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Tag: Ekiti

  • Ekiti PDP crisis: Fayose’s faction expels four members

    Ekiti PDP crisis: Fayose’s faction expels four members

    Rather than abate, the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has continued to rage as the faction loyal to Governor Ayo Fayose on Friday suspended four members of the State Working Committee (SWC).

    The faction loyal to Fayose is led by Idowu Faleye while the other faction that has 11 aggrieved SWC members is led by Tunde Olatunde who was appointed Acting Chairman when Faleye purportedly resigned in May.

    The two factions have been locked in a bitter struggle for the soul of the party which culminated in a reported shooting incident at the state party secretariat on July 31.

    The Faleye faction in a statement on Friday said those suspended include Olatunde, state PDP Secretary, Dr. Tope Aluko; Women Leader, Mrs. Busola Oyebode and Auditor, Tunji Olanrewaju.

    They were accused of alleged involvement in anti-party activities by the disciplinary committee set up to investigate them.

    The reconciliation committee from the PDP National Secretariat to resolve the crisis in Ekiti chapter is due in the state any moment from now but the latest action of the governor’s faction has added a fresh dimension to the imbroglio.

    The statement read; “The State Executive Committee of Peoples Democratic Party Ekiti State met Friday August 10, 2015 to review the report of the disciplinary committee set up by the party to investigate the allegations of anti party activities leveled against some officers of the party and resolved as follows:

    “That the Chief Idowu Faleye led Executive is the legally recognized Executive in Ekiti State as confirmed by the National Working Committee.

    “SEC resolved to uphold the recommendation of the Panel on the expulsion of the following people from the party in line with the constitution of the party for their anti party activities; Dr Tope Aluko, Mr Tunde Olatunde, Mrs Busola Oyebode and Mr Tunji Olanrewaju.

    “SEC ratified the sustenance, nomination and /or appointment of the following as the State Working Committee of the party: Chairman, Chief Idowu Faleye, Deputy Chairman Nelson Shaba, Senatorial Chairman Ekiti North, Gbeyiro Sunday, Senatorial Chairman South, Alhaji Gani Bankole, and Senatorial Chairman Central , Mr Femi Ogunleye.

    Others are the new Youth Leader, Ayo Ogungbuyi, Women Leader, Afolabi Yemisi Gloria,Treasurer, Hon Adeolu Aluko, Auditor , Mojeed Azees Apempe, Publicity Secretary, Jackson Adebayo, Legal, Olowolafe Ojo Sunday and  Financial Secretary is Akutupu Afolayan.

    It also passed vote of confidence in Fayose “for his efforts at moving the party forward in the state and the national level” also appointed a former chairman of the party, Chief Bola Olu-Ojo as the honorary adviser to Faleye.

    Reacting to their suspension by the faction loyal to Fayose, Aluko described the action as a “huge joke, an affront on the party constitution and impunity of the highest order” saying they are not affected by what he called an “illegal action.”

    Aluko who spoke in a telephone chat described Faleye and his backers as “jokers and jesters” expressing worry that the party is being ridiculed before Ekiti people and Nigerians by those bent on violating its constitution.

    According to him, those “fomenting the crisis” are defectors from the Labour Party (LP) who don’t understand the philosophy, doctrine and manifesto of the PDP.

    Aluko also added that the timing of the action was intended to embarrass him as he was busy with the wedding of his daughter which holds on Saturday.

    Aluko said: “These people cannot just come from the LP and start messing up our party.

    “These hijackers that we didn’t know, I mean impostors talking about suspension are not known to the constitution of the PDP.

    “So, this is impunity at the highest level and an affront to the party. Our tenure expires March 18, 2016. Somebody, somewhere must be illiterate.

    “They came into this party few years ago, they should stop trampling on our constitution which stipulates how a member can become members of the SWC or be removed.

    “Whoever that is pushing them must come out openly. Just look at the timing, I mean when I was about doing the wedding of my daughter Saturday, they took the illegal action. I am going to expose what is between us to the whole world,” Aluko threatened.

    “They are jokers, this party is not for jesters, these people should stop toying with the future of the party, they should stop toying with the constitution of the party.

    “Somebody somewhere must be a bloody illiterate, we brought them to the party three years ago, they must stop this impunity. Tell the whole world that we remain in our offices and the purported expulsion cannot stand.

    “It violates the constitution of the party and it cannot stand. We were elected in March 2012 and our tenure ends in March 2016.”

  • Ekiti advises farmers on storage, preservation of produce

    The Ekiti State Government has assured farmers in the state of necessary assistance in storing and preserving their farm produce.

    The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Kehinde Odebunmi, gave the assurance in Ado-Ekiti while addressing a cross-section of farmers and traders in the state during a two-day sensitisation seminar on “Safe and Responsible use of Agrochemicals for stored Grains”.

    Hon Odebunmi who noted  that large percentage of farm produce was destroyed every year through poor storage techniques  stressed the commitment of the state government  to reverse the trend

    He reiterated the resolve of the Fayose administration to diversify the state economy from one that is  totally dependent  on the dwindling allocation from the federation accounts to an agriculture-based economy that will ultimately boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

    According to him, government would leave no stone unturned in sensitising all stakeholders on the proper use of agrochemicals.

    Noting the enormous harmful effects of the misuse of agrochemicals which he attributed to ignorance by farmers/traders and consumers, Odebunmi explained that the seminar was organised to assist in curbing the misuse of agrochemicals.

    He described the choice of Shasha Market as venue for the training as strategic since it serves as the primary distribution centre for grains to all markets in the state.

    The Seriki of Hausa Community at the Shasha Market expressed gratitude towards the government, especially the visit of the commissioner which he said was the first of its kind, as he had never witnessed such since he got to Ado-Ekiti about 40 years ago.

    He promised the Fayose administration of unalloyed support from the Hausa Community in the state and prayed for the success of the government.

  • Ekiti chief judge releases 34 inmates

    Ekiti chief judge releases 34 inmates

    EKITI State Chief Judge Justice Ayodeji Daramola has ordered the release of 34 awaiting trial inmates from the Federal Prison in Ado-Ekiti.

    The chief judge, according to a statement yesterday, gave the order after reviewing the cases of the 273 awaiting trial inmates during his visit to the prison.

    Eleven of the 34 inmates were released unconditionally and the remaining 23 were released based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution that they had no case to answer.

    Three other inmates were granted bail.

    The chief judge, who addressed stakeholders after the exercise, hailed the authorities of the prison for its clean environment and the remarkable improvement in the facilities since his last visit last year.

    He also hailed the prison authorities for the provision of a clinic and some sports facilities for the inmates.

    But, the chief judge stressed the need to ensure that the clinic was provided with adequate medical personnel and drugs.

    He called on religious bodies, non-governmental and public-spirited organisations to support government’s efforts at making prisons a correctional and rehabilitation centre indeed, by donating relevant and needed materials.

    Hailing stakeholders involved in the administration of criminal justice in the state for their contributions to the dispensation of Justice, he, however, urged them to redouble their efforts to ensure that justice is delivered speedily in all matters.

    Justice Daramola advised the released inmates to be of good behavior.

  • 12 jostle for Ekiti varsity VC job

    12 jostle for Ekiti varsity VC job

    No fewer than 12 candidates have applied for the post of the Vice Chancellor of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti which becomes vacant in four months time.

    Incumbent Vice Chancellor, Prof. Patrick Oladipo Aina, is expected to vacate office on December 2 when he would have completed a five-year non-renewable term.

    Aina, a professor of Soil Physics, is credited with massive infrastructural development, execution of reforms which has repositioned the university and better welfare for staff and students, among others.

    He was a senior academic at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile- Ife before he became EKSU Vice Chancellor.

    EKSU Registrar, Emmanuel Ogunyemi, confirmed to The Nation yesterday that 12 candidates were interested in the office of the Vice Chancellor, but he declined to give their names.

    Ogunyemi, who is also the Secretary to the Senate and the Governing Council, disclosed that filing of applications has since closed while candidates will be interviewed in October.

    Inside sources told our correspondent that out of the 12 candidates who beat the deadline for submission, six are senior academics in the university while the rest six are from other universities around the country.

    The Nation gathered that candidates have been lobbying powerful individuals, including politicians, council members and other people that matter in pushing their case.

    Expected to play key roles in the emergence of a new VC are the Visitor, Governor Ayo Fayose and Chairman of the Governing Council who is also the immediate past Minister of State (Works), Prince Dayo Adeyeye.

    In the race for the EKSU VC job are former Vice Chancellor of the defunct University of Science and Technology, Ifaki (USTI), Prof. Oye Bandele; Prof. Joel Adegun, former EKSU Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development) and Prof. Gbenga Aribisala; former EKSU Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic).

    Other EKSU senior academics gunning for the plum job are Prof. Samuel Ashaolu, former Dean of Faculty of Science; Prof. Adeolu Ibijola of Mathematical Sciences Department and Prof. Joshua Kayode.

    The identity of the six applicants from other universities could not be ascertained at press time, but a strong lobby was being intensified to ensure that one of the ‘insiders’ got the job.

    A source said: “The candidates are expected to face the interview panel in October and it will involve the Governing Council, the Senate and members of the congregation.

    “The papers of the applicants are being scrutinised while for the outsiders, visits are being paid to the universities where they had worked in the past.

    “The search party is already on the field and this is one of the measures to ensure that the process is credible and transparent.”

  • Panic as Ekiti’s task force evicts estate’s residents

    Panic as Ekiti’s task force evicts estate’s residents

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose-led government yesterday forcibly evicted owners of houses in Irewolede Estate in Ado-Ekiti, who were yet to complete payment of their mortgages.

    The task force’s team stormed the estate as early as 7am, backed by armed policemen and bulldozers, with padlocks and chains.

    The action caused panic among the residents, especially women and children.

    A mother and her three-day-old baby, belonging to the Chairman of Estate Landlords Association, Ayo Orebe, were locked inside his house.

    The action followed a two-month ultimatum issued to those yet to complete their payments to do so or face eviction.

    The government announced on the state media its intent to move into the estate at the expiration of the deadline on August 5.

    The demolished and sealed buildings belong to some  former political appointees of the state’s immediate past administration.

    A resident, Bolaji Fasanmi, alleged that the state government was biased in its mode of operation, asserting that only buildings belonging to the executive members of the estate were locked.

    He added that those belonging to other residents, who were owing heavily, were left unsealed.

    Orebe described the government’s action as unwarranted and witch-hunting.

    He added that the residents signed mortgage agreements ranging between 10 to 25 years for civil servants and five to 10 years for politicians, which, he said, the state government had contravened.

     Orebe, who displayed evidence of his payment before reporters, explained that he had fulfilled his obligations through the primary mortgage institution and his house was still locked with a three-day old baby inside.

    He said some of them had been living in the estate since 2008 and others in 2011.

    The chairman noted that it would be wrong for them to be pushed out “in a disastrous way” after contributing immensely to the estate’s development.

    “Some of the landlords bought their houses through mortgage arrangements and outright purchase, which will last for a period of between 10 and five years for the payment of the full money.

    “Some of us have renovated our residences, spending several thousands of naira. Some of the landladies are widows, whose husbands bought the house and died few months after they got here.

    “These widows have no means of livelihood and there is no way they can continue with the payments. Should we now ask those people to vacate for their inabilities to pay?” he queried.

    Orebe added: “My people are aware of their indebtedness and we have even confirmed that to the government when the deputy governor met with us. But it will be difficult for us to pay this huge amount within a spate of short time.

    “But if proper arrangement is worked out, the government will get its money and it will at the same time be easy for us to pay. We shall be grateful, if the state government could grant us this opportunity.”

    The General Manager, Ekiti State Housing Corporation, Soji Awe, refused to comment on the development.

    For now, many residents do not know their fate. Whether they would be thrown out of their homes completely or be given the grace to pay up as some of the buildings have been demolished by the task force.

  • Ekiti PDP: A divided house

    Ekiti PDP: A divided house

    Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in a crisis. Two factions are fighting for the soul of the chapter. Reconciliation has hit the rocks. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA examines the issues that led to the protracted crisis and the way forward for the troubled party.

    A year after the controversial victory of Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose at the poll, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in deep crisis. The war of attrition, according to observers, may weaken the platform, if reconciliation fails.

    The bone of contention is the alleged politics of exclusion and the marginalisation of some stakeholders by the governor. Many chieftains, including Tope Aluko, who worked tirelessly for Fayose’s return to power, have complained that the governor has sidelined them.  A source said that  when the governor reneged on his promise to make Aluko the Chief of Staff, trouble started in the party: “Everybody knows that, apart from God, another person that contributed majorly to Fayose’s victory at the PDP governorship primary was TKO (Aluko) and it was on that condition that he (Aluko) thought hewould become the Chief of Staff to the governor after Fayose might have been sworn into office,” the source added.

    However, another source said that Fayose deliberately reneged on his promise because Aluko’s popularity was soaring and the governor feared that he would be a competitor for political relevance.

    The two factions in Ekiti PDP are led by Idowu Faleye and Tunde Olatunde. The position of the chairman became vacant, following the election of the former Chairman, Makanjuola Ogundipe, as a member of the Southwest PDP Zonal Executive Committee. Faleye, a protégé of the governor,  has been operating from the Government House and abandoned the party secretariat for the Olatunde faction. Irked by Faleye’s recognition by Fayose, Olatunde at a news conference in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, alleged that Faleye’s name is not on the party register. But, Faleye fired back, saying that he is the authentic chairman. Olatunde enjoys the support of the party secretary, Aluko, and the auditor, Olanrewaju.

    Olatunde said: “I want to say emphatically that Faleye is only parading himself illegally as the State Chairman. He is a labour unionist and not recognised as the leader of our party. He is a chairman in the Government House .

    “Faleye is not a registered member of our party. The constitution stipulated certain conditions that you must meet before you can be a State Chairman of our party.

    “He is from Ido/Osi  Ward I that has produced the Youth leader. So, it is unconstitutional for a ward to produce two exco members and for a non-registered person to be elected an officer of a ward,  let alone a whole state.”

    Faleye has refuted Olatunde’s claim, saying he had been performing his official functions as the chairman, including leading state caucuses to meetings at the national level.

    He said: “We don’t need to join issues with them. They were not recognised at the last meeting held at the national secretariat.

    The Olatunde faction has appointed Dapo Adebisi as the new Deputy Chairman. He replaced the former Deputy Chairman, Hon. FemiBamisile, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), shortly before last year’s governorship election.

    The State Working Committee (SWC) also removed an ally of  Fayose, Jackson Adebayo, as the Publicity Secretary.

    Adebayo was named by Faleye to replace Kola Oluwawole, who resigned to contest for a seat in the House of Assembly. Oluwawole won the Assembly poll and he was subsequently elected Speaker.

    The new Publicity Secretary is Michael Oladipo, who is from Erinmope Ward 1, Moba Local Government Area.

    Speaking shortly after the SWC meeting where the decisions were arrived at, Olatunde said the new appointees were recommended from their wards to fill the vacancies.

    Olatunde explained that Adebayo’s purported appointment by the faction loyal to the governor was “irregular and a flagrant violation of the PDP constitution.”

    Speaking on the validity of the action, Olatunde said the action was backed by Section 24(5) of the PDP constitution which states that a quorum for SWC shall be one-third of members drawn from the three senatorial districts and a simple majority shall pass any motion.

    When asked whether Fayose supported the appointment of the new appointees to party positions, Olatunde said that Section 47(6) of the PDP Constitution empowers the state executive to appoint new officers.

    The Section reads: “Where a vacancy occurs in any of the offices of the Party, the Executive Committee at the appropriate level shall appoint another person from the area or zone where the officer originated from, pending the conduct of election to fill the vacancy”.

    Olatunde added: “There is a difference between the government and the party. The party produces the gubernatorial candidate and the highest organ in the party is SEC.

    “The governor is a  (SEC) member while the state party chairman presides and from that simple illustration, that is the responsibility of the party. While the governor faces governance, the SWC runs the party.”

    When the crisis escalated, the party found was ejected from its secretariat at Ureje area, along Ikere Road. The owner of the building is the former party chairman, Chief Ropo Adesanya, who has defected to the APC. He is being owed N1.5 million, which is one year rent. The former chairman alleged that a dude cheque was issued to him by the PDP.

    The Ekiti PDP Elders’ Forum, led Senator Clement Awoyelu, has intervened in the crisis. But, the crisis assumed a new dimension when the forum threw its weight behind Faleye. Apart from passing a vote of confidence on Faleye, the elders accused the APC of fanning the embers of disunity in the ruling party.  the factional crisis rocking their party.

    Awoyelu said: “We viewed Tunde Olatunde’s and Tope Aluko’s, actions and their group as an affront to the party’s authority; very treacherous and barbaric, suggesting that they are being financed by the APC and other external forces purposely to destabilize our party”.

    He added: “On the issue of cheque that was not honoured, that cheque was forged because the signature on the cheque was not the signature of the chairman.

    “This was a calculated attempt to embarrass the party because he (Adesanya) has left the party for the opposition (APC)”.

    On why Faleye has not been operating from the party secretariat, Awoyelu said that he (Faleye) comes there regularly.  “But, in certain situations, one needs to be security-conscious,” he added.

    On the position of the Olatunde faction that Faleye and the State Youth Leader are from the same ward, which is contrary to the party constitution, Awoyelu said the SWC does not have the final say on the issue, adding that the power is vested in the State Executive Committee (SEC).

    He explained that party elders have intervened by holding peace meetings with the two factions. He alleged that the Olatunde faction is not interested in the resolution of the crisis.

    He said: “Faleye remains the authentic chairman of the party and enjoys the backing of majority of members in all wards, council areas and senatorial districts.

    The Chairman of the Forum of 16 PDP Chairmen in the LGAs, Kola Lawal, said the body is in support of Faleye, maintaining that there was no place where a meeting was held to remove him (Faleye) from office.

    Last week, the Faleye faction, backed by heavy police security, stormed the party secretariat to pronounce the suspension of four SWC members in the Olatunde faction.

    The Secretary, Aluko, claimed that he was shot at close range as he led members of the Olatunde faction to take over the secretariat, shortly after the Faleye faction announced the suspension of four members of the State Working Committee (SWC) led by Olatunde.

    There was tension earlier in the day as policemen were mobilised to the party secretariat in 10 vehicles and an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

    They prepared ground for the arrival of the Faleye faction. The faction announced the suspension of Olatunde, Aluko, Mrs. Busola Oyebode, the State Women Leader; Tunji Olanrewaju, the State Auditor, and Femi Esan, Assistant Secretary.

    They are to be ‘tried’ by the Faleye faction for alleged anti-party activities by a disciplinary panel to be chaired by Commissioner for Local Government Kolapo Kolade. Other members of the panel are Babade Ige, Animasaun Bamidele, Mrs. Lanre Fajuyi, Smart Adebusuyi, Dele Ajibola and Kola Lawal

    But, the Olatunde faction later came to take over the secretariat about two hours after the Faleye faction had left.

    The riot policemen were later mobilized to the party secretariat at about 3.40 pm and there was shooting with the PDP scribe reportedly hit by gunshots.

    Aluko said: “I was shot at close range by policemen. As I was parking, they opened fire on me at about 3.40 pm.

    “I went there and the policemen were waiting for me and what followed was shooting.

    “My cloth was drenched in blood and I am receiving treatment as you speak with me. I went to the party secretariat because that is my office as the PDP secretary in the state.

    “I have taken care of myself, no shaking. I want you to tell Fayose that the war has started and Fayose cannot intimidate us.

    “We will never leave the party for Fayose or any other person. Tell him that the war has started and we are battle-ready and the people of the state will know the real members of the party”.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, said that he was not aware of any shooting. He said: “Our men were their until they (PDP Chieftains) left and we are not aware of any other meeting held after they had left.

    “The DPO also told me that nobody had come to the station to complain that he was shot or any shooting incident took place”.

    The resolution of the faction loyal to Fayose to take disciplinary action against the five was read by its spokesman, Adebayo.

    But, Aluko described the action as a breach of the party’s constitution, saying that it was null and void.

    Aluko explained that  the State SWC was constituted by  14 members, wondering where Idowu Faleye-led faction had got the quorum to suspend them.

    “Nobody can push me out of PDP. I have invested and sweated so much to build the party. But if the party is heading to implosion , then I will take my destiny in my own hands, because nobody has right to my happiness more than myself.

    “PDP is being run in line with the constitution of the party. If this is the case, it came to me as a shock that the party could come up with this action through Jackson Adebayo and Idowu Faleye, who have been suspended by the authentic PDP leaders.

    “Though, we owe it a duty to respect the NWC, but for suspended Chairman to do that was a deliberate attempt to destroy the party, is rather frightening, embarrassing and also disturbing”, Aluko stated.

    He maintained that up till now, Faleye has not been properly registered as a PDP member in his ward, having defected from Labour Party (LP) where he ran for the House of Represetatives seat for Ekiti North Federal Constituency 2 in the 2011 general elections.

    Aluko added : “How can eleven members be suspended  in the SWC? Only the State Executive Committee, acting on the directive of  the NWC, can do that. If anybody think the best way to save the party is by illegal suspension, I won’t be part of that game.

    “Since we assumed office, we have worked hard to win so many elections. We were the one that put Governor Ayodele Fayose on that seat. I was the State Agent in the last governorship poll .

    “I can still not recollect where the meeting was held to ratify our suspension. It was just a decision of Faleye and his faction”.

    Aluko contended that the Publicity Secretary of the party , Mr Olisa Metuh, could not have issued the statement that purportedly suspended them because he has scheduled a peace meeting for next this week.

    Party members are wondering why a party, which won the last year’s poll,  could be so enmeshed in a protracted crisis, barely a year after.

    To observers, history is merely repeating itself in the Ekiti PDP. During Fayose’s first term,the PDP also suffered from factional crisis. A faction known as “Egbe Majeobaje” or “Authentic PDP” broke away due to irreconcilable differences with Fayose.

    The party did not recover from the crisis, until the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) clampdown and the wind of impeachment blew the administration away.

    A party member said: “I am afraid if this matter is not resolved, history may repeat itself as any party that finds itself in power in Ekiti goes into opposition at the next election and I hope we are not laying that foundation with the latest needless crisis.”

  • PDP must be sacked from power in Ekiti, says former Speaker

    Former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Hon. Femi Bamisile has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must be sacked from power in the governorship next election. The election holds in 2018.  He said the sacking of the PDP will halt bad governance in the state.

    Bamishile unveiled his master plan, which he tagged: ‘Ekiti Economic Recovery.’

    At a meeting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, he said change is possible.

    He said he joined the governorship race to salvage the state.

    Bamishile flayed Governor Ayo Fayose for raising thugs, thereby breeding youths without future.

    The former Speaker promised to implement the manifestos of the APC on human capital development, if elected as governor.

    A student leader, Sunday Asefon, who spoke on behalf ot the youths, described Bamisile as a man of integrity and honour.

    He said:“It is unfortunate that the Governor Fayose has portrayed the state as a poverty-betrothed one, with no plans for the youth in any of his cabinet or government, unlike the previous one. Even the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports has been proscribed because it has little or no importance before the governor.

    “We need somebody urgently like Rt. Hon. Bamisile, to restore the integrity and confidence of the Ekiti people in her governments, and to also develop the education sector.

     

     

     

     

  • Ekiti battles flooding

    In its determination to prevent the perennial flood incidents in several parts of the state, the Ekiti State government has dredged over 32 kilometres of water ways and river channels in Ado-Ekiti since the inception of the Fayose-led administration.

    The Commissioner for Environment, Bisi Kolawole revealed this in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital when members of the State House of Assembly Committee on Environment visited him in his office.

    Kolawole explained that the achievement was part of efforts of the state government to prevent flooding in some perennial flood-prone areas.

    He reeled off some of the rivers and water ways that have been dredged to include Ofin Stream and its tributaries (8,200m); Odo Ayo-Bawa (4,000m), Basiri (3,200m) and the NTA/Orubaloye/Omisanjana (1,500m).

    The commissioner added that the Adere/Omisanjana/Water ways (5,200m), Christ Girls’ School, Dalimore/Akeju (8,450m) and Emirin/Poly (1,800m) have also been dredged.

    Noting that work has commenced on the dredging of waterways in Ilawe in Ekiti West Local Government Area, he assured that dredging of Diamond Bank/Awedele Waterways would soon commence in order to prevent avoidable flooding of the new market.

    He said the dredging work has gone beyond the state capital, even as he assured that government is determined to dredge all waterways in any flood-prone area.

    Kolawole, however, warned residents of the state to avoid dumping garbage in the water ways as such act could block free flow of the water which could lead to flooding.

    Commenting on the proposed house-to-house waste collection scheduled to begin soon, the commissioner explained that the concept would assist in keeping the state clean as well as boost revenue generation as the people would be expected to pay a token for the disposal of their garbage.

     

  • More kidnappers in police net in Ekiti

    More kidnappers in police net in Ekiti

    Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose has praised the state police command and the Department of State Security (DSS) for their efforts towards ridding the state of kidnapping and other violent criminals, saying the collaboration among the state government, police and the DSS in fighting crime is yielding fruit.

    Governor Fayose spoke during the swearing-in of the new executive of the state chapter of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) where he revealed that three more suspected kidnappers have been arrested. He, however, regretted the alleged involvement of commercial drivers in the crime.

    He said information available to him showed that commercial transporters were being used by kidnappers to abduct innocent people with the intention of receiving ransom from them.

    He urged drivers to join hands with his administration to curtail the activities of kidnappers and other criminals.

    Describing drivers unions as important stakeholders in the state, Fayose urged them to be security conscious in the performance of their duties in moving people, goods and services.

    Fayose said: “Three more kidnappers have been arrested. The moment you suspect the activities of bad people, let the police know. We thank God that our efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes are yielding fruit.

    “I want to commend you for contributing immensely to the development of the state’s economy, but don’t allow yourselves to be used by evil doers.

    “You can see that some kidnappers were paraded recently. Information from them revealed that they have been using some of your members.

    Earlier in the week, 12 suspected kidnappers were arrested in the state through the joint efforts of the police and Department of State Services (DSS).

    The 12 suspects are believed to be members of a kidnap syndicate responsible for abductions of residents and visitors to the state recently.

    They include a self-acclaimed pastor, Babatunde Balogun, two women and 10 others. Balogun was said to be giving spiritual support to the kidnapping suspects in return for a share of ransom money made by the suspects.

    Four other kidnap suspects now at large have been declared wanted by security agencies. They are Kenneth Ozor, Jonathan Ozor, Kehinde Adeleye and Sunday Ogunleye.

    They were said to be responsible for the kidnap of a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade and an Associate Prof. at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Dr. Femi Omisore recently along Ido-Ekiti axis.

    Speaking at the parade of the suspects in Ado Ekiti with Governor Fayose in attendance, DSS Director, Duke Fubara and Police Commissioner, Etop James, disclosed that the suspects had confessed to the crime.

    Police chief James revealed that the state command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad has been working very hard to prevent a resurgence of kidnapping in Ekiti State.

    DSS boss Fubara explained that the collaboration between his agency and the police has been yielding fruit, adding that no effort would be spared to rid the state of kidnapping and other crimes.

    Fubara said: “We could all attest to the fact that the kidnappers terrorised the state from the first week of May this year. Their activities brought a lot of trauma to the people.

    “Though, some of the victims have been released, we did not give in. We did investigation and we increased our network and the result is what you are seeing today.

    “What we discovered with the composition of these suspects was that some of them were members of the inmates that escaped during the November 30, last year jailbreak in Ekiti.”

    Fayose, who described the war against kidnapping and other violent crimes as a “collective fight” warned opposition politicians against politicising kidnapping and other criminal acts.

    While praising security agencies for their bravery in tackling crimes, Fayose attributed upsurge in crimes to the November 30, last year jailbreak at Ado-Ekiti Prisons, urging security agencies to intensify efforts to re-arrest those that escaped.

    Fayose said: “It is a collective fight. We have to fight this together, so that all of us can sleep with two eyes closed.

    “Ekiti has been under great torment since last year’s jailbreak incident. But we want you to beam your searchlights on the neighbouring states such as Delta, Osun and Ondo because we had the trace that people used to come from outside to train our people here in kidnapping and make use of them.

    “If you study this very well, you will understand that the networks have been widened and we have to do everything to break it”.

  • The prince polyglot at 75: Whither Ekiti?

    The prince polyglot at 75: Whither Ekiti?

    However, writing about Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi is, without doubt, the equivalent of carrying coal to Newcastle

    For example, by sheer manipulation, Ekiti was represented by five members, Ondo nine, Ogun 19   inclusive of the opportunists called civil society groups. In a restructured Nigerian society, the imbalance, even in the West, would be so obvious that we would be exchanging one imperialism with another (with Ekiti five and Ogun 19″, for instance). This, of course, is totally unacceptable.’ – Chief Oladeji Fasuan, MON, JP on President Jonathan’s 2014 talk shop.

    As at the last count, he speaks some six different modern languages and that, by the way, is only a minuscule part of this incredible human being, this senior citizen of a great country, who has, and continues to leave his mark on several areas of our national life. However, writing about Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi is, without doubt, the equivalent of carrying coal to Newcastle.  Too much has already been written about him, his background, and student activism at the then University of Ife which culminated in his election as the Secretary-General of the World Student Movement, a position which took him to about 140 countries, his impressive and continuing involvement in the organised private sector, as well as his philanthropy, the last leading his law firm to be mostly involved in pro bono services.

    Therefore, in order not to just  merely celebrate  him  on  his 75th birthday, I  decided  to pidgeon-hole him – not an easy prospect – zeroing in on the usefulness to Ekiti, or  otherwise,  of  the  IGBIMO URE EKITI (IUE) which he founded. After all, has he not told us that “the template had been laid to ensure that URE does not end up as a nine day wonder?”

    Consisting the likes of  Sir Remi Omotoso, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Dele Adesina (SAN), Professor Peter Adeniyi; Chief Sam Bolarinde; Admiral Dehinde Joseph; Ambassador Bayo Ayeni , Dr.(Mrs) Funke Adebajo, and several  distinguished Ekiti citizens, IGBIMO, from its published statements, ‘is open to all qualified Ekiti indigenes who imbibe the core values of the Ekiti people, including dignity, reliability and integrity; who are committed to the development of the state;  understand their psyche and the need for reason, accommodation and patience in handling matters of mutual interest, who are passionate for results, but are not involved in partisan politics.  Proven leaders in their professions, businesses, vocations or community and who are socio-economically stable. “IGBIMO,” we are further told, “aims at bringing together people of impeccable integrity who are prepared to pool their resources towards re-establishing the state’s respectability, political stability, peace, progress and development.”

    I paraphrase below my reference to IGBIMO in my write-up on the occasion of Prince’s 71st birthday in 2011: “If there were an organisation oga would have wanted me enlisted in but which, however, proved impossible because of my not-so hidden involvement in political activities, it is IGBIMO.  I was obviously  one of the first people he discussed IGBIMO with and it is no self-glorification when I say that he was kind enough to ask me to do the draft of his speech at  the body’s inaugural meeting, before settling down to carve it in his inimitable  style.’

    So, to the meat of this entire article.

    If IGBIMO URE EKITI is all we have been told it is, and Prince, the founder is alive and kicking, aging more gracefully and the organisation waxing stronger, why is Ekiti in its present dire straits? What has the body done, or how does it intend to help the present government settle down to proper governance, now that the governor is no longer bogged down with any threats of impeachment?

    I would be the very first to admit that mediating the Ekiti conundrum is not the easiest thing on planet earth.  Many, including the respected Prince, are aware that in spite of my not being in governor Fayose’s political party, I contacted, in the heat of  his troubles with the G.19,  eighteen distinguished Ekiti non political icons, pleading with them to kindly intervene in what was obviously  a major blur on the state.  That effort led directly to Chief Deji Fasuan calling a joint meeting of Ekiti Elders and the rump of the committee for the creation of Ekiti. Unfortunately, like the one at the instance of Aare Afe Babalola, it led nowhere. I subsequently took the matter up with Prince who then informed me that he had much earlier involved both Chief Olanipekun and Elder Adesina, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and two of those I had earlier contacted and discussed with severally by phone. Unfortunately, even after they had been promised a meeting with the two groups, nothing eventually came from their efforts.  My suggestion then which I once published on these pages, was that the House should drop all threats of impeachment in return for a guarantee by Fayose of an unfettered resumption of legislative duties and payment of   the legislators’ outstanding entitlements.  In addition,  fearing that the state  might graduate into an orgy of armed robbery and kidnapping, which has since happened, I suggested that all political thugs, especially the imported members of the Niger Delta volunteer force,  should be paid off  after all  the dangerous weapons shelled out to them must have been  meticulously withdrawn.

    So what now do I want Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi and URE to do?

    Effective 5th June, 2015, circumstances changed completely in Ekiti. As things stand in the state today, political contestation has literally receded into the doldrums since my party, the APC, would first have to sort out its own internal convulsions which, among other things, has enabled Fayose metamorphose into something of a conquistador.  That situation has been further accentuated by the fact that it does not appear there is anybody in the state today, whose word he respects or whose advice, he will readily take.  To further worsen matters, he equates the party in Ekiti; which reminds me of a PDP top shot,  indeed, a former LG Chairman in Ekiti, who walked up to me in church last Sunday and said: “Oga, you people should  get ready to receive  Fayose in the APC because we are going to run him out of our party”. I know that the governor and his aides will vigorously deny and denounce my conclusions here, the best they can.

    In my view, however, the time has come for a body of eminent personalities like URE to now seriously engage the governor to, at least, let him know the consequences of the prevailing state of affairs. I know from interactions with several Ekiti compatriots who no longer  dare  go home, and those  at home who can still whisper their honest feelings if there is no chance of their being overheard by Big Brother, that the state economy , already in the doldrums, is heading  into  more dire straits. Nor does any serious minded businessman any longer consider Ekiti worth visiting except he is a PDP member out to get some contract. My plea is that URE should, on this glorious occasion of its founder’s birthday, decide to meet with Governor Fayose and advise him to deliberately reduce the prevailing tension and fashion out a genuinely people-friendly mode of governance. It is not enough for Okada riders to claim they are in Eldorado. That chimera does not a state make. He must change course and become everybody’s governor. The only time I saw him at his first coming as governor, was when he visited Ekitis resident in Lagos. He could very well go on such trips again and  reassure citizens outside the state of their security  whenever they visit,  rather than  this seeming  eagerness to act  as  PDP’s  national leader. He needs Ekitis everywhere to come help him out of the present miasma.  I know from discussions with those who should know, that Governor Fayose holds Oga Juli, Wole, and Dele in very high regards. These three could be in an IGBIMO delegation of about five or six persons to seriously engage him on the way forward.

    Happily, the next election is a long way away.  He should therefore be able to see that their effort is beyond politics.

    Here is wishing our delectable Prince many happy returns.