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Tag: Fayose

  • Fayose: Obasanjo father of corruption

    Fayose: Obasanjo father of corruption

    For attempting to extricate himself from the web of $1.09 billion Malabu oil deal, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has come under scathing attacks from Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose.

    Fayose, in his second tirade against Obasanjo in two weeks, described the former President as “the father of corruption in Nigeria who sits on stolen wealth and lacks moral rights to accuse anyone of corruption.”

    While challenging Obasanjo to explain to Nigerians his source of “stupendous wealth”, Fayose in a statement yesterday by his Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka, attacked Obasanjo for his alleged “holier-than-thou posture”, grandstanding and pontification on issues of corruption.

    The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum claimed that Obasanjo presided over one of the most corrupt administrations in the nation’s history.

    He restated his call that the ex-leader should refund the N10 million he (Obasanjo) forced him (Fayose) to donate alongside other 29 governors to his presidential library project in 2005 with interest.

    He said: “It smacked of the highest level of hypocrisy for someone like Obasanjo to be sermonizing about corruption, having superintended over a corrupt government himself.

    “The former President must come out clean on his roles in the controversial $1.09 billion Malabu Oil deal, instead of warning former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Mohammed Adoke to stop mentioning his name in the deal.

    “It is on record that the out-of-court settlement on the controversial Malabu Oil Block was initiated in 2006 during Obasanjo’s administration. Obasanjo’s accusing anyone of corruption was like “Oyenusi accusing Shina Rambo of armed robbery.

    “I challenge the former President to explain to Nigerians the source of his stupendous wealth. We saw how Obasanjo was when he became president and the magnitude of both direct and indirect investments that he has now. Can he in all honesty tell Nigerians that he acquired his wealth through legitimate means?

    “Other Nigerians who left offices as President are still relevant to their people, but can the same be said about Obasanjo? Was he useful to the Yoruba race as President and now as former President?

    “The bad state that he left major roads linking the Southwest to other zones in Nigeria, especially the Lagos-Ibadan expressway remains a pointer to this. Yet, he goes about postulating as if he is the only honest Nigerians who can make things right in the country.”

  • EFCC: Fayose paid Ozekhome from N1.2b Dasuki’s slush fund

    EFCC: Fayose paid Ozekhome from N1.2b Dasuki’s slush fund

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose paid an intial N75million to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) ,Mike Ozekhome, from an alleged N1.2billion the governor allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    The commission said it froze Ozekhome’s account because the money was suspected to be a proceed of crime.

    Ozekhome prayed Justice Abdullazeez Anka to unfreeze his firm’s account, which the court froze at EFCC’s instance on February 7.

    Opposing the application, EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo argued that Ozekhome ought to have  known that the money he received was proceeds of “fraudulent activities”.

    He said: “EFCC received an intelligence report that Mr Ayodele Fayose received N1,219,490,000 from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through the former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro, who conveyed the money through an aircraft to Akure airport.

    “It discovered that  N137million was paid into an account,  1003126654, operated by Fayose on June 26, 2014.

    “On August 22 and 27, 2014, N50million and N118million were also credited to the account.”

    Oyedepo said having discovered the funds were “proceeds of crime”, EFCC approached Justice Mohammed Idris of the court’s Lagos division for an order freezing the account.

    The lawyer said the order by Justice Idris was not appealed by either Fayose or the bank, where the money was lodged.

    “The N75million is from the proceed of the alleged crime fraudulently taken from  ONSA and kept in Fayose’s account from where it was transferred to Ozekhome,” he said.

    Oyedepo said EFCC could freeze any account suspected to have received criminal funding even if it was not in possession of the person committing the unlawful act.

    He said nothing had been shown to contradict the fact that the money came from the ONSA,adding that  Ozekhome cannot claim ignorance of the source of the money.

    Arguing his application to defreeze the account, Ozekhome said it was not a lawyer’s duty to investigate the source of his legal fees.

    Besides, he said at the time Fayose paid him the money, the governor’s account had been defreezed by an order made by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the court’s Ekiti Division on December 13.

    He said the judge, on January 31, also refused EFCC’s application to stay execution of  the December 13 judgment.

    Ozekhome said the EFCC obtained the order freezing his account 47 days after Fayose transferred the N75million.

    “The account frozen by Justice Idris had been defreezed by Justice Taiwo and made operational after it was found that material facts were suppressed,” he said.

    The Senior Advocate said the N75million was part-payment for professional fees having handled eight cases for Fayose and his aides.

    He said the total sum owed his chambers by Fayose was N250million.

    Ozekhome said he wrote Fayose demanding payment, and that the governor sought  his understanding because his account was frozen.

    The SAN said when Justice Taiwo defreezed Fayose’s account, he (Ozekhome) sent the governor a reminder to pay the money.

    “There was no encumbrance on the account from which the money was transferred,” Ozekhome said.

    He said it was wrong for EFCC to conclude that the money was proceeds of crime when Fayose, who enjoys immunity, had not been tried or convicted.

    Besides, Ozekhome said EFCC never served him with the order as required by the court’s rules, adding that the freezing of his account brought opprobrium on him.

    “They did it in bad faith,” he said.

    On whether EFCC violated Justice Taiwo’s order, Oyedepo said nowhere in the judgment did the judge set aside Justice Idris’ ruling.

    Justice Anka adjourned till April 3 for ruling.

  • Fayose paid N75m into Ozekhome’s account from N1.2bn Dasuki’s funds — EFCC

    The EFCC on Wednesday told a Federal High Court in Lagos that Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, made a payment of N75 million to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, from the N1.2 billion the governor received from a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said it froze Ozekhome’s account because the money was suspected to be proceeds of crime.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Ozekhome had urged Justice Abdullazeez Anka to unfreeze his firm’s account which the court ordered at EFCC’s instance on Feb. 7.

    Opposing the application, EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, argued that Ozekhome ought to have reasonably known that the money he received as part payment for legal fees was proceeds of “fraudulent activities”.

    He said: “EFCC received an intelligence showing that one Mr Ayodele Fayose received N1.2 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through the then Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro.”

    He said Obanikoro conveyed the money in an aircraft to Akure airport for delivery to Fayose in neighbouring Ekiti.

    Oyedepo said it was investigated and it was discovered that the sum of N137 million was paid into an account no. 1003126654 operated by Fayose on June 26, 2014.

    “On August 22 and 27, 2014, the sum of N50 million and N118 million was also credited to the account.”

    Oyedepo said having discovered that the funds were proceeds of crime, EFCC approached Justice Mohammed Idris of Lagos division for an order to freeze the account pending conclusion of investigations.
    The lawyer said that the order by Justice Idris was not appealed by either Fayose or the bank where the money was lodged.

    “The N75 million is from the proceeds of the alleged crime fraudulently taken from the ONSA and kept in Fayose’s account from where it was transferred to Ozekhome.

    “ EFCC is empowered to freeze any money suspected to be proceeds of crime even if it is not in possession of the person committing the unlawful act.”

    He argued that nothing had been showed to contradict the fact that the money came from ONSA, adding that Ozekhome could not also claim not to know the source of the money.

    Arguing his application to unfreeze the account, Ozekhome said it was not a lawyer’s duty to investigate the source of his legal fees.

    Besides, he said as at the time Fayose paid him the money, the governor’s account had been unfrozen by an order made by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Ekiti Division of the court on Dec. 13. 2016.

    He said that the judge on Jan. 31 also refused EFCC’s application to stay execution of the judgment of Dec. 13, 2016.

    Ozekhome said EFCC obtained the order freezing his account 47 days after Fayose transferred the N75 million.

    “The account frozen by Justice Idris had been unfrozen by Justice Taiwo and made operational after it was found that material facts were suppressed,” he said.

    The Senior Advocate said that the N75 million was part payment for the professional fees having handled eight cases for Fayose and his aides.

    He said that the total sum owed his chambers by Fayose was N250 million and that he wrote Fayose demanding payment of the fees, and that the governor sought for his understanding because his account was frozen.

    He also said when Justice Taiwo unfroze Fayose’s account, he (Ozekhome) sent the governor a reminder to pay the money after which he made the N75 million.

    “There was no encumbrance on the account from which the money was transferred,” Ozekhome said, recalling that the bank in Ekiti also allowed Fayose to withdraw N5 million in cash from the account.

    He said it was wrong for the EFCC to conclude that the money was a proceed of crime when Fayose, who enjoys immunity as a sitting governor had not been tried or convicted.

    Justice Anka fixed April 3 for ruling.

  • EFCC: Fayose paid Ozekhome from N1.2b received from ONSA

    EFCC: Fayose paid Ozekhome from N1.2b received from ONSA

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday said Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, made a part-payment of N75 million to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome, from an alleged N1.2billion the governor allegedly received from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    The commission said it froze Ozekhome’s account because the money was suspected to be proceed of crime.

    Ozekhome prayed Justice Abdullazeez Anka to unfreeze his firm’s account which the court froze at EFCC’s instance on February 7.

    Opposing the application, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, argued that Ozekhome ought to have reasonably known that the money he received as part-payment for legal fees was proceed of “fraudulent activities.”

    He said: “EFCC received an intelligence showing that one Mr. Ayodele Fayose received N1, 219,490,000 from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through the Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, who conveyed the money through an aircraft to Akure airport.

    “It investigated the intelligence and discovered that the sum of N137million was paid into account numbered 1003126654 operated by Fayose on June 26, 2014.

    “On August 22 and 27, 2014, the sums of N50million and N118million were also credited to the account.”

    Oyedepo said having discovered that the funds were “proceeds of crime,” EFCC approached Justice Mohammed Idris of the court’s Lagos division for an order freezing the account pending conclusion of investigation.

    The lawyer said the order by Justice Idris was not appealed against by either Fayose or Zenith Bank Plc where the money was lodged.

    “The N75million is from the proceed of the alleged crime fraudulently taken from the ONSA and kept in Fayose’s account from where it was transferred to Ozekhome,” he said.

    Oyedepo said EFCC is empowered to freeze any money suspected to be proceed of crime even if it is not in possession of the person committing the unlawful act.

     

  • Fayose to Buhari: release Kanu, Dasuki

    Fayose to Buhari: release Kanu, Dasuki

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to unconditionally release former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki and leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu from prison custody.
    In a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, Fayose admonished Buhari to reciprocate the mercy of God upon his life by also showering mercy on his fellow citizens.
    Fayose said: “You have received the mercy and favour of God. You have come back from medical vacation alive. By what people had said and by your own account, it is the mercy and favour of God that have seen you through as well as the prayers of everyone.
    “It is incumbent on you to now also show mercy. I advise you to show mercy to Nnamdi Kanu and Sambo Dasuki and such other Nigerians that are suffering unjust, punitive, illegal, and unconstitutional incarceration under your directive or administration.
    “Allow all those who have been granted bail by the court to enjoy their bail while their trial continues. This is the right, just, and merciful thing to do.”

  • Fayose: Lawyers petition EFCC, IGP

    Fayose: Lawyers petition EