Odo monarchs and their people.

    “Until we get justice, the two Obas should not sit or attend any meeting in the local government where Ologotun is going to preside as chairman.”

    Local government chief Omolase said the matter was already receiving the attention of Governor Ayo Fayose whom he said set up a panel chaired by his deputy, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, to resolve the crisis.

    He revealed that the panel had summoned the three monarchs to submit their memoranda and would soon be invited to defend their papers after which a final decision would be taken.

    But the Ologotun, Oba Oyebade, maintained that he remains the authentic Chairman of the Council in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area as guaranteed by law and the State Chieftaincy Declaration. He described the protest by Ilawe and Igbara Odo chiefs as “unfortunate and an insult to Governor Ayodele Fayose who had set up a five-member panel to look into the crisis.”

    Oba Oyebade challenged the Ilawe and Igbara Odo communities to present records to prove that their monarchs chaired Ekiti Southwest Traditional Council. He described the Ologotun throne as a “prestigious one in Yoruba land” as he is the only Yoruba monarch that can see the inside of his crown.

    Denying the sit-tight allegation levelled against him by two brother monarchs and their communities, Oba Oyebade said he remains the only member of the highest traditional council named Pelupelu in the council area as contained in the Chieftaincy Law 3 of 2000 enacted under the Adeniyi Adebayo administration.

    He urged the two monarchs to get themselves acquainted with the report of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers Committee Resolution of June 19, 2001 when similar case reared its ugly head. He advised them to stop making infantile demands.

    Quoting a copy of the report, Oba Oyebade said: “In 2001, under Adebayo’s government, the Ilawe Improvement Union wrote a petition to the government raising similar protest. The Aladejana Panel report says we have 31 Grade ‘A’ Obas but only 16 of them are Pelupelu and you don’t attain Pelupelu by promotion. It’s by tradition.

    “Ologotun, being a Pelupelu Oba should be the permanent Chairman of Ekiti Southwest Traditional Council as it is the case in Moba, Ijero, Ikole and Ido-Osi.”

    According to him, he ascended the throne in 1985 after there was vacancy since 1976 when his predecessor joined his ancestors. He challenged the feuding monarchs to tender any document to confirm the existence of traditional council at the local government before 1997 when he assumed the position.

    “Part of the resolutions at that time was that the chieftaincy edict allowed only the 16 Pelupelu Obas to rotate the traditional council at the state level and at the local government level and that is what is in operation in all the 16 local government areas.”

    Oba Oyebade presented a document dated July 20, 2004 and signed by one Wole Faleye of the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs on behalf of the Permanent Secretary where the issue of elevation of some monarchs was approved.

    “Despite the approval, another letter signed by Wole Faleye and dated August 13, 2004 warned that such approval must not affect the supremacy of the Pelupelu Obas”.

    Continuing, he said: “Another letter signed by Special Adviser to Governor Kayode Fayemi, Chief Aderemi Ajayi on September 17, 2014 upgraded Olosi, Alawe, Arajaka and Olojudo of Ido-Ile to be part of Pelupelu and I protested the inclusion of Alawe and walked out of the meeting.”

    But the Alawe, Oba Alabi fired back at Oba Oyebade, accusing him of “showing a shallow sense of history.” He disputed the claim of the latter that he (the Ologotun) is the only “Pelupelu Oba” in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area.

    He insisted that he and Arajaka of Igbara Odo-Ekiti, Oba Jayeola are also Pelupelu Obas and are also favoured by history to occupy the chairmanship of Ekiti Southwest Local Government Traditional Council which has been held by the Ologotun for 20 years.

    Oba Alabi said: “Ologotun showed a shallow sense of history by claiming to be the only Pelupelu Oba in Ekiti Southwest. This is because Alawe and Arajaka were Pelupelu during the colonial days and the number 16 was never sacrosanct; it varied.

    “The number ‘sixteen’ was not sacrosanct as Obas in Ekiti joined the Pelupelu at different times hence by the time the Council was dissolved in 1958; its membership had risen to 20. There have been some misconceptions that only 16 Obas were in the group.

