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Tag: Fayemi

  • Fayemi, Oni, Ojudu, Oluyede sad

    Fayemi, Oni, Ojudu, Oluyede sad

    MINISTER of Mines and Steel Development Kayode Fayemi and a presidential aide, Senator Femi Ojudu, have commiserated with the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the death of his first son, Jide.

    APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Segun Oni and a governorship aspirant in the party in Ekiti State, Dr. Wole Oluyede, also expressed their condolences on the death of Tinubu’s son.

    Fayemi in a statement by his media aide, Olayinka Oyebode, expressed shock over the sudden death of Jide, describing the development as “extremely sad and disheartening”.

    He urged the APC leader and the entire family to remain strong during this trying time, while praying that God would heal the wound.

    Ojudu said: “I received with shock and great sadness earlier today the news of the demise of Mr. Jide Tinubu, the son of our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “My heart and prayers are with Asiwaju and his family at this time of grief. May the soul of Mr. Jide Tinubu rest in perfect peace. Amen.”

    Oni, in a statement by his media aide, Steve Alabi, in Ado-Ekiti said: “I received the sad news of the death of Jide Tinubu, the son of our National Leader, Senator Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, “with great shock and grief”.

    “I condole with our National Leader and former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the entire family, it is never easy losing a child or any loved one.

    “We pray Almighty Allah (SWT) grant the late Jide eternal rest.”

    Oluyede, in a statement from his campaign organization, urged Asiwaju Tinubu to take heart on the death of his beloved son, saying “all Nigerians are sharing this moment of grief with the political icon”.

    The APC aspirant on behalf of his family offered condolences to the Tinubu family on the sad development.

  • Fayemi, Oni: report a joke

    Fayemi, Oni: report a joke

    Former Ekiti State Governors Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi yesterday said the Assembly’s adoption of a report from the Office of Auditor-General is a joke.

    Fayemi, who spoke through his media aide, Olayinka Oyebode, described the Ekiti lawmakers as “a bunch of jokers who should not be taken serious”.

    He said: “What they have done is not worth responding to because they are a bunch of jokers.”

    Oni, who also spoke through his media aide, Ayo Akinyemi, said Governor Ayo Fayose, who he described as the “unseen hand” in the legislators’ action, was jittery about his (Oni’s) popularity.

    He said: “What Fayose is doing is political; he has seen the strength and popularity of Oni and that is why he is running from pillar to post to cast aspersion on his integrity.

    “Oni left government in 2010 and we are in 2017, a period of seven years. The ploy is to vilify and blackmail opposition candidates who can upstage Fayose.

    “Ordinarily, we would have ignored him, but we want to challenge him and his lackeys in the House of Assembly to lay the facts in public domain.

    “Let them identify the people in particular who donated the $4,500 and the exact project to which it was tied. The position of oga (Oni) is that anybody with allegations against him should swear to an affidavit.”

  • Ekiti 2018: Will Fayemi run?

    Ekiti 2018: Will Fayemi run?

    Many partisan groups have been urging Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development Dr. Kayode Fayemi to run for governor of Ekiti State. To them, the entry of the former governor into the race will alter geo-political calculations and rekindle a fierce battle between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Fountain of Knowledge. EMMANUEL OLADESU reports.

    Many indigenes still remember the Fayemi years with fondness in Ekiti State. Although he failed to secure a second term in the 2014 poll, his legacies are evergreen. Party chieftains may have faulted his style of party management, his achievements speak for him. It is therefore, not beyond expectation that many leaders, individuals and groups are rooting for his second coming.

    No fewer than 50 governorship aspirants are scrambling for the APC ticket in Ekiti. They include former Governor Olusegun Oni, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator Gbenga Aluko, Hon. Femi Bamisile, Isola Fapounda, Bimbo Daramla, Dr. Wole Oluleye, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua and Hon. Dele Faparusi. However, in the past few weeks, some groups have been urging Fayemi to join the race. The former governor is still largely perceived as one of the arrow heads of the party. In fact, it is generally believed that Ekiti APC has three leaders-Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Oni and Fayemi. Already, Oni has thrown his hat in the ring. If Fayemi joins the race, the buck of leadership will now stop at Adebayo’s table. However, the former governor is silent on his next step.

    Fayemi has spoken of an unfinished business in Ekitiland. The remark has been given two interpretations. Many felt that he was ousted from power in a controversial election, judging by the post-election confession of soldiers who alleged connivance among top PDP leaders and security chiefs in the power shift plot. The other interpretation is that the former governor is entitled to a second term, if given the ticket. A source said the on-going probe of his administration by a panel is part of the agenda by the ruling party to thrown obstacle on his way, if he signifies his intention to run.

    Fayemi is a household name, not only in Ekiti, but also in Nigeria. Apart from serving the state creditably, he is also an asset to the APC. As a founding member of the party, he presided over its presidential nominations in Lagos. As a minister, he has been up and doing, traversing the country to establish the non-oil sector as another income-yielding sector in the country’s bid for economic diversification.  A party source said if Fayemi had joined the race, many aspirants would not have shown interest because he commands their loyalty.

    But, it is a most challenging time in Ekiti. The APC appears to be a divided party in the state. The activities of the contenders may have further polarised the platform. Also, some politicians have introduced zoning, which ordinarily has no basis in Ekiti politics, thereby creating a gulf between aspirants from the South Senatorial District and their counterparts in the Central and North.

    In 2006/2007, Fayemi did not vie out of his own violation. He was raised as an aspirant in the image of his leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The former governor of Lagos State rallied the party machinery behind him. At the primary, he defected other formidable rivals, including Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Ayo Arise and Paul Alabi. A post-primary crisis engulfed the party, leading to the defection of many progressive politicians to the PDP.

    Although Fayemi won the election, Oni was declared winner by the electoral commission. Tinubu threw his weight behind Fayemi during the protracted litigation. Later, he retrieved his stolen mandate at the Court of Appeal. However, between 2010 and 2014, a sort of gulf was said to have developed between the godfather and the godson. Indeed, during the ministerial nominations in 2015, Fayemi’s name was conspicuously absent from the list recommended by the ‘APC National Leader.’ Analysts have highlighted some of the factors that led to Fayemi’s failed second term bid. Sources said key chieftains were aggrieved about his style. Among them was Opeyemi Bamidele, who temporarily left for the Labour Party (LP). Others said the scholar and pro-democracy activist-turned politician was arrogant. But, the defunct Ekiti Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)’s crisis resolution mechanism was also weak. Once there was conflict, reconciliation was difficult, if not impossible. Although observers have said the 2014 poll was not devoid of foul play, it was evident ACN went into the exercise as a divided house.

    After the poll, Fayemi conceded defeat, until the confession of the soldier on electoral duty fueled the rigging controversy. But, party chieftains also started to trade blames. The party was polarised into four camps. The blocs were led by Fayemi (Isan Group), Ojudu, Bamidele and Oni, who defected from the PDP to become the APC National Deputy Chairman. The chairman of the party, Chief Jide Awe, fled the state for fear of persecution by the ruling party. The camps, sources said, started working at cross purpose as they gazed at 2018.

    However, the rival camps have not been able to edge Fayemi out of his leadership role. He is a busy minister. But, he is also in touch with home. The former governor had wanted to unite the camps through the regular meetings he initiated, but some leaders have refused to cooperate with him. Today, he is the link between the Federal Government and Ekiti State. He is a trusted minister of government, held in esteem by the president. Almost all the federal appointments by President Buhari from Ekiti, except those of Ojudu, the presidential political adviser, and Emmanuel Adesoye of the Board of Ports Authority, had his blessings. Fayemi has attracted Federal Government’s presence to his far-flung state. Through his efforts, it appears that Ekiti will now be included in the Western Standard Gauge Rail Line. He will also take the credit for the construction of the Federal Secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.  Following his complaints to the National Emergency management Agency (NEMA), the agency has sent relief materials to victims of floods in Ekiti.

    A credible source said Fayemi is interested in returning to the familiar terrain, but it is not a do or die affair. “The minister is holding forte in an important ministry. He is busy laying a solid foundation for the ministry in terms of creating a road map, solid minerals development, creating a synergy among the federal, state and host communities. He cannot resign abruptly to pursue a governorship ambition. It is a matter he has to discuss privately with the president before he dumps his portfolio for the governorship ambition,” he said.

    According to the source, “it is not proper for the minister to no go and inform the president that he has a governorship ambition in Ekiti State as soon as the president returned from his medical vacation. The proper thing is to allow him to settle down, give an account of his stewardship and set a date for disengagement. If he does not obtain a clearance from the president, he cannot return to Ekiti.”

    If Fayemi declares his ambition, the atmosphere of contest may change. The race may be narrowed down to him, Oni and Aluko, who may lean on zoning. But, zoning has never shaped the governorship race in Ekiti, except that it may now become a strong factor, following the strategic decision of Governor Ayodele Fayose to endorse his deputy, Prof. Olusola Eleka, from the South. Olusola is also expected to pick his running mate from Ado-Ekiti.

    APC governors; two from the Southwest-Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun and Rotimi Akeredolu(SAN) of Ondo-their northern counterparts and some ministers may build a wall of goodwill and solidarity around Fayemi during the preparations for the primary. Many of them want him to return to the Ekiti Government House to resume his unfinished business. But, since charity begins from home, the onus is on him to unite the party and rally its key chieftains, if he will run. It is most likely that some contenders may withdraw from the race, if he unfolds his agenda.

    If Fayemi does not run, who will he back? At the primary, he cannot be neutral. Will the former governor back Oni, from who he retrieved his stolen mandate in 2010? Will he back Ojudu, who appears not to be on the same page with him? Or Bamidele who fought him with the LP arrow? Will he endorse zoning by supporting an aspirant from the South?

     

  • Ekiti 2018 and Fayemi

    As the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) formally released timetable for the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti State, tongues are beginning to wag in which direction the pendulum will swing in the state. Although no fewer than 40 aspirants, including prominent names like former Governor Segun Oni, Senators Babafemi Ojudu and Gbenga Aluko, have emerged on the scene, the big conundrum on the horizon in APC is whether the immediate past governor of the state and current Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, is going to throw his hat in the gubernatorial ring.

    While it is not clear if Fayemi is keen to do so having spoken about the unfinished business of the 2014 election in the state (in reference to the criminal role of security agencies in that election) and the determined effort of his party to seek judicial review of what has become popularly known as EkitiGate, there is a growing campaign on the part of some of his loyalists that regardless of the outcome of the judicial review, Ekiti needs him to return to rescue her from years of ruin, pillage and pestilence. Even at that, opinion remains divided among political pundits between those who favour his return, as the most prominent and visible politician in APC who has been uncompromising in his opposition to the PDP juggernaut in the state, and the one capable of rallying both local and national support to rout Fayose and those who believe he should stay above the fray and help to determine who gets the APC ticket in the state.

    As someone who does not see politics as a ‘do or die’ affair, it is difficult to discern any burning ambition in the minister. Many remember with admiration how he conceded defeat in the controversial 2014 election in a manner atypical of an average Nigerian politician. Every time he is asked the million dollar question as to whether he plans to return to Ekiti, he has always insisted that he has a job courtesy of the President’s good gesture and he is committed to the success of the Buhari administration. He remains one of the most trusted “Buharists” from the South-west zone and it is almost certain that if the President is positive about him running as part of a bigger picture in the 2019 plans, he will do it. Equally, if the President says that he still needs him in Abuja – as part of plans to consolidate the Buhari administration, it is difficult to see him do otherwise.

    There is of course little doubt that he clearly has a pride of place in President Buhari’s heart ever since he conducted the well regarded December 2014 Presidential primaries that gave candidate Buhari the APC ticket. And since his appointment as a Minister against all the odds, he appears to have remained strongly in the good books of his boss.

    To confirm his pride of place in President Buhari’s heart, virtually every federal appointment from his state has been ceded to him. In fact, only two appointments from Ekiti appeared not to have had his imprimatur – that of the Political Adviser to the President in the office of the Vice President, Senator Babafemi Ojudu and the Chairman of the Board of Nigeria Ports Authority – Emmanuel Adesoye. Apart from Lagos and Ogun States, Ekiti boasts of the highest number of appointees from the South West so far.

    Beyond this, he has also used his position in government to gain concession for the inclusion of Ekiti State into the Western Standard Gauge Rail Line and also attracted the construction of the Federal Secretariat in Ado Ekiti. Only recently too, he facilitated relief materials for flood victims in the state through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). This is in addition to other Ekiti sons and daughters he has assisted with employment in various institutions of state.

    His involvement in promoting the Buhari brand in the political realm has not deterred him from expanding the importance of a hitherto redundant solid minerals sector in the nation’s economy. Since assuming duty in November 2015, he has worked so hard to re-position the sector and use it as a vehicle for President Buhari’s diversification agenda. Some of his achievements include the new roadmap for the sector, enhanced geological data, increased revenue generation, financial support for artisanal and small scale miners, improved cooperation between the federal government, states and host communities in mineral resources development, improved transparency in the sector and a determined enforcement of the laws and regulations undergirding the sector, thus improving investor confidence.

    He has also been very supportive in the President’s foreign policy agenda, helping with the campaigns of Nigeria’s candidates for key positions in international organisations and also with the President’s programmes in the annual United Nations’ General Assembly amongst other mostly unreported assignments. His commitment to the success of the Buhari administration is a matter beyond debate and his optimism that the administration will laugh last is infectious even if it runs counter to the feelings on the opposing side.

    Although his focus has often been party unity and effective mobilization of party members in Ekiti State ever since he left office, Ekiti APC has not been immune to internal challenges. This probably informed the minister’s regular convening of quarterly meetings of Ward, LGA and State executives of the party since December 2015 barely a month after assuming duties as the minister representing Ekiti and these meetings have been held consistently. The last edition took place a couple of weeks ago at his Isan Ekiti country home. At the September meeting, he was reported to have reiterated his well-known position on party unity and commended those who have expressed interest in running for office as great mobilisers that have kept the spirit of party and members alive. Many had predicted that he was going to use the September 30 meeting to announce his interest in the race, but this did not happen even as some followers openly demanded for this.

    This uncertainty on whether he will run or not has thrown many into confusion even as the ruling party has gone ahead to announce Dr Olusola Eleka, currently the deputy governor, as its candidate for the 2018 governorship election. Yet if there is one candidate the incumbent governor seems mortally afraid of contemplating as the flagbearer of the APC and eventual successor, it is the Fayemi. This seemed to have informed every effort to nail him via petitions to EFCC and the setting up of a hurried judicial commission of inquiry in the state. Unfortunately for Governor Fayose, many of the claims taken before the EFCC and the judicial panelanel in the state appear to have been dead on arrival. For example, the claim that Fayemi stole N852million SUBEB fund had been debunked by Access Bank that provided the counterpart fund. The Ado Ekiti Manager of the bank testifying before the Panel of Inquiry confirmed that the bank recalled the money when there was no agreement with the Fayose administration on the terms and conditions of the loan. An investigation panel set up by Governor Fayose and chaired by the retired Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ademola Ajakaiye also absolved Fayemi of any malfeasance on SUBEB funds. Equally, the claim that he misappropriated the N25 billion bond taken by his administration for infrastructure development has proved to be a red herring given the physical evidence of the various projects and the independently audited evidence of judicious utilization of the resources obtained.

    With the INEC timetable released, it would not be long before the conundrum in the state is resolved. Inevitably, Fayemi will have to express the intention, if he has any, within the timeframe stipulated by INEC. Whether he runs or not, it is clear the last has not been heard of this urbane intellectual who sees politics and leadership as service and sacrifice, not ambition and opportunism.

     

    • Ibiloye, a public affairs analyst, writes from Ado-Ekiti.
  • Fayemi treated us better than Fayose, say workers

    Fayemi treated us better than Fayose, say workers

    Civil servants in Ekiti State have said they enjoyed a better welfare package and standard of living under former Governor Kayode Fayemi than incumbent Governor Ayo Fayose is giving them.

    The workers, under the aegis of the Enlightened Workers Forum (EWF), slammed labour leaders for being in “unholy alliance” with Fayose.

    They said this had denied them their rights and made them poorer.

    EWF Coordinator Mike Bamidele, who spoke yesterday on a Yoruba current affairs programme, Isejoba Rere, on Radio Nigeria’s Progress 100.5 FM, said workers enjoyed salary increment four times during the four-year administration of Fayemi.

    Bamidele said the former governor approved Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Workers Salary Scale (CONHESS), relativity salary increase from N9,250 to N13,000 across board and Federal Government approved National Minimum Wage in which the least paid worker in Ekiti got N19,300.

    He credited Fayemi with increment of pension of permanent secretaries, who retired in 1999 before the minimum wage and relativity, to N200,000, in line with economic realities.

    According to him, it is ironic that the same workers are owed salary arrears of between six to nine months, with the organised labour unable to fight for their welfare.

    Bamidele expressed dismay that the state failed to defray arrears owed its workers, despite various financial lifelines received from the Federal Government, including bailout funds, Paris Club refund and Budget Support Fund.

    He said: “Many families now eat once a day, owing to non-payment of salaries. In fact, a Level 12 officer committed suicide because of frustration arising from non-payment of salaries. This has not happened in the history of our state.

  • Fayemi urged to join Ekiti guber race

    An interest group, Just Keep Following Group (JKFG), has launched a campaign to convince the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to join the 2018 governorship race in Ekiti State. The group inaugurated its local government chapters at a ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, with a mandate to go to the grassroots to mobilise support for Fayemi’s entry into the race.

    Speaking at the event, JKFG State Coordinator, Comrade Bisi Dada, said the group has conducted a field survey and got positive responses from the people about the possible candidature of Fayemi at the 2018 poll. Dada said Fayemi’s four-year tenure was unprecedented in the history of the state in terms of human development, landmark projects, good governance and positive image for the state.

    He said the group is working to lure Fayemi into the governorship race because of the belief that he can win the election based on his track record in governance which boosted standard of living of the people during his term.

    “We went out to many towns and communities distributing leaflets, stickers and also educating people on the good legacies of Dr. Fayemi. We are encouraged by the responses of Ekiti people most especially the civil servants who made photocopies of our leaflets and distributed same among their colleagues. This is encouraging. Stickers were distributed to Okada riders, drivers’ unions and members of the public at large,” he added.

    “Comparing his government with the present government in Ekiti today is like comparing light with darkness. In fact, we have lost an angel in Ekiti and the we are working hard to bring him back with the opportunity offered by the 2018 governorship election,” he added.

     

  • ‘Fayemi govt terminated 71 contracts, 55 reviewed’

    ‘Fayemi govt terminated 71 contracts, 55 reviewed’

    A witness, Mr. Adedayo Ajobiewe, has told the Judicial Commission of Enquiry probing the management of Ekiti State’s finances between October 2010 and October 2014 that 71 contracts were terminated under former Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration.

    Ajobiewe, who is the director of Cabinet Matters at the Special Services Department in the Governor’s Office, spoke yesterday when he appeared before the seven-member jury.

    The director said 55 contracts were either varied or reviewed within the period.

    The witness, who was led in evidence by the lawyer to the commission, Mr. Sunday Bamise, tendered 12 exhibits admitted in evidence, and read parts of his statement on oath.

    Ajobiewe recalled that within the period under review, the state’s Tenders Board approved 1,035 briefs, including 909 contracts, with 71 of them terminated and 55 varied or reviewed.

    Giving a breakdown of the terminated contracts, the director said 17 of them were terminated in 2010, 21 in 2011, 11 in 2012, six in 2013 and 16 in 2014.

    The witness said 22 contracts were either varied or reviewed in 2010, nine in 2011, six in 2012, eight in 2013 and 10 in 2014.

    Answering questions from a member of the panel, Mr. Idowu Ayenimo, a chief magistrate, Ajobiewe, said contracts could be terminated for various reasons, depending on prevailing circumstances.

    He said: “There are some reasons for terminating contracts: it may be because the contractor does a shoddy job or if a contractor abandons the project.

    “If this happens, a joint measurement will be carried out by the representatives of the contractors, the Bureau of Public Projects and the client ministries. Our office only approves.

    “When a joint measurement is done, a legal advice will be sought from the Ministry of Justice. My office plays no role in the variation of contracts; the state’s Tenders Board approves variations done by client ministries.”

    After Ajobiewe was discharged from the witness box, the Chairman, Justice Silas Oyewole, said the panel, as part of its brief, will today embark on a fact-finding visit to projects executed during the Fayemi administration.

  • ‘Fayemi govt terminated 71 contracts, 55 reviewed’

    ‘Fayemi govt terminated 71 contracts, 55 reviewed’

    A witness, Mr. Adedayo Ajobiewe, has told the Judicial Commission of Enquiry probing the management of Ekiti State’s finances between October 2010 and October 2014 that 71 contracts were terminated under former Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration.

    Ajobiewe, who is the director of Cabinet Matters at the Special Services Department in the Governor’s Office, spoke yesterday when he appeared before the seven-member jury.

    The director said 55 contracts were either varied or reviewed within the period.

    The witness, who was led in evidence by the lawyer to the commission, Mr. Sunday Bamise, tendered 12 exhibits admitted in evidence, and read parts of his statement on oath.

    Ajobiewe recalled that within the period under review, the state’s Tenders Board approved 1,035 briefs, including 909 contracts, with 71 of them terminated and 55 varied or reviewed.

    Giving a breakdown of the terminated contracts, the director said 17 of them were terminated in 2010, 21 in 2011, 11 in 2012, six in 2013 and 16 in 2014.

    The witness said 22 contracts were either varied or reviewed in 2010, nine in 2011, six in 2012, eight in 2013 and 10 in 2014.

    Answering questions from a member of the panel, Mr. Idowu Ayenimo, a chief magistrate, Ajobiewe, said contracts could be terminated for various reasons, depending on prevailing circumstances.

    He said: “There are some reasons for terminating contracts: it may be because the contractor does a shoddy job or if a contractor abandons the project.

    “If this happens, a joint measurement will be carried out by the representatives of the contractors, the Bureau of Public Projects and the client ministries. Our office only approves.

    “When a joint measurement is done, a legal advice will be sought from the Ministry of Justice. My office plays no role in the variation of contracts; the state’s Tenders Board approves variations done by client ministries.”

    After Ajobiewe was discharged from the witness box, the Chairman, Justice Silas Oyewole, said the panel, as part of its brief, will today embark on a fact-finding visit to projects executed during the Fayemi administration.

  • Oni, Fayemi to Muslims: imbibe virtues of love

    Former Ekiti State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Chief Segun Oni and Minister of Mines and Steel Development Dr. Kayode Fayemi have called on Muslim faithful and Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of love, tolerance and harmony as advocated by the teaching of Prophet Muhammed.

    Oni, in a statement signed by the Director, Media and Publicity of Segun Oni Campaign Organisation, Mr. Steve Alabi in Ado-Ekiti, said the celebration offered Nigerians a chance to show love to one another and strengthen the bonds of nationhood.

    He said the teachings of the Holy Prophet should serve as a guide to step out of the economic recession.

    The governorship aspirant urged Muslims to continue to uphold Nigeria in their prayers, noting that Nigeria needed prayers now more than ever before.

    Fayemi urged Muslims to continue to uphold the lessons of love, loyalty and sacrifice, which are the hallmarks of the festival.

    The minister, in a goodwill message signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said the Eid el-Kabir festival offers another opportunity for sober reflection, soul searching and spiritual renewal, which Allah demands from the faithful.

    He advised that the lessons of sacrifice and loyalty, which Eid-el-Kabir teaches should not be lost to the pomp and ceremony that accompany the festival.

     

     

  • Fayemi didn’t embezzle N852m SUBEB fund, says panel

    Fayemi didn’t embezzle N852m SUBEB fund, says panel

    THE report of a five-man panel set up by Governor Ayo Fayose to probe N852 million 2012 UBEC/SUBEB counterpart fund has said former Governor Kayode Fayemi did not embezzle the cash as alleged by Fayose.

    The cash, the panel said in its December 3, 2015, report, was withdrawn from State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) account by Access Bank in Ado-Ekiti because “the last (Fayemi) administration did not perfect the loan agreements…

    The panel has former Ekiti State Chief Judge Oba Ademola Ajakaiye as chairman, and SUBEB Chairman Bode Ola as secretary.

    Other members are former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Owoseni Ajayi; Accountant General Mrs O.O. Owolabi; Deputy Director, Physical Planning Unit, SUBEB, Ehinafe Olakunle (now late), Dapo Akinyemi and B.J. Ogundare.

    It was gathered the bank agreed to grant the Fayemi administration the facility after the June 21, 2014, governorship election but Fayose as governor-elect warned the bank against granting the facility.

    The bank deferred to the governor-elect (Fayose) and the cash was returned to the vault in a bid to ensure a smooth business relationship with him.

    Fayose accused Fayemi, who is Minister of Mines and Steel Development, of looting the funds, claiming the development denied the state of counterpart funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to execute projects in schools.

    The House of Assembly summoned the minister, who declined the invitation, saying details on the funds were in his handover note.

    It later empowered Fayose to raise a judicial panel  to probe the state finances between October 2010 and October 2014. The panel, led by former Acting Chief Judge, Justice Silas Oyewole (retd.) is investigating Fayemi’s tenure.

    Oba Ajakaiye panel had its first meeting on September 3, 2015, and finally on November 30, 2015

    In its findings, the panel said: “The last administration sought a loan facility to pay the 2012 counterpart fund from Access Bank Plc, Ado-Ekiti branch. About N852,936,793.12k was granted and same was lodged into SUBEB Account No: 0065385694 on November 25, 2013.

    “The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) on January 3, 2014, released 2012 Matching Grant of N852,936,793.12k to SUBEB during the tenure of Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    “After following the necessary due process, the Ekiti SUBEB awarded contracts based on the total sum of N1,705,872.24k (i.e. the matching grant and the state counterpart fund). The projects have been executed to 55 per cent completion.

    “In October 2014, Access Bank Plc, Ado-Ekiti branch, withdrew the loan from SUBEB Account No: 0065385694, because the last administration did not perfect the loan agreements by not agreed interest rate and providing Irrevocable Standard Payment Order for the loan.”

    The panel, in its recommendations, said: “In view of the present financial situation of the state, the state government should specifically request/appeal to UBEC to set aside the payment of 2012 Counterpart Fund  to enable Ekiti SUBEB move forward in project implementation.

    “The state government should seek special favour from UBEC and source the 2013 counterpart fund of N1,030,797,297.30 so that SUBEB can access the FGN/UBEC matching grants for the period.

    “The state government should perfect all loan agreements with regard to the implementation of UBEC/SUBEB projects.”