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Tag: Fayose

  • 2019: Saraki visits Fayose, says democracy at crossroads

    •Urges PDP presidential aspirants to accept primary outcome

    Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday visited Ekiti State in continuation of nationwide consultations ahead of the presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He met with Governor Ayodele Fayose and other PDP delegates at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti to solicit their support at the October National Convention in Port Harcourt where the party’s presidential flag bearer will be elected.

    The presidential aspirant stressed that he possesses the qualities of the leader needed by Nigerians at this critical period of its history promising to give every Nigerian a sense of belonging.

    Saraki said Nigeria is at crossroads with its democracy endangered claiming that democracy would have collapsed but for the intervention of the National Assembly which he heads.

    The Senate boss pledged to accede to the demands of Nigerians for restructuring for the states in the federation to maximize their potentials.

    Saraki said: “We are at a cross road. We are seeing great danger with our democracy, that is why your state has had a terrible experience with the kind of democracy.

    “If not for what we have been doing at the NASS to sustain and protect the democracy, by now there will be nothing like democracy in Nigeria.

    “So, it is important that we look for a courageous and capable President that we can be proud of. A President that will ensure that we have true democracy.

    “Before now we have been voting based on sentiment, and ethnicity, so we need a leader that will allow you to reach your goal, it is time we restructure and have a state that would be able to maximise their potentials.”

    Fayose advised PDP presidential aspirants to accept the outcome of the party primary election slated for October 6, 2018 and work for the success of the party.

    The governor, who said that he was not supporting any particular aspirant, said he had cautioned his colleagues that they must allow the process to be credible.

    Fayose said: “Nigerians are waiting for PDP to liberate them and we must be united to be able to rescue them.”

    Threatening to back out of the primary election if the process is not credible, Fayose alleged that the future of the country had already been mortgaged.

    He added:  “Somebody should tell Buhari to please go home and rest. The last appointment President Buhari made into the Department of State Services (DSS) further confirmed that he is insensitive. He is supposed to be the President of Nigeria.

    “We never know we can get here. I am sure that you joined the APC because you thought that Nigeria will be better. Nigeria no longer have gear one to five, everything is now in reverse gear. ”

    On Saraki’s entourage are Director General of Campaign Council,

    Mohammed Wakil; Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi; Chairman, Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Duro Faseyi, among others.

     

  • N4.685b ONSA cash probe: EFCC tackles Fayose

    The Economic and Financial  Crimes Commission ( EFCC) yesterday gave Governor Ayodele Fayose a September 20 appointment over  the allegation of his involvement in a  N4.685billion fraud in the Office of National Security Adviser(ONSA).

    The EFCC’s letter was a response to Fayose’s letter of September 10, 2018 where he indicated his interest in appearing before the anti-graft agency on October 16 after he had completed his tenure.

    About N4.685billon was transferred by the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) to Sylva McNamara  Limited, a company linked with a former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro.

    Out of the sum, about  N3.880billion was allocated  to both Governor Ayodele Fayose and Senator Omisore through cash and bank transfers by Obanikoro.

    Omisore’s share was said to be about N1.7billion.

    The EFCC’s September 13 letter  to Fayose was written by the Director of Operations, Umar Mohammed.

    The letter said in part: “I write to refer to your letter dated 10th September, 2018 relative above captioned subject.

    “I appreciate your sense of duty and responsibility as a law-abiding  citizen who wishes to submit yourself voluntarily to the due processes of the law more so as your immunity as a governor shall soon come to an end.

    “In view of the above and your request to make yourself available on Tuesday, the 16th of October 2018 to make clarifications on ongoing  investigations that affect you, we look forward to receiving you even earlier than the 16th of October, 2018.

    “In this regard , we shall be willing  to receive you on Thursday , 20th September 2018 without prejudice to your immunity under Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

    “Please accept the assurances of the Acting Executive  Chairman’s  highest regards.”

    In his September 10, 2018 letter, Fayose said:  “Several and serial actions of your commission for some time now, including but not limited to freezing of my accounts and attempts to secure temporary forfeiture of my properties, are indicative of the commission’s desire to have me clarify some issues or answer some questions but for the immunity that I enjoy under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution as sitting governor of Ekiti State.

    “I wish to inform you that my term of office pursuant to which I enjoy immunity against investigation and prosecution under the above provision shall lapse by effusion of time on Monday, October 15, 2018.

    “As a responsible citizen of our great country, who believes in the rule of law, I wish to inform you of my decision to make myself available in your office on Tuesday, 16th  October, 2018 at 1pm to clarify issues or answer questions on issues within my knowledge.

    “Kindly confirm the suitability of the above date or indicate by return, the commission’s convenient date.”

  • Fayose signs controversial N10 bn supplementary budget

    Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, on yesterday  signed the controversial N10 billion supplementary appropriation bill into law insisting no law was violated in the process.

    The supplementary budget was considered by 14 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly members passing through first, second and third reading before being passed at a sitting on Friday that was less than one hour.

    The PDP legislators led by Speaker Kola Oluwawole brought the document for Fayose’s assent at the Governor’s Office, which grants him the right to spend the money before leaving office on October 15.

    Fayose, while signing the budget, dismissed criticisms from the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) saying his predecessor did the same thing on the eve of

    his departure from office in 2014.

    He said: “It is amusing to hear that Dr Kayode Fayemi said the revised budget being signed today was unnecessary. He (Fayemi) signed his own on September 15, 2014, exactly a month to his leaving office, now I’m signing my own on September 14. They should keep quiet and stop crying wolf, I’m still the governor.

    “It is laughable that Fayemi won’t stop at anything to blackmail me even when he had to go to ridiculous level.” “This revised budget being signed today September 14, 2018, Fayemi did sign the same kind of budget on September 15, 2014 when he had less than a month to leave office. May be he has forgotten, but Ekiti people are not suffering from dementia and are students of history.

    “The Clerk of the House in 2014 when Fayemi signed his revised budget, Mr Tola Esan is still the clerk and he is here today. We are not robots and when there are things to attend to we will still do that before we leave office.

    ”When Fayemi finally resumes, he can turn the state upside down, history will record him.”

    Accusing President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC of taking hypocrisy,  Fayose said he had acted within  the law by sending the budget to the assembly for appropriation.

    “They are confusing Nigeria, confusing the public, I don’t know the level they have taken hypocrisy to.

    “Recently President Buhari paid for fighter jets from excess crude account without appropriation, and heaven did not fall. This is sheer hypocrisy.”

    The governor urged the Assembly to cooperate with Fayemi when he assumes office in the interest of the state.

    “Don’t fight Fayemi when he comes, serve Ekiti. Ekiti is our common goal, politicians will come and go. “Do your work and leave them to their conscience and their propaganda.”

  • Fayose and his endless controversies

    As Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose leaves office on October 15, his tenure will not be forgotten in a hurry over many controversial actions he took during his four-year tenure. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA in this report examines some actions taken by the Afao-born politician which hogged the headlines and made every ear to tingle.

    The people of Ekiti State and Nigeria have been treated to huge dose of controversies throughout the tenure of Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose.

    Due to his unconventional lifestyle and leadership, Fayose has been attracting attention within and outside the country with Ekiti never leaving the spotlight since coming to power.

    There has been no dull moment under Fayose in Ekiti with the outgoing state chief executive always fishing in troubled waters either consciously or unconsciously.

    Gestures like eating and drinking in public places, riding on commercial motorbikes, celebrating his birthday by sharing cakes and N200 notes on the streets and buying petrol from fuel black market operators are some of the gestures Ekiti people will miss after Fayose’s exit from power.

    The governor, earlier in the life of his administration, placed advertorials in newspapers which suggested that President Muhammadu Buhari would die in office an action which sparked outrage.

    He started his tenure on a haze of controversy by accusing his predecessor and now governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, of wasting billions of Naira on building new Government House and “purchasing beds worth N5 million each.”

    Fayose accused Fayemi of plunging Ekiti into debt to the tune of N85 billion but records at the Debt Management Office (DMO) revealed that the state’s debt profile at the time the ex-governor stood at N18 billion.

    At the time Fayose came to office, the 26-member House of Assembly was made up of 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) members and 7 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members including the six who defected to Fayose’s party on the day of his inauguration.

    Apparently uncomfortable with the APC majority, the governor accused the opposition lawmakers of pushing the agenda of their party saying he would only be working with the “PDP 7” whom he said shared his dream to develop the state.

    The seven PDP lawmakers with the support of Fayose “impeached” the then Speaker, Dr. Wale Omirin, and replaced him with Mr. Dele Olugbemi. The APC lawmakers were fled the state when their lives were threatened.

    Fayose used the seven PDP legislators to screen and ratify commissioner nominees despite the fact that they did not form the quorum (9) and two-third majority (18).

    Following the plan of the “APC 19” to return to the state, Fayose deployed driver union members to all entry points of the state to block them from coming back and this was successfully done until another legislative election was held with the PDP wining all the seats.

    In August 2015, Fayose appointed a 72-year-old illiterate carpenter, Pa Olatunde Afolayan, as the caretaker chairman of Moba Local Government shortly after the last set of caretaker committees were dissolved.

    Fayose defended the action which drew applause from his supporters and criticisms from opponents by saying that it was a gesture to reward loyalty

    In September 2015, Fayose paid an unscheduled visit to the State Secretariat and arrested 31 workers who came late to work.

  • Ado-Ekiti indigenes protest Fayose’s sale of Oba’s market

    Some indigenes of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, yesterday protested Governor Ayo Fayose’s decision to sell shops in the uncompleted Erekesan (Oba’s) Market.

    The protesters described the market as their heritage, which they would not allow anyone to sell off.

    They warned the governor to pull the brakes on the planned sale.

    The indigenes noted that the control of market is under the jurisdiction of the local government and not the state government.

    The protesters wondered why the governor was in haste to sell the market before exiting office next month.

    They alleged that the governor’s decision to sell the market was unilateral and not after consultations with the indigenes.

    According to them, the N2 million per shop price the governor placed on the shops was too exorbitant for poor market women.

    The protest was organised by Ado Ewi Indigenes Rights Protection Forum and Ado-Ekiti Youth Coalition.

    The protesters carried a big banner with the inscription “Erekesin (Oja Oba) Market Not For Sale, Don’t Sell Ado Ewi Inheritance, Buyers Be Warned, Don’t Lose Your Money.”

    Addressing reporters during the protest, the Akuajo of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Olugbayo Ogunleye, expressed dismay at how Fayose allegedly reneged on his promise to consider the former occupants of the market before allocation.

    Joining Ogunleye to address reporters at the protest were the head of the Aladesanmi royal family, Prince Adedeji Aladesanmi and Babatolu of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Kayode Owolabi.

    Ogunleye said: “Our stand is apolitical. We are protesting to preserve the heritage of Ado-Ekiti indigenes with regards to Oba’s market.

    “Virtually all over Africa, especially in Nigeria and Yoruba land in particular, an Oba’s market is never sold. It can be leased or rented but it is not usually sold outright.

    “Again, the control of such a market is the constitutional rights of the local government and not that of the state because it is a major factor in the internally generated revenue (IGR) sources of the local government.

    “Our fear is that once it is sold, that market is gone forever and the local government will become poorer. So, we are calling for the retention of the local government and the need for it to be administered by the council. The market is not for any state.

    “They said people should come and pay as much as N2 million before the shops are allocated, rather than allowing them to rent the place. Even those occupying the place were not given preferential treatment. Where would those just trying to make ends meet get N2 million?”

    The National Secretary of Ado-Ekiti Youth Coalition, Olubodun Olukayode, said it was wrong for the governor to have contemplated selling the market, taking cognisance of the premium placed on it by Ado-Ekiti indigenes.

    He said: “We are sounding a note of warning to prospective buyers that the market is not for sale. Though we have not met the government, but we have registered our protest with Ewi-in-Council. As youths, whatever we do today shall be history tomorrow. So, we are here to preserve our heritage.”

     

  • Fayose’s offer to surrender to EFCC diversionary, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress(APC) in Ekiti on Wednesday described  as  suspicious and  diversionary  the offer by the outgoing governor, Ayodele Fayose,  to voluntarily surrender himself to the EFCC on the day he would be  vacating office.

    The APC insisted that the outgoing governor was  planning to seek safe landing to enable him run away from the country.

    The party, through its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, questioned the rationale behind Fayose’s request for the approval of N10 billion extra budget by the state House of Assembly less than one month to the expiration of his tenure.

    ” This will certainly be at the expense of the welfare of the pensioners and workers  who he will be abandoning in a state of penury and frustration due to months of unpaid salaries

    ” Fayose and his cronies are recklessly looting the state treasury and they are smiling home with billions of Naira at the expense of Ekiti tax payers, ” the party said.

    The party, which described   Fayose’s readiness to appear before the EFCC as a welcome development, however, warned that this may be a decoy  ” knowing Fayose is full of pranks and capable of playing tricks on the EFCC and other security agencies.’’

    ” The letter to the EFCC can be used by Fayose as a distraction and diversionary tactic  to pave way for his escape from the country, thereby running away from justice.

    “ Fayose’s promise to appear before the anti-graft agency on the handover day sounds too good to be true and highly suspicious

    ” We therefore recommend that he be put under serious close surveillance  since he is morally and duty bound to account for many of his recklessly corrupt practices that have made him billions of state money richer than the state itself

    ” No matter how smart Fayose thinks he is and no matter how fast he thinks he can run, the long arm of the law must catch up with him to refund our collective wealth and money for the benefit of all in our dear state, Ekiti,’’  the party  said. (NAN)

  • Fayose ready for EFCC quiz in October

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has said he will answer questions on the management of funds under his watch at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja.

    The governor promised to be at the office of the anti-graft agency on the expiration of his immunity.

    He will vacate his seat for Governor-elect Dr. Kayode Fayemi on October 15. The latter will be sworn in the following day.

    Fayemi, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeated the outgoing Deputy Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, in the July 14 election.

    Fayose said his decision followed “several and serial actions of the EFCC for some time now, including the freezing of his bank accounts”.

    According to him, he will show up at the Abuja office of the anti-graft agency 1 pm on October 16.

    The letter communicating the governor’s decision, which he signed, was dated September 10.

    The receipt of the letter, titled: “Notification of my decision to make myself available in your office to clarify issue(s) or answer questions on issues within my knowledge”, was acknowledged at the EFCC Chairman’s Office on September 11.

    It reads: “Several and serial actions of your commission for some time now, including but not limited to the freezing of my accounts and attempts to secure temporary forfeiture of my properties, are indicative of the commission’s desire to have me clarify some issues or answer some questions but for the immunity I enjoy under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution as the sitting Governor of Ekiti State.

    “I wish to inform you that my term of office, pursuant to which I enjoy immunity against investigation and prosecution under the above provision, shall lapse by effluxion of time on Monday, October 15.

    “As a responsible citizen of our great country, I, who believe in the Rule of Law, wish to make myself available in your office on Tuesday, October 16, at 1 pm, to clarify issues or answer questions within my knowledge.

    “Please, accept the assurances of my highest regards.”

    EFCC, last year, froze Fayose’s accounts domicilled at Zenith Bank, but the accounts were freed after the governor sued the anti-graft agency at a Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti.

    The commission challenged the verdict of the lower court at the Court of Appeal, Ado-Ekiti, which ordered that the accounts be frozen again, having been convinced they were allegedly used to keep proceeds of crime.

    The EFCC averred that part of the $2.1 billion arms deal from the Office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), were paid into Fayose’s Zenith Bank accounts.

    The governor’s associate, Abiodun Agbele, is in custody for alleged involvement in moving cash for and buying property for the governor.

  • Updated: Fayose surrenders self to EFCC

    Says I’ll be your guest on October 16

    The reality of life outside power has begun to dawn on Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose as he has signified intention to answer questions on management of funds under his watch.

    Fayose has promised to make himself available at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) barely 24 hours after the expiration of his constitutional immunity.

    He is expected to vacate the state’s number one seat for his predecessor in office, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on October 15 as the latter will be sworn to office the following day.

    Fayemi, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeated the outgoing Deputy Governor, and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, at the July 14 governorship election.

    The Ekiti governor said his decision was sequel to “several and serial actions of the EFCC for sometime now including the freezing of his bank accounts.”

    According to him, he has concluded arrangements to show up at the Abuja headquarters of the anti-graft agency at 1.00 pm on the said date.

    The letter communicating the governor’s decision which was personally signed by him was dated September 10.

    The letter was acknowledged received at the EFCC Chairman’s office on September 11.

    It was entitled: “Notification of my decision to make myself available in your office to clarify issues(s) or answer questions on issues within my knowledge.”

    Read Also: N117 billion debt: I leave Fayose to God, says Fayemi

    The letter reads: “Several and serial actions of your Commission for some time now, including but not limited to the freezing of my accounts and  attempts to secure temporary forfeiture of my properties are indicative of  the Commission’s desire to have me clarify some issues or answer some  questions but for the immunity I enjoy under Section 308 of the 1999  Constitution as the sitting Governor of Ekiti State.

    “I wish to inform to that my term of office pursuant to which I enjoy immunity against investigation and prosecution under the above provision shall lapse by effluxion of time on Monday, 15th October, 2018.

    As a responsible citizen of our great country, I who believes in the Rule of Law, I wish to make myself available in your office on Tuesday, 16th October, 2018 at 1pm to clarify issues or answer questions within my knowledge.

    “Please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”

    The EFCC froze Fayose’s accounts domiciled at Zenith Bank in 2017 but the accounts were unblocked after the governor sued the anti-graft agency at a Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti.

    The EFCC challenged the verdict of the lower court at the Court of Appeal, Ado-Ekiti which ordered that the accounts be frozen again having been convinced that they were allegedly  used to keep proceeds of crime.

    The EFCC averred that part of the $2.1 billion arms deal from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) were paid into Fayose’s Zenith accounts

    Fayose’s associate, Abiodun Agbele, is being prosecuted for allegedly assisting the governor to launder funds and purchasing property.

  • Fayose asks Assembly to okay N9.9b ‘revised budget’ one month to handover

    •Request backdated to August 30
    •Committee allegedly working secretly

    There is tension in Ekiti State House of Assembly following an order by Governor Ayo Fayose for the lawmakers to approve a supplementary Appropriation Bill of about N10 billion a month to his handover.

    The bill, which an Assembly source described as “curious”, was backdated to August 30.

    A copy of the bill with the governor’s signature was made available to The Nation in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, titled: “2018 Revised Budget.”

    The supplementary budget came at a time the controversy over the purchase of a 2018 Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) as a “parting gift” for the governor has not died down.

    In a letter conveying the bill, Fayose urges the lawmakers to approve N9,926,527,772.86 to be spent before he steps down from power on October 16.

    What the N9.92 billion would be expended on was sketchy at the time of filing this report.

    The outgoing governor, who has just 32 days in office, is expected to make way for the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who won the July 14 governorship election.

    Fayemi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer, defeated Fayose’s anointed candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.

    Transition Committee set up by Fayemi said documents from the Debt Management Office (DMO) showed that Ekiti debt profile had risen from N18 billion when Fayemi left office in 2014 to N117 billion as at March.

    The Nation learnt that the supplementary Appropriation Bill was received at the office of the Clerk of the House of Assembly, Mr. Tola Esan, on September 10 at 3.40 p.m.

    The governor directed the lawmakers, who have been on recess since July 16, to work on the request and pass the bill “as early as possible”.

    It was gathered that Speaker Kola Oluwole had reached out to some members of the Appropriation Committee as work began on the bill without recourse to the parliamentary procedure.

    An Assembly official, who craved anonymity, said: “The lawmakers are to work on the bill and pass it quietly within the shortest possible time.

    “The usual parliamentary procedure of First and Second readings have been side-stepped as the committee members are to sit to approve the bill ahead of the deadline given by the governor.”

    According to a document attached to the 89-page budget prepared by the Ministry of Budget, the approved estimates for 2018 stood at N98,611,545,040.66, while the revised estimates sent to the Assembly stood at N108,538,072,813.52.

    It was also gathered that the governor’s request is the first of its kind this year, as no supplementary Appropriation Bill had been forwarded to the Assembly since the passage of this year’s budget.

     

  • N117 billion debt: I leave Fayose to God, says Fayemi

    •Governor-elect receives committee report

    The Transition Committee set up by Ekiti State governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has revealed the state’s debt profile has ballooned to N117 billion under the administration of outgoing

    Governor Ayo Fayose.

    The panel said the latest debt figure, which was sourced from the Debt Management Office (DMO), was outside salary, pension and gratuity arrears, compensation to majority of owners of houses demolished for Ado-Ekiti flyover and debt owed contractors, among others.

    According to DMO, the total debt left by Fayemi in 2014 was N18 billion, which was disputed by Fayose who claimed his predecessor left N85 billion debt.

    The revelation came to light at the weekend when the committee chaired by a former federal lawmaker, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, submitted its report to the governor elect at the Conference Hall of AB Hotel, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The ceremony was witnessed by the deputy governor-elect, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi; wife of the governor-elect, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi; All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the House of Assembly, party leaders and members.

    Adetunmbi revealed the outgoing Fayose-led administration did not set up a committee of its own to interact with it and did not release any document to facilitate its assignment.

    He said: “The sub-committees of this Transition Committee met with 76 interest groups including labour unions, interest groups, civil society bodies, development partners who assisted with information of what is going on in the outgoing administration.

    “The report being submitted today represents the voice of the people that voted you (Fayemi) in and it contains what they want in the short term, medium term and in the long term.

    “As at the last time the DMO released official debt figures, Ekiti owes N117 billion.”

    Responding, Fayemi said while he leaves the outgoing government to God, he is focused on making a difference in the life of the people of Ekiti State despite the challenges ahead.

    He also urged the incoming House of Assembly to consider and enact a Transition Act that will stipulate the duties of an outgoing

    administration and an incoming administration to pave the way for seamless transfer of power.

    Such law, according to him, is in operation in African countries like Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and other advanced democracies in other parts of the world.

    Fayemi said: “The chairman (Adetunmbi) talks about liabilities, that is what government is all about, assets and liabilities, government is a continuum.

    “We are not unmindful of the fact that there will be debts but we are focused on our agenda to make a difference in the lives of our people.

    “So for us, we leave whatever that is done by the outgoing government to God and God will handle that in the best way possible.

    “We want to focus on making the difference in the life of our people, so our people remain our priority.

    “We hope some reasons will prevail between now and inauguration day for the outgoing government to come up with the information this committee has been asking for since it was inaugurated.”

    Fayemi disclosed that he spoke with some development partners and investors willing to work with his government during a recent trip to China who demanded the report of the committee.