    “At its formation in 1900, members were 16 but by 1901, it had reduced to 14 with the exit of the Owalobo of Obbo (in present-day Kwara State) and the Oore of Otun to join the Northern Province.

    “The Deji of Akure, who was among the original members also left the group to come back before his final exit in 1945. The Attah of Ayede and the Elemure of Emure joined in 1920 and 1929 respectively while the Alawe, the Arajaka, the Olosi of Osi and the Olojudo of Ido Ile joined in 1947.

    “As far back as 1955, the six Obas in Ekiti South District namely the Ogoga of Ikere, the Arinjale of Ise, the Elemure of Emure, the Alawe of Ilawe, the Arajaka of Igbbara Odo and the Ologotun were rotating the chairmanship position of the council.

    “In fact, the Declaration with which the Elemure was installed in 1965 was signed by Alawe Akinola Adefolalu as the Chairman of the Obas Council in Ekiti South. With the creation of Ekiti Southwest Local Government in 1976 with headquarters in Ilawe, the instrument of the creation of the local government, Ondo State Law Number 12 provided that the chairmanship position should be rotated among the three Obas-Alawe, Arajaka and Ologotun.

    “The rotation was in vogue until now that the incumbent Ologotun wants to be permanent chairman hence the current problem in the Local Government Traditional Council. The three Obas in the local government are Grade ‘A’ Pelupelu Obas recognised and accorded the status by colonial government and at independence by the government of Western Region, Western State, Ondo State and even Ekiti State.

    “Therefore, it is a sign of shallow knowledge of history on the part of Ologotun to claim that he is the only Pelupelu Oba in Ekiti Southwest.

    “Ologotun will be deluding himself to think that Ilawe will be the headquarters of the local government and its monarch will be denied the right to chair the traditional council.

    Southwest Report investigation at the Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, Governor’s Office revealed that the defence of memoranda submitted by parties in the crisis has been postponed as no date has been given for the exercise.

    It was revealed that the Ilawe community has commissioned two of its sons who are Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana and Mr. Dele Adesina, to defend their community’s memo while the identity of the lawyer hired by the Ologotun is still kept under wraps.

     

  • Ekiti ‘murder’ trial: Families urge vigilance as hearing resumes today

    Families of slain World Bank consultant, Dr. Ayodeji Daramola, and the late Tunde Omojola have urged interest groups to pay attention to the murder trial which reopens today.

    The families urged reporters, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), lawyers, students’ bodies and the public to attend the continuation of the trial before Justice Adewale Fowe at the State High Court in Ado-Ekiti.

    Daramola was killed on August 14, 2006 at Ijan-Ekiti

    He planned to run for governor.

    Omojola was killed in 2005 during the councillorship poll at Ifaki-Ekiti.

    Both families, last week, petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Presidency, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Chief Judge of Ekiti State.

    They called their attention to an alleged manipulation of their sons’ murder trial in what they called a secret hearing where the families, who were the chief complainants, were kept in the dark.

    The petition also called the attention of NJC to a suspected fake list of defence and prosecution witnesses, all allegedly compiled to falsely testify in court to save some individuals indicted in the killings.

    According to the petition, none of the purported witnesses knew they were listed for either the prosecution or defence in the trial.

    The families said though the witnesses were members of the two deceased men’s families, but they were not aware of any trial.

    They added that their witnesses would be impersonated by another set of people allegedly paid to pose as witnesses.

    In a joint statement yesterday, representatives of the two families – Mrs Kehinde Olubunmi Daramola, Daramola’s widow, and Suleiman Bakare, Omojola’s brother-in-law – said they wanted reporters, lawyers, students and the public to attend the hearing to see out how the “witnesses” attained that status without the knowledge of the families of the victims.

    In the petition, Bakare, who was one of the purported witnesses in Omojola’s murder, confirmed that he was not aware of the trial; same with other 10 purported witnesses in Omojola’s case.

    At Ijan, two of the purported witnesses from Daramola’s family said they were not aware of any trial, while two other purported witnesses – Femi Kehinde and Edward Kehinde – never existed in the community.

    The families sought the support of Nigerians to insist on due process and open trial to ensure justice for their slain sons.

  • Fayose sacks all his commissioners

    Fayose sacks all his commissioners

    Governor Ayodele Fayose has sacked his commissioners, two years after he appointed majority of them.

    It was the  first cabinet overhaul by  the  administration since it came into power on Oct 16, 2014.

    The development which was with immediate effect, was made known in a statement issued by the Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communication and New Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka in Ado Ekiti.

    According to the statement, all Commissioners are to hand over to the Permanent  Secretaries of their various ministries.

    The governor thanked the commissioners  for their service to the state and wished them well in their further endeavours.

    NAN recalls that the governor approved the appointment of the former commissioners on Dec. 03, 2014, and consequently sent their names to the state assembly for confirmation.

    Majority of the commissioners were sworn in on 2 July 2015.

    Affected  by the order are: Owoseni Ajayi (Justice), Toyin Ojo (Finance) and Kayode Ojo (Works).

    Others are Bisi Kolawole (Environment), Lanre Ogunsuyi (Information), Kehinde Odebunmi (Agriculture), Kolapo Kolade (Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters) and Olurotimi Ojo (Health), Deji Adesua (Public Utilities), Jide Egunjobi (Education), Mrs. Olayinka Ogundayomi (Women Affairs), Tayelolu Otitoju (Lands) and Gbenga Olajide (Budget and Planning).

  • Erinle: APC ‘ll form next government in Ekiti

    Erinle: APC ‘ll form next government in Ekiti

    Hon Segun Erinle is a former member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly from Gbonyin Constituency. He spoke with reporters in Lagos on the preparations of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for next year’s governorship poll. 

    What have you been doing since you left ekiti state house of assembly?

    How have you been coping with challenges of life after leaving office? It has been nice as l never forget my Constituency, when in office I retire to my constituency after the legislative business of the day, so my life remains same.

    When you compare the current Fifth Assembly with your Fourth Assembly is there any innovation brought into the legislative business?

    I was part of the 4th Assembly, hence, it would be wrong of  me to compare  the two, but the electorates are in better position to do that, all l know is  the fact that we did our best while in office, we promulgated laws that would better the lives of our people.

    What is your reaction to plans by the state government to probe former Governor Kayode Fayemi? 

    Yes l read the joke in the newspapers, have you forgotten that the executive and the legislative arm in Ekiti are one, the current governor told the entire world that the Speaker is acting for him as Speaker and he remains the Speaker, put that aside the Standing rule of the House is clear on matters before the court hence, l call the resolution as a joke. Don’t get me wrong, if Dr Fayemi has committed any wrong doing he should be tried but the way it is being done is witch hunting exercise embarked upon by my colleagues and the Executive arm.

    There is the feeling that the House approved a bond that threw the state in perpetual debt is that correct?

    I can vouch for the majority of our members, we scrutinised the entire process and we approved it in the overall interest of Ekiti people, did we not do same for the current governor before he used the state apparatus to drive us out of Ekiti, a loan in billions was approved for him to ease the sufferings of our people.

    How will you assess the Fayoses administration?

    You can only give what you have? Mr Governor did not realise that events have changed between 2006 and 2015, how much was the minimum wage in 2006, is it same in 2015, the answer in no. Unfortunately, Mr governor did not realise that, he was shouting debt and debt every day, was the debt not on when we took over in 2010, were we owing as much salaries before he came on board, we were still able to pay salaries in Ekiti because we understand that Ekiti is a civil servant state and if you owe salaries the economic activities of the state will crumble, that explain reasons for what we are experiencing now. Our IGR is nothing to write home about and since the price of oil has crashed, funds coming to Ekiti have reduced.

    Do you think the APC stand a chance of winning the next governorship election? 

    The APC would form the next government in Ekiti by the grace of God.

    Don’t you think the crises the party primary may generate will affect its chances at the poll?

    Very soon, we shall separate men from boys, some know they cannot even vie for Councillorship position but, they want to be governor, my party shall organise a very transparent primaries where the best candidate would emerge.

    Dr Fayemi said the 2014 election issue is not closed and you are talking of primaries, are you both not thinking same way?

    We both agreed there was something wrong with the 2014 election in view of recent confessional statements, and the fact that some officers were dismissed as a result of the roles they played during the election hence, there is the need to bring up more facts that led to the defeat of our party.

    What is your view on the economic team of Mr President?

    I think it is in order, what Mr President has done is to allow our currency to find its level in the international market, some may disagree with that policy, but I am in full agreement with it, at a time the Naira was floating at almost 650 to a British pound and nearly 450 to a dollar but today its 470—480 at the other market to a pound and about 360 ——370 to a dollar. Previous govt have been supporting our currency to our detriment but with the new policy put in place things would improve.

    What’s   your next political move?

    I will be seeking my party’s ticket to represent   Ekiti North Federal Constituency 2 at the House of Representatives in 2019. I believe all powers belong to God hence, politics is service to the people.

    Why do you want to go to House of Representatives?

    I believe as a member of the House of Rep, l will be able to contribute more to the progress of  my Constituency  and continue the  fight for the Rights of our youths, l have done it before, and l intend to do it again. The problem of our Country is enormous but, it can be overcome with the right people at the helms of affairs, the journey to restore our lost glory will continue if I am elected.

  • Court acquits man, 52, of defrauding Ekiti govt of N72m

    A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, yesterday discharged and acquitted a 52-year-old man, Tunde Adebayo, charged with defrauding the state government of N72 million.

    He was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and fraud.

    The prosecution said the accused obtained N72 million to supply laptops for 450 senior police officers serving in the state.

    Justice Donatus Okorowo held that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubts.

    He said: “The prosecution counsel failed to produce any record to support the allegations of conspiracy and fraud against the defendant.

    “He is hereby discharged and acquitted.”

    The prosecution counsel, Mr Femi Falade, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on March 18, 2009.

    He said the defendant conspired with others on the run and defrauded the state government of N72 million from the State Multi-purpose Credit Agency Office in Ado-Ekiti for buying laptops for 450 senior police officers.

    Adebayo was said to have supplied only 270 laptops out of the approved 450 and failed to supply the rest.

  • PDP’s losing popularity in Ekiti, says chieftain

    PDP’s losing popularity in Ekiti, says chieftain

    A PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Ekiti State, Hon.Opeyemi Falegan, has cautioned Governor Ayo Fayose against executing anti-people policies, which could affect the fortunes of the party in the2018 governorship poll.

    Falegan, who is based in the United Kingdom, said the party’s popularity is waning, adding that Fayose “dictatorial tendencies.”

    In a statement, Falegan bemoaned a situation in which Ekiti has acquired notoriety over some recent crises witnessed in the state which could have been better handled if there were consultations between the government and the people.

    Falegan said: “The crises ranging from the recent disagreement between the state government and oil marketers and a stand-off between the government and Ikere community over the relocation of a shrine among others, is at variance with conditions for meaningful development.

    “The way and manner the present PDP-led administration is losing its popularity as a result of self-induced but avoidable crises calls for great concern among the true party leaders and loyalists.

    “Government and party cannot be separated since there could be no government without a party in democratic setting, especially in Nigeria as at today, hence the need for the governor to always Fine-tune his strategies from the beginning of implementation of every project being embarked on.”

     

     

    “The failure of any party in power begins with resistance or disapproval of its policies by the society. Therefore the present administration needs to change from its current dictatorial tendency of handling some sensitive issues to save the PDP.

    “The present PDP government needs to move fast and right the wrongs. Those in government need to see this period as the only fortuitous time left to write their names in gold on the political history of the state, especially because of the party they represent now.”

  • Zoning debate resonates in Ekiti

    Zoning debate resonates in Ekiti

    The political atmosphere in Ekiti State is getting charged by the day, as next year’s governorship election draws nearer. Given that only Ekiti South has not produced a governor since the return of civil rule in 1999, there is a debate on whether the number one office should be conceded to the zone or be thrown open to all aspirants. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    THE 2018 governorship election in Ekiti State is one year away. The last election was conducted on June 21, 2014. Though the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to roll out the guidelines and the timetable for the contest, indications are that the election would hold sometime in June 2018.

    One of the major issues expected to shape the poll is zoning. The debate over zoning is raging ferociously as the day of decision draws nearer. Like other states across the country, Ekiti has three senatorial districts — Ekiti North, Ekiti Central and Ekiti South.

    Since the state was created on October 1, 1996, the only zone that had not produced an elected governor is Ekiti South. Ekiti North has produced governors twice: Chief Segun Oni, from Ifaki in Ido/Osi Local Government Area, who was in office between 2007 and 2010 and Dr. Kayode Fayemi from Isan in Oye Local Government Area who was at the helm from 2010 to 2014. Ekiti Central had enjoyed the privilege of producing the state chief executive on three different occasions: Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo from Iyin in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area held the reins from 1999 to 2003; he was succeeded by Mr. Ayodele Fayose who occupied the number one seat between 2003 and 2006. Fayose staged a dramatic comeback in 2014 and the current tenure is expected to terminate shortly after the 2018 poll.

    It should be noted that in the old Ondo State (before Ekiti State was created), an indigene of Ikere in Ikere Local Government Area, from the present-day Ekiti South senatorial district, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, was governor for 22 months, before the Gen. Sani Abacha dismantled the democratic structures put in place by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida on November 17, 1993, through a palace coup.

    The controversy on zoning came to the fore before the conduct of the 2014 governorship contest, especially in the camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party then had an array of formidable aspirants, but its ticket eventually went to Fayose from Ekiti Central.

    In the APC then, Fayemi who hails from Ekiti North had no problem securing the party’s ticket, as he was the incumbent governor seeking a second term. Former House of Representatives member, Opeyemi Bamidele, who was seen as his challenger for the ticket had left for the Labour Party (LP) where he emerged as the party’s candidate.

    The Ekiti South agenda is occupying a front burner again, as the 2018 governorship election beckons. This explains why Ekiti South has the highest number of governorship aspirants in the race; the number keeps increasing everyday, especially in the APC. But, the question is: will the senatorial district get the nod to produce a governor this time around?

    While zoning of offices is an official component of the PDP constitution, it is not in the APC constitution, even though the party still carries out the principle “one way or the other”.

    Ekiti today has proponents and opponents of zoning; people who are arguing for and against it, based on which side of the divide they find themselves. To the proponents of zoning, it is just, equitable and fair for all parties to concede their governorship tickets to Ekiti South, to give the zone a sense of belonging. They argue that the other two zones have had their turns in governance and should be ready to allow the only zone yet to produce a governor to do so, through the next governorship election. They believe that the zone has quality aspirants who can pilot the affairs of the state after 2018 and thus end the perceived “marginalisation”.

    But, the opponents of zoning would have none of that; they believe that the governorship seat should be thrown open to all aspirants, irrespective of their senatorial districts of origin. Some of them hinge their argument on the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act, which stipulate conditions and requirements a person vying for the office of governor must fulfil before being elected to the position.

    While arguing that “power is not served a la carte”, the opponents of zoning believe that principle breeds indolence and mediocrity and could throw up an ill-prepared and incompetent person as governor.

    Whatever method the parties adopt in choosing their flag bearers, it is the electorate that will decide the eventual winner. Some observers are of the view that the propriety or otherwise of the zoning principle could make or mar the chances of some parties in next year’s election in Ekiti.

    Speaking on the controversy, the APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said the party has rules and norms, as to how a candidate could emerge and that the party’s constitution is supreme on the issue. He said: “Our party has rules and that is the norm; the party has provided for a process that will not only provide a guideline, but also one that will provide a process that is devoid of controversy.

    “A process that will provide for transparency, fairness and level-playing ground for every citizen of Ekiti State to aspire to any position to serve their people; the governorship is not an exception. The party constitution is not designed in such a manner that will deprive anyone desirous of participating in the electoral process either to vote or to be voted for.

    “So, in this case, the governorship of Ekiti in 2018 can be contested for by all indigenes of Ekiti State who are qualified as provided for in the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria and the constitution of the party. People asking for zoning are entitled to their personal opinion and they are free under the law to express themselves. Our party has not made any pronouncement on zoning and I don’t have any authority to say otherwise.”

    The PDP Deputy Chairman, Hon. Olasunkanmi Ogunbiyi, said the party has not come out with guidelines on where the governorship slot would go to. Ogunbiyi, whose faction is loyal to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, described the demand for the zoning of the governorship position to Ekiti South as a “legitimate one” which should not be ignored.

    He said: “This is my own personal opinion as the party is yet to unfold its guidelines, but the groundswell of opinion in our party favours zoning of the governorship to the South, because the zone has been marginalised. Ekiti South is the largest in terms of land mass and has the highest number of local government areas. It has six local government areas, while the other two senatorial districts have two five local government areas each.

    “Apart from not producing governor, Ekiti South has not produced the Head of Service since the state was created. Besides, all federal institutions and other major institutions are located in Ekiti North and Ekiti Central. The only tertiary educational institution in the South is College of Education, Ikere.”

    The Publicity Secretary of the PDP faction loyal to Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, agrees with Ogunbiyi. He said the preponderance of opinion in the party favours a shift to the South. Adebayo, who described politics as a dynamic game, said if Fayose who is the leader of the faction sees reason in the call for power shift, he would align with the wishes of the people.

    He said: “For PDP in Ekiti State, the issue of zoning is natural and fundamental. Number one, there was consensus among the elite in the past, unless when they thought the governorship should go to the North and this produced Oni on the platform of the PDP and Fayemi on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    “Some people are of the opinion that it should go to South; our leader (Fayose) came out to contest in 2014, because his first tenure was truncated. Because he was acceptable to the people, he won the primary and he won he main election. The consensus in the party is that the South should take a shot at the governorship and our position has not shifted. Politics is not a game where one plus one equals two, but if our leader sees reasons to shift position on it, it is still accommodated in politics.”

    The Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Prince Tunji Ogunlola, said zoning is not in the constitution of the party, but that people usually make room for it to accommodate interests. Nevertheless, he said: “The Nigerian constitution is superior to any party constitution.”

    The National Conscience Party (NCP) Chairman, Comrade Kunle Omotayo, said the issue of zoning is not the issue. He said: “Ekiti people need somebody they can rely on. In the name of zoning, somebody who is not a good leader can be picked so our people need a person who will serve them passionately and diligently and give them good governance and better standard of living.”

    The State Chairman of KOWA, Pastor Ade Ogunkolade, said his party does not believe in zoning. He said: “If we want the best candidate to emerge as our governor, we have to throw the race open. If we zone it to the South only, we may not get the best candidate. To get the best, our party desires to throw the race open to all aspirants, irrespective of the zones they are coming from.”

    An APC governorship aspirant, Mr. Kola Alabi, who hails from Ikere, maintains that it is high time the South produced a governor to allow all zones the opportunity of tasting power. He said:  “It will only be fair if we allow somebody from the South to become the governor. The North and Central have had their fair share of the governorship and the time to show that Ekiti is homogeneous and believes in equity is in 2018 and our party leaders must support this.

    “Though being governor will not be for the South alone, but there are so many people from the zone who can lead Ekiti well, so it won’t be out of place to give us the chance. I want to appeal to our party to be fair and transparent in the conduct of the primary, so that the most acceptable aspirant would get the ticket.

    “So, I am not against the campaign for Ekiti South to produce the next governor, as long as the idea would not rob the state or the party of credible candidate. Any idea or move, aimed at ensuring equality, justice and equity for all, must be supported by all lovers of progress and democracy.”

    But, another APC aspirant, Captain Sunday Adebomi, who incidentally hails from Ekiti South, urged his party to give equal opportunity to aspirants from the three zones, to test their popularity. He said: “Though, I am from the South and I want the zone to produce the next governor, but only a weak aspirant would be rattled by the presence of other contestants from the North and Central. All we need to do is to put our house in order to be able to win the primary.

    “Our party shouldn’t shut out anybody from the primary. But, what we need is a level-playing ground, so that whoever emerges can represent the wish of the people.”

    The zoning debate in Ekiti rages on, but party primaries are expected to hold between February and March 2018 and the picture will become clearer when the parties hold their shadow polls.