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Tag: Fayose

  • Ward congress: Ekiti PDP divided over Fayose’s ‘imposed’ delegates

    A fresh crisis has hit the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the disputes among party members on last Saturday’s ward congress.

    Some party chieftains are accusing Governor Ayo Fayose of violating the party’s guidelines and constitution by allegedly compiling the names of his stooges and imposing them as “elected delegates”.

    They claimed that the development had angered majority of party members, who expected a free, fair and credible congress to elect the delegates who will vote at the December 9 National Convention in Abuja.

    The aggrieved Ekiti PDP stakeholders have petitioned the State Ward Appeal Panel, urging its members to disregard the list of national delegates from the local government congress held on November 21.

    The petition was signed by a Board of Trustees (BoT) member, Chief Clement Awoyelu; the senator representing Ekiti Central, Mrs. Fatimat Raji Rasaki and House of Representatives member representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency II, Mr. Olamide Oni.

    Others who endorsed the petition are: former House of Representatives members, Mrs. Titilayo Akindahunsi and Mr. Olufemi Adeyemi as well as Mrs. Titilayo Oluwatuyi, Dr. Kunle Folayan, Chief Williams Ajayi and Mr. Fatai Ibraheem.

    The petition reads: “We, members of PDP in Ekiti State, hereby wish to bring to the notice of the chairman and members of the above-named panel that there was no ward congress in Ekiti State on Saturday, November 18, or anytime directed by the national headquarters of our great party.

    “What actually happened in Ekiti State was the usual practices of Governor Ayo Fayose to single-handedly compile the names of his stooges as delegates without following the stipulated guidelines of the party.

    “What this means is that Governor Fayose’s choice, rather than the people’s choice, emerged as candidates. This singular action has disappointed and provoked majority of members of the PDP in Ekiti State.

    “The essence of this is for the governor to enable him select those delegates who will vote for candidates of his choice, rather than the popular choice of Ekiti people, at the national convention on December 9.

    “We hereby appeal to your panel to void and disregard the list of delegates submitted by the governor and, by intention, disregard the list of national delegates that may emerge from the local government congress scheduled for November 21 (yesterday).”

    But the PDP Publicity Secretary in Ekiti State, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, described the petition of the aggrieved party chieftains as a ruse and a mischief.

    Adebayo, who spoke on the phone with our reporter, maintained that a valid ward congress was held.

    He added: “The action of disgruntled elements against an organised house will not stand.

    “The petition is a ruse and a mischief of the highest order. The dates for the congresses were held and everybody knows the venues and they were held according to the constitution of the party.

    “The Electoral Committee supervised the (ward) congress, except they are trying to cover up their inadequacies and unless they did not go to the venue of the congress.

    “That is why they sit down in the corners of their rooms to write rubbish in their petition. To us as a party, a valid ward congress was held on November 18 and delegates emerged.”

    When asked if the petition against the alleged imposition of delegates by Fayose did not portray a division in the party, Adebayo said: “There is no division in the party. If some people are not acting according to the rules of the party, maybe it is because of their ulterior motives. They are writing petition against the congress conducted in 177 wards in the state.

    “There was no imposition at the congress. We want to urge our well-meaning party members to ignore the action of a disgruntled elements against an organised house.”

     

     

  • Fayose: aspirants for chairman must unite

    Fayose: aspirants for chairman must unite

    •‘There must be shadow poll’

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has urged Southwest aspirants for  national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unite before the national convention in Abuja.

    The governor noted that the region may lose its slot for the party’s national chairmanship, if the aspirants refused to work together and choose a candidate.

    He said presenting a candidate would brighten the region’s chances.

    Fayose suggested the conduct of a shadow election among aspirants to enhance the zone’s chances of winning the position.

    The governor spoke at the weekend while hosting one of the aspirants, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, at the Government House in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    He noted that presenting one contestant will brighten the chances of the zone to clinch the position on December 9.

    Daniel, who supported Fayose’s suggestion of a primary among aspirants from the zone, said he had the exposure, experience, contacts and acceptability to occupy the office and lead the party to victory in elections.

    Fayose said: “We need to get a consensus candidate from our zone to clinch the post. We should not go to the convention as a divided house.

    “I see nothing bad if we get all delegates from the Southwest to vote in a shadow election for their preferred candidate. Then, whoever emerges would be supported by all during the convention.

    “If we propose that and majority of aspirants agree, whoever does not agree would be seen as having no follower at all. I can’t work against you or your interest.

    “We have too many aspirants from our zone, and it is not only us (Southwest) that will decide who becomes the national chairman of our party. It will be decided by every member from across the country.

    “As for my position as the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, I am only a voice there. Agreed that the governors will play a crucial role in determining who wins, but if I say something, I can’t force it down my colleagues.

    “It is only advisable that we get our house in order. All aspirants from our area, apart from dividing the votes in the region, are also dividing the votes in the North too. We all know that our party is the party to beat in the country.”

    The governor promised not to work against the interest of Daniel or any other aspirant in the zone or work against interest of the zone.

    Daniel said: “Fayose’s suggestion is a good idea. If our party leaders and members support it, I am ready for it. Majority of aspirants only have the experience of being political appointees. I have contested and won elections twice.

    “As a governor, you know what it is to contest and win elections. I have traversed all nooks and crannies of this country, and I am well accepted.

    “Our party needs somebody like me, who has the contacts and the experience to lead it. We are going to contest against incumbent in many states and even at the presidential level. So, we must be up-and-doing. I am assuring our members that I will lead the party to victory in coming elections.”

  • Fayose, Kashamu congratulate Obiano

    Fayose, Kashamu congratulate Obiano

    •Makarfi’s tenure a disaster, says senator

    Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and the senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu yesterday congratulated Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano for his re-election in Saturday’s election.

    Fayose described the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies as above average and a sign that the electoral umpire was listening to the cries of Nigerians for free, fair and credible elections inherited by the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

    In a statement in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor said: “Even though there were reports of malfunctioning of card readers, number of votes exceeding number of accredited voters and pockets of violence as well as buying of votes, the Anambra governorship election was better than others conducted by INEC under the present government of APC.”

    He added: “By now, INEC ought to have resolved all issues on card readers because it does not augur well for the electoral process and INEC itself, if we are still being faced with failure of card readers on Election Day.”

    Fayose hailed observers – local and international – for ensuring that the election was relatively credible.

    The governor urged them to focus more attention on next year’s governorship election in Ekiti and Osun states.

    Kashamu described the tenure of the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, as “a disaster and the worst nightmare for our party”.

     

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja, he said: “It is clear that Makarfi and his allies have brought ill-luck to the PDP.”

    The senator was reacting to the re-election of Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano in Saturday’s poll.

    Kashamu said: “Makarfi and his team came as if they were the saviours the PDP was waiting for, but they have turned out to be the ones killing the party with their illegality, impunity and self-centredness. They believe they can do anything and get away with it. They did it in Anambra where all the popular aspirants were disenfranchised and the ticket was sold against democratic norms…”

  • ‘Fayose working against Yoruba interest in PDP’

    ‘Fayose working against Yoruba interest in PDP’

    A group within the Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Oduduwa PDP United Front, has accused Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose of working against the interest of the Yoruba to clinch the PDP national chairmanship.

    A statement by the group’s chairman, Chief Babatunde Adesanya, said: “When, early this year, he went to town with all colour and noise announcing himself as a presidential aspirant, despite the fact that the position had been zoned to the North, many laughed at his action.

    “But not so. Fayose obviously harbours some grim delusions of grandeur. He wants to be Vice President.

    “He has now openly declared that he does not want the chairmanship position to be zoned to the Southwest.”

    The group added: “Fayose should know that he is positioning himself in perpetual historic damnation and utter perfidy, should he conspire against his own people and snatch the chairmanship position from us.”

    The statement urged Fayose to come back home “and align with the sons and daughters of Oduduwa”.

  • Oshiomhole: Edo can’t return to Fayose’s definition of governance

    Oshiomhole: Edo can’t return to Fayose’s definition of governance

    •APC members display resent for Obaseki 

    Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said the state cannot return to Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose’s definition of governance, by providing stomach infrastructure to party members.

    Oshiomhole, who spoke at a thanksgiving to mark Governor Godwin Obaseki’s one year in office, said the govenror’s business is not to listen to some voices, but focus on the primary purpose of governance, which is to grow the economy, ensure that quality education remain available, and others.

    “It is the outcome of these efforts that will deliver food to the people’s stomach. It cannot be about keeping money to share; we cannot return to Fayose’s definition of governance.

    “There are some things the government must do which he is doing; the ultimate gain of these investments being attracted is for the people to create wealth for themselves – that is what is sustainable and not giving handouts in terms of money,” the ex-governor said.

    Party members, however, displayed open resent for Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    They are angry that Obaseki has not been providing ‘stomach infrastructure’ for them.

    When Oshiomhole walked into the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, party members disrupted the opening prayers by shouting his praise. Each time his name was mentioned, they give a resounding applause.

    The APC’s secretary in Ovia North East, Samson Idehen, said they were unhappy.

    Idehen noted that no matter what the governor achieved, if politicians were not carried along, people would see him as a non-performer.

    His words: “When embarking on projects, you should carry political leaders along because they have followers. If a contract is given to a leader, the followers will be carried along; it’s not by giving them money.”

    Another party leader, who pleaded for anonymity, said they are hungry and annoyed that after one year, there was nothing to show for supporting the party and Obaseki to power.

    Frank Guobadia said the APC, under Obaseki, has not disappointed the people by performing beyond expectations.

    He, however, said low revenue was the cause of money not getting to the party leaders.

    “They call him wake and see Governor because they saw what he is doing. We just left the era of surpluses everywhere. It won’t be as usual but things will be better,” he added.

    But Governor Obaseki said contrary to speculations, Oshiomhole has not interfered in the administration of the state.

    He insisted the former governor gave him a free hand to run the government.

  • Fayose ordered to pay N.2b for illegal sack

    Fayose ordered to pay N.2b for illegal sack

    • ‘Dismissing Fayemi’s aides in 2014 was executive recklessness’

    The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) has ordered Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose to pay over N234 million to chairmen and members of statutory commissions appointed and sworn into office by former Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    Fayose sacked members of the State Independent National Electoral Commission (SIEC), Civil Service Commission (CSC), House of Assembly Service Commission (HASC) and Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) in October 2014 when their tenures had not expired.

    The officials, through their counsel, led by Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), prayed the court to reverse their sack and reinstate them.

    The claimants anchored their prayers on the grounds that their tenures was statutory.

    The court gave the verdict while delivering judgment in separate suits filed by the sacked members against Fayose and the attorney general.

    Justice Oyeyibola Oyewumi, yesterday, ordered Fayose to pay the plaintiffs N234,010,982.24 for terminating their appointments on October 20, 2014.

    He said: “It is trite that where an appointment of an employee is terminated outside the specified terms of agreement or specified period, such a termination will be seen to be wrongful or unlawful, as the case may be.

    “It is upon this basis I find that the dissolution of the commissions and removal of their chairmen and members by the first defendant (Fayose) is an act of executive recklessness, executive rascality, a grave disregard for the governor’s oath of office, which he swore to uphold, defend and protect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The action of the first defendant in this case leaves a sour taste in the mouth. A grotesque galore, which, cannot, and should not, be allowed to stand in the way of justice.

    “It is noteworthy that it has become fashionable for governors to take over the affairs of a state. The first cause of action is for them to dissolve government boards – statutory and otherwise – for them to fill such positions with their political gladiators, thereby disregarding/discountenancing the constitutional procedure for doing so. This, to say the least, is most unpatriotic and should not go unsanctioned.

    “It is, therefore, declared that mere announcement of the dissolution of the offices of the claimants on the electronic media is a breach of constitutional trust. It is, therefore, declared null, void and of no effect. I so find and hold.”

    But the judge refused the claimants’ prayers for perpetual injunction restraining the governor or his agents from forcefully withdrawing the monetised vehicles from them.

    The plaintiffs are: Mrs Cecilia Adelusi, Chief Gbenga Agbona, Chief O. K. Aina, Mr. Dele Oloje, of SIEC, and Chief Ranti Adebisi, Chief Reuben Akomolafe, Princess Omotunde Adelabu, Mr. Kola Fakiyesi, Mrs. Dupe Bakare and Mr. Olorunfemi Babalola of LGSC.

    Others are: Alhaji Aflabi Ogunlayi, Elder Segun Bankole, Mrs. Kemisola Olaleye, Elder Yemi Alade and Chief Sesan Fatoba, of CSC and Chief George Ojo, Chief Esan Abejide, Mr. Foluso Ibirinde, Mr. Bayo Akinola and Mr. Kupolati Olaiyan, of HASC.

  • ‘Blame Fayose for retirees’ deaths’

    ‘Blame Fayose for retirees’ deaths’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of causing the hardship that led to the death of eight pensioners within two weeks.

    In a statement yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, APC said if the governor had applied the N57 billion loans he took according to the terms of their approvals, pensioners and workers would have received their monthly wages and pensions to take care of their health needs.

    The party accused Fayose of insincerity in handling the state’s finances, arguing that if the governor had been honest with Ekiti residents, the cash the state got through federal allocations in the last two years was sufficient to pay workers and pensioners up to date.

    It said: “In his last media chat, he, as usual, deceived Ekiti people that the September allocation to the state government was N2,456,000,000, instead of the correct figure of N3.6 billion. He also said local government allocation was N1,970,000,000, arguing that the total he falsely gave (N4,431,000,000) was not enough to pay salary, whereas the average state workers’ wage bill is N1.8 billion while that of local government is about N1.6 billion, totalling N3.4 billion.”

    APC also accused Fayose of taking Ekiti residents for fools, adding that the governor’s alleged deceit in asking labour leaders to sit on a committee to share allocations and loans was the height of fraud to deceive the public to paint the picture of transparency in the application of public funds.

    It said: “Ekiti people are no longer deceived by Fayose’s callous conduct in publicly asking a committee composed of his foot soldiers in the Labour movement to share allocations, loans and Paris Club refunds coming to the state, whereas he is the sole person sharing this money without anyone asking questions.

  • Fayose urges security agencies to fish out EKSU students’ killers

    Fayose urges security agencies to fish out EKSU students’ killers

    •Governor dedicates phone lines to arrest criminals

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has ordered security agencies to fish out the killers of two students of Ekiti State University (EKSU) in the last two weeks.

    The governor said there would be no hiding place for cultists and kidnappers in the state.

    He said: “The long arm of the law will soon catch up with them.”

    Fayose, who spoke yesterday while featuring on this month’s edition of his media chat, called: Meet Your Governor, promised to stamp out cultism and kidnapping, which have been on the increase across the state.

    The governor also released some phone numbers dedicated for volunteering information to security agencies to arrest of suspected cultists, kidnappers, ritualists and other criminals.

    The lines are: 09030002151, 09030002161 and 08062336577.

    Security has been tightened in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, as operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) conducted stop-and-search on motorists on Ado-Iworoko Road, which leads to EKSU.

    Fayose, who expressed anger at penultimate Monday’s killing of Ojo Segun and last Monday’s killing of Ayodele Temilade, both of EKSU, said the culprits would not go unpunished.

    He said: “We won’t allow anybody to tarnish the image of EKSU and the state. We have been experiencing peace in the state and the recent killings are condemnable.

    “The police will surely fish out the perpetrators. I won’t allow anybody to turn the institution into a place of bloodshed. I have told the management of the institution to stamp out cult activities. People sent to study should face their studies squarely.

    “Also, security agents are monitoring the activities of some bad eggs who want to turn Ogotun-Igbaraoke-Ikere axis and Oye-Imojo-Ayede axis into kidnappers’ areas of operation.

    “We are on top of the situation. There is no hiding place for criminal elements in the state.”

    The governor urged the public not to aid or abet criminals and their activities.

  • Ambode, Udom, Obaseki, Dickson, Fayose, Osinbajo’s wife hail women’s contributions

    Ambode, Udom, Obaseki, Dickson, Fayose, Osinbajo’s wife hail women’s contributions

    •Lagos  empowers 2,613 women entrepreneurs with N2.1b 

    GOVERNORS Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Seriaki Dickson (Bayelsa) and Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti) have hailed the contributions of women to the society and nation-building.

    They spoke at the opening of the 17th National Women Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) in Lagos with the theme: “She creates, she transforms”.

    The governors took turns to celebrate the doggedness, dexterity and creativity of women and their notable contributions towards building a better society.

    In his goodwill message at the event, Ambode lauded the resilience of women in their different spheres, noting that women are naturally-gifted with skills and talents that make positive difference and impact on their generation.

    He said: “Our women are constantly creative; making something out of nothing. Creativity has become very essential to succeed in today’s world because we face new challenges everyday – at home and at work. As the woman creates and transforms, she positively impacts the family, the workplace and the nation.

    “With the female population in our country today, it is clear that our women have the capacity to positively affect the Nigerian economy and are already doing so.”

    He was optimistic that the conference, aside celebrating the resilient and dynamic nature of women under diverse situations, would go a long way to unleash the creative and transformative energies of more women.

    Ambode, who restated his administration’s commitment to supporting female entrepreneurs, added that as at September 2017, no fewer than 2,613 female entrepreneurs, who run Medium and Small Scale businesses have been funded through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund to the tune of N2.1 billion, assuring that more would be given before the end of the year.

    The governor congratulated the first female mechanic, Sandra Aguebor, who was presented with the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award, saying she had dared to succeed in a career many see as a sole reserve for men.

    Emmanuel, who was guest of honour, lauded COWLSO Chairman and Lagos State Governor’s wife Mrs. Bolanle Ambode for sustaining and improving the COWLSO conference, which started 17 years ago.

    The governor said there was need for women as liberator of the world to be appreciated by every man for their contributions to growth at all times.

    On the theme of this year’s conference, Emmanuel urged women to live their lives by creating and transforming people and things around them without minding the shortcomings, adding that it was important for them to keep hope alive.

    Also, Dickson said the role of women in transforming life could not be under-estimated, saying that it was imperative for women to always be appreciated and celebrated.

    Dickson and Obaseki hailed Lagos State for the initiative, saying that they would replicate same in their states for the benefit of women.

    On his part, Fayose said life without women would be full of crises, saying that it was important for women to be given opportunity to be in the drivers’ seat in the country.

    In her welcome address, Mrs. Ambode urged women to speak up against the barbaric practice of female genital mutilation, saying that the campaign must start from the home-front, churches, mosques,  offices and the communities.

    Mrs. Ambode said: “Female genital mutilation is evil, it is wicked, it is anti-social and unjustifiable. In fact, it is a crime against women. We must devote time for enlightenment and awareness, especially among uneducated mothers. We must stand together against it, until the practice is totally eradicated in our country and the world.”

    She urged woman to resist the temptation of pursuing economic empowerment at the expense of taking good care and paying attention to their children, stressing that children who do not enjoy parental care, easily grow to become potentially dangerous youths and threatening the peace of the society.

    “The rising trend of leaving the girl-child entirely in the care of housemaids, neighbours or strangers in pursuit of income or for flimsy reasons, should be discouraged.

    “We must desist from and discourage child-labour, child-abuse and fight child trafficking with all our strength. We owe it a duty to give good parenting to our children and indeed all other children put in our care. We must give them hope and allow them see the positive side of life, as a way of bringing back good morals and societal stability,” Mrs. Ambode said.

    In her keynote address, the Vice President’s wife Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo urged women to work hard to transform their children and wards into greatness and create a safe and secured society by inculcating the right virtues in their children.

    She particularly urged the womenfolk to draw inspiration from women who had performed creditably well in their chosen profession, and endeavour to leave their footprints on the sands of time.

    Mrs. Osinbajo said women must speak up against rape and all forms of abuse against women and children, and also speak in defence of the downtrodden and less-privileged in the society.

    Highlight of the event was the presentation of the Inspirational Woman Award Mrs. Aguebor by Mrs. Osinbajo and the unveiling and beautiful rendition of the COWLSO anthem.

     

  • CNPP slams Fayose for ‘diverting’ pensioners’ funds

    •Commissioner: it’s not true

    The Ekiti State Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has expressed shock at alleged diversion of funds meant to pay pensioners and workers by the Ayo Fayose administration.

    Reacting to a report by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which indicted the Fayose government for allegedly diverting N680 million bailout fund, the CNPP described the alleged diversion as “callous and greedy”.

    But Commissioner for Information Lanre Ogunsuyi dismissed the allegation, saying it was a “figment of imagination of those peddling it”.

    He described the Fayose administration as “the most transparent in the history of Ekiti.”

    A statement yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by CNPP’s Director of Publicity, Kunle Omotayo, said 16 political parties in the state met and regretted that pensioners and workers were owed several arrears after the state had received intervention funds from the Federal Government.

    The statement said: “For the first time in the history of Ekiti State, workers have turned petty thieves, stealing pots of soup and some stealing farm produce to stay alive, while several others have become beggars before they can make ends meet…”

    Ogunsuyi challenged any person or group with evidence of the alleged diversion to come out with same or forever keep silent.

    He said: “I sympathise with those celebrating what the EFCC has done; it is quite unfortunate. Ekiti is in a difficult financial situation because of the repayment of loans obtained by Fayemi administration. We have repaid N40 billion in the last 36 months, deducted at N1.2 billion per month.

    “The allegations of treasury looting and financial mismanagement being peddled by some mischievous individuals and groups only exist in their imagination. Let them bring concrete evidence or keep silent forever.”