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Tag: Fasanmi

  • 2019: Fasanmi to convene Yoruba leaders’ meeting

    Ahead of next year’s general elections, a Second Republic senator and National Leader of Pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Fasanmi, has promised to convene a meeting of Yoruba leaders.

    The meeting, he said, will discuss the need for the Southwest to forge a common front and plan how to put the interest of the race in proper perspective.

    Notable leaders of the Yoruba, including all Southwest governors, traditional rulers and politicians, are expected to attend the meeting.

    The convocation of the meeting was made known when leaders of Afenifere in Ekiti State visited Fasanmi at his home in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, where they reviewed happenings in Nigeria and national issues that affect the Southwest.

    The visiting Afenifere chieftains also discussed the need for Yoruba leaders to put their house in order and avoid jeopardising the interest of the race in the national polity.

    Following the visit, a communique was issued.

    It was signed by the Chairman of the Afenifere in Ekiti State, Elder Yemi Alade, the Women Leader, Mrs. Monisola Oloro (née Fayemi), and its Publicity Secretary, Chief Biodun Akin-Fasae.

    The communique hailed Southwest governors for their “unceasing commitment” to the welfare of the people.

    It praised President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for “bringing the nation back on its feet and back from the brink of bankruptcy economically and morally”.

    Afenifere acknowledged their efforts at laying a solid foundation for the development of the nation in all sectors of the economy.

    The group commiserated with foremost Afenifere leader, Senator Biyi Durojaye, who recently lost two daughters.

  • Stop speaking for Yoruba, Fasanmi tells Fasoranti

    A national leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, The Afenifere, Pa Senator Ayo Fasanmi, has faulted a recent statement credited to the Chief Reuben Fasoranti-led faction of the organisation for suspending former Osun State Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore because he worked for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    The 93-year-old nationalist and the oldest survivor of the Chief Obafemi Awolowo political legacy noted that the action was the most embarrassing by anyone or group since the death of the sage.

    Pa Fasanmi said it was laughable and disappointing for anyone to desecrate the hallowed name of the late Awolowo with conservative political tendency, as espoused by the Fasoranti and Ayo Adebanjo group.

    According to him, the Afenifere chieftains crossed the red line with their actions.

    He said the spirit of Awolowo would not forgive whoever bastardises the legacies he fought for all his life.

    Pa Fasanmi, who was a member of the House of Representatives in 1964/’66 and a senator in 1979/’83, stressed that the Fasoranti/Adebanjo group should henceforth stop talking on behalf of the Yoruba race.

    The nonagenarian said that they had derailed.

    He advised them not to put the Yoruba race on sale.

    Pa Fasanmi said the Yoruba race is comfortable with the progressives, as being represented by the APC, where the Yoruba are having the chunk of appointments, which had never happened, even when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was President.

    The elder statesman wondered what Afenifere wanted by its anti-Muhammadu Buhari posture “except they want to tell us they are now against Chief Awolowo’s legacies, which the Yoruba are still proud to associate with and through which many are still winning elections”.

    A statement yesterday by the Publicity Secretary of Ekiti State chapter of Afenifere, Biodun Akin-Fasae, said: “Anyway, many of those working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) within Afenifere never stood for any elections all through their political life.

    “Pa Fasanmi congratulated Prince Dayo Adeyeye and Chief Iyiola Omisore on their return to the progressives. He wished them well.”

  • Fayemi’s second coming dawn of a new era, says Fasanmi

    Elder statesman, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, has said the election of Dr. Kayode Fayemi as governor of Ekiti State for the second time is the dawn of a new era.

    He said the new era would herald peace, progress and prosperity across the state.

    In a statement on his behalf by his Personal Assistant (PA), Adebayo Temitope, the elder statesman, who hails from Ekiti, noted that from all indications, Dr. Fayemi’s second coming would mark “the end of an era political darkness”.

    Fasanmi said the massive votes, which Fayemi, who is to be inaugurated today, garnered in the July 14, 2014 election, showed the love Ekiti people have for his progressive governance.

    “I pray that Kayode be guided by the wisdom of God in his second attempt to govern the state,” he added.

  • Fasanmi canvasses support for Oyetola

    Afenifere chieftain Senator Ayo Fasanmi has urged the people of Osun State to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, to ensure continuity in governance.

    Fasanmi said now that Governor Rauf Aregbesola has laid a good foundation for Osun State, the people should cast their votes for the APC candidate.

    He cited Lagos State as an example where continuity in governance has paid off. According to him, the foundation of developments taking place in Lagos today was laid by the former governor, Senator Bola Tinubu.

    “Now that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has laid a good foundation for Osun, which his successor will follow, the best way to appreciate the good work he has done is to cat our votes for the progressive governance”.

    He advised the government to address the problems of workers. “Our governor is a man of the people. I know he would not let the people of Osun down. Our candidate, Gboyega, is a gentle man indeed. I have the confidence that he will perform and do better.”

    The elder statesman urged the people to allow peace to reign before, during and after the July 22 governorship election.

     

  • Fasanmi: stop being unfair to Buhari

    Afenifere leader Senator Ayo Fasanmi has warned Yoruba groups to desist from undue criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He noted that Southwest has benefited from his administration.

    Reacting to strident criticisms by some factional Afenifere leaders, Fasanmi noted that such critics only chose not to see anything good in the Buhari administration.

    He said those making such comments were unfair to the President.

    Fasanmi condemned those saying Buhari is too old to seek re-election, stressing that the President is still strong to continue in office.

    In a statement yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, the nonagenarian described the claim that President Buhari is old and weak as “mere emotion that has no relevance in the present Nigeria’s political situations”.

    He said: “Let me warn some so-called Yoruba groups to desist from the attempt to draft the Yoruba race into unwelcome national opposition and negative narratives on national events by their destructive criticism of President Buhari.

    “It has come to our notice that certain groups have appointed themselves as opposition spokesmen on behalf of the Yoruba nation, as if they were elected to do so. This is not the right thing to do.

    “How can a group decide never to see anything good in this government? How can a group decide to pit the Yoruba against a government that has its son as Number Two?

    “President Buhari should be eulogised for fulfilling his campaign promises with particular references to critical sectors, like security, war against corruption and the economy.

    “He has even done much more, particularly in global politics. Nigeria is no more a pariah and a disdained nation where people think a President can be derogated by a few to make him lose an election.”

    The Second Republic senator argued that some young politicians elected to higher positions disappointed the people through their insatiable appetite for money.

    Fasanmi added: “On the issue of his (President’s) age, as being canvassed by some groups, that President Buhari should not re-contest, many elderly people are leaders of their countries, such as the United States. Though Buhari has advanced in age, he is still capable and agile to lead Nigeria.

    “Many younger people have led this country in the past, yet what is the result? To be old as a leader of government business should not be the issue, but whether or not such a person is delivering the expected services.

    “I, therefore, advise the Yoruba nation to seek more relevance with the national government for more infrastructural intervention, more so our sons and daughters are placed in critical positions in the Buhari administration.”

    He hailed former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as well as Chief Bisi Akande, and Otunba Niyi Adebayo for their leadership roles in making the Yoruba more relevant and acceptable in the Buhari administration.

  • Fasanmi, Mamora, Olukotun greet Fayemi

    Some Nigerians have hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for peaceful conduct of Ekiti governorship election, which had been adjudged by local and international observers as free and fair.

    They also congratulated the winner, Dr.  Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

     

    Mamora: INEC, security  operatives, Ekiti people  deserve praise

     

    Former Deputy Senate Minority Leader Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora said the INEC, security operatives and the people of Ekiti State deserved commendation for a peaceful election.

    He said the comportment of the people before, during and after the election contributed immensely to the success of the exercise.

    Mamora was delighted that the victory of Fayemi had brought all the six states in the Southwest under APC.

    “With this development, the states will flock together. It will be very easy for us to work together within the ambit of the party programme. The Ekiti poll results had imbued more confidence in us to approach Osun governorship poll and the 2019 general elections”.

    He said Fayemi’s victory had proved that he was rigged out of the election in 2014; he had been vindicated by the result of the election. He advised Fayemi to identify his shortcomings during his first tenure and rectify them. He also advised the Governor-elect to make sure that all promises he made to the electorate were fulfilled; he should make peace with all the APC governorship aspirants to ensure the unity of the party and not to embark on vengeance mission.

    A well-deserved victory, says Fasanmi

     

    Afenifere chieftain Senator Ayo Fasanmi congratulated Fayemi for what he described as a well-deserved victory. He likened the re-election of Fayemi to a wise saying: “Truth crushed to heart shall rise again.”

    Fasanmi said all hands should be on deck for rescue operation in order to salvage Ekiti.

     

    Olukotun: victory  ‘ll galvanise APC to win Osun

    To Professor Ayo Olukotun, the APC had through its victory in Ekiti governorship poll signalled that it cannot be written off as far as 2019 is concerned. He said the victory would galvanise the party to win Osun which would confirm APC an electoral contender for 2019.

    Olukotun, who teaches Political Science at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, congratulated Fayemi and advised him to justify the confidence reposed on him by the Ekiti people by addressing serious and burning governance issues.

    He advised Fayemi to build an inclusive administrative structure; to hit the ground running because Ekiti is a broken state, it needs to be fixed.

     

    Ubani to Fayemi: meet voters’ aspiration

    Lawyer and civil right activist, Mr. Monday Ubani advised the governor-elect to ensure the aspiration and desire of the Ekiti people are met. He noted that a major reason why Governor Ayodele Fayose’s candidate lost was that he failed to pay workers’ salaries.

    Ubani said Fayemi has a lot to do in ensuring quality governance through provision of basic infrastructure for the people of Ekiti and regular payment of salaries and allowances of workers.

  • Dickson, Fasanmi, Ita-Giwa, ex-MOSOP leader, others hail Buhari on June 12

    BAYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson; Second Republic senator, Chief Ayo Fasanmi; former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Mrs Florence Ita-Giwa; former President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Comrade Ledum Mitee and labour leader Isa Aremu yesterday added their voices to the commendations that have trailed the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to declare June 12 as the nation’s Democracy Day.

    On different occasions yesterday, they commended the President not only for recognising the landmark that the June 12, 1993 presidential election represents for the country but also for honouring the acclaimed winner of the election, Chief MKO Abiola, with the highest national honour.

    In a statement issued in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital yesterday, Dickson commended President Muhammadu Buhari for immortalising Abiola, the winner of the presidential election.

    The governor said although the award was belated, the gesture would partly address the wrongs of the past and strengthen democracy, insisting that it was better late than never.

    But the governor called on President Buhari to declare Abiola as a President that was never sworn in and urgently sponsor an executive bill to the National Assembly in order to legitimise it.

    He said declaring June 12 as Democracy Day, giving national honour to Abiola’s running mate, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, as well as giving posthumous national awards to Abiola and the late legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, were in order.

    The governor, however, called on Buhari to show the same political will and patriotism on the critical issue of restructuring Nigeria.  He said the President should ensure that Nigeria is restructured with power devolved from the centre to the federating units and fiscal federalism enthroned to guarantee balance, peace, prosperity and stability in the country.

    He said a restructured Nigeria would address the dysfunctional system, over concentration of power at the centre, pseudo-federalism and the expropriation of the resources of the Niger Delta.

    While stressing that, those championing the cause of restructuring were the real patriots, the governor believed Buhari would etch his name on the sands of time and become “a Nigerian hero of all times if he restructures the country.”

    The governor  also urged the President to honour the then Chairman of National Electoral Commission (NEC), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu with a national award for his uncommon courage and commitment to the conduct of transparent elections in June, 1993, stressing that what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander.

    On her part, Ita-Giwa said with the development, democracy has been strengthened and entrenched in the country.

    “I look at it from the point of view of honouring people who put in efforts and those who lost their lives in ensuring the sustainability of democracy,” she said.  She said it was also a relief, especially for the family of the late Abiola, who must have carried the burden and anger for many years.

    Ita-Giwa said the declaration will give them more confidence in Nigeria.   Reacting to insinuations that it was a political move, she said: “In democracy, in my many years of experience, people would apply politics to things that are done devoid of political thinking.

    “For me it is a good thing to happen to this country.” Expressing support for the declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day, former President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Comrade Ledum Mitee, said the decision was worthwhile.

    In a telephone interview with one of our correspondents yesterday, Mitee lauded the change but added: “Beyond the pronouncement, the Federal Government should ensure it upholds the values of June 12, as the 2019 general election is coming.

    “What made June 12 remarkable is not the month and number but the values MKO Abiola held for the return of democracy and for free, fair and credible election.”

    He challenged the government at all levels to replicate the credibility and fairness in the forthcoming elections.  Second Republic senator, Chief Ayo Fasanmi, said the declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day was in order.

    He said: “What Mr. President did really made me happy because it is better late than never. “The 1993 presidential election was the best, freest and most transparent election in the history of Nigeria, and acknowledging that and declaring the day of the election as Democracy Day is worthwhile.”

    He said on the day of election, Nigerians from the North and South went ahead to do away with ethnic and religious sentiments and voted for Moshood Kashimawo Abiola and Baba Gana Kingigbe on Muslim-Muslim ticket.

    According to him, June 12 really brought all Nigerians together and the day that had provided a united front for the nation must be celebrated.  Labour leader, Comrade Issa Aremu, also hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for bestowing on the late Chief MKO Abiola Nigeria’s highest honour and making June 12 Democracy Day in place of May 29.

    Comrade Aremu who is a member of NLC NEC and General Secretary of the Textile Workers Union, said President Buhari has ensured democratic consolidation by posthumously honouring Chief Abiola, as long demanded by democratic forces.  Aremu added that by conferring Chief Abiola with GCFR, President Buhari had commendably rekindled faith in sustainability of democracy in Africa’s largest democracy.

    According to him, “The President gave the correct signal that never again would any group of people violate the mandate of Nigerian people through mandate annulment.

    He said: “President Buhari has brought integrity to governance by shunning the hypocrisy and shameless denials of past leaders of Nigeria that June 12 was truly a watershed in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria.

    “Labour agrees with the administration that June 12, 1993 was far more symbolic of democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29, as it was on June 12, 1993 that Nigerians in millions expressed their democratic will in what was undisputedly the freest, fairest and most peaceful elections since our independence.”

  • Southwest elders should wade into Oyo APC crisis, says Fasanmi

    Second Republic Senator Ayo Fasanmi yesterday urged Southwest All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders to resolve the crisis ravaging some of the chapters in the region before the preparations for next year’s elections.

    He said the surviving associates of the sage, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, were worried by the controversy over state congresses in Oyo State.

    According to him, these may undermine the chances of the party in future elections.

    Fasanmi, an APC elder, who spoke on phone, sought speedy resolution of the crisis in Oyo, Ondo and Lagos states, warning that delay could be dangerous.

    The elder statesman admonished the warring factions and groups in the state chapters to make sacrifice and promote peace in the interest of the party.

    Pa Fasanmi spoke on the heels of the rejection of the reconciliation proposed by Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi by party chieftains under the aegis of the Oyo APC Unity Forum.

    The Unity Forum, in a statement by its Secretary, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun,  attributed the crisis to Ajimobi, adding that he was paying a lip service to reconciliation.

    He said: “Governor Ajimobi is not known for keeping promises and the reconciliation effort will not yield any fruit. The political landscape of Oyo State and Ajimobi’s political career are littered with carcasses of victims of his deceit. His offer of reconciliation is a poisoned chalice that anyone will accept at his own peril. We reject it.”

    Olatunbosun added: “The governor will parade some men of shady character before his kangaroo reconciliation panel and call them members of the Unity Forum. Whoever buys that fraud does so at its own risk. The crisis in the party resulted from actions of the governor; they are undemocratic. The governor cannot, therefore, lead genuine reconciliation in the party…”

    Fasanmi said: “I am very worried and sad. I have invested all my life in the progressive camp. Those of us who were associates of Awolowo are sad. We should come together to discuss. The next election is critical. No election can be won on the platform of disunity and crass opportunism.”

    He added: “If we continue in this manner, it will be difficult to win the elections of 2019. We should come together. I am worried. In Lagos, Oyo and Ondo APC, there are crises. APC came together, not due to ideological similarity but the fight for federal power. We need to promote democracy in the party.”

  • Let’s rescue Ekiti from PDP, says Afenifere chieftain Fasanmi

    A Second Republic senator and Afenifere leader, Ayo Fasanmi, has called on all progressive minded people to collectively rescue Ekiti State from the grip of the People’s Democratic Party. He said the battle to rescue the state must not be left to the former governor of the state and Minister for Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, alone. Fasanmi, in a statement, enjoined the 33 aspirants, who contested the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s governorship ticket with Fayemi to be true and loyal party members “whose love for their native state and party cannot be compromised. ” He said: “I particularly like to commend the aspirants’ spirit in accepting the result of the primary election and the hand of fellowship from Kayode Fayemi by going to all the co-contestants’ houses to let them see the success as collective one.

    Thisnisbthe reason we must all rise to support his coming back. “Now that the primaries have come and gone, we must realize the success of Dr. Kayode Fayemi in the forthcoming election on 14th of July as a collective task, for every member of the APC. Our dear Ekiti State must revert to its original progressive state status. I applaud all the contestants for their passion and effort during the party primaries “I salute Chief Segun Oni for the kind of selfless service he has rendered as the party’s national deputy chairman and his faith in the party supremacy doctrine.

    I also commend the excellent work of Governror Al- Mukura and his committee that conducted the primaries. They showed commitment to the party and it’s democratic principles by ensuring the election was conducted fairly and openly. “Since the party in the state and at the national level have settled for Dr. Fayemi to be the flagbearer of the APP in Ekiti State, we must see his coming back as a rescue mission for the state. One of the reasons for which we must support his rescue mission for Ekiti State is the combination of his intellectual and democratic credentials.

  • Fasanmi calls for rescue of Ekiti from PDP

    A Second Republic senator and Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Fasanmi, has urged progressives to rescue Ekiti State from the grip of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said the battle to rescue the state must not be left for the former governor and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    In a statement, Fasanmi enjoined the 33 former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants to work with Fayemi.

    The Afenifere chieftain described the former aspirants as true and loyal party members “whose love for their native state and party cannot be compromised”.

    He added: “I particularly like to commend the aspirants’ spirit in accepting the result of the primary election and the hand of fellowship from Kayode Fayemi by going to all the co-contestants’ houses to let them see the success as collective. This is the reason we must all rise to support his coming back.

    “Now that the primaries have come and gone, we must realise the success of Dr. Fayemi in the forthcoming election on July 14 as a collective task for every member of the APC. Our dear Ekiti State must revert to its original ‘progressive state’ status. I applaud all the contestants for their passion and effort during the party primaries.

    “I salute Chief Segun Oni for the kind of selfless service he has rendered as the party’s National Deputy Chairman and his faith in the party’s supremacy doctrine. I also commend the excellent work of Nasarawa State Governor Umar Tanko Al-Mukura and his committee, which conducted the primaries. They showed commitment to the party and its democratic principles by ensuring the election was conducted fairly and openly.

    “Since the party in the state and at the national level has settled for Dr. Fayemi to be the flagbearer of the APC in Ekiti State, we must see his coming back as a rescue mission for the state. One of the reasons for which we must support his rescue mission for Ekiti State is the combination of his intellectual and democratic credentials.

    “Though he lost re-election in 2014 for political reasons, which are now clear to everybody in Ekiti State, his national service as a minister must have had positive impact on Ekiti. Our dear state has been known as progressive. This is a collective rescue mission and we must lead the state back to the fold of the progressive.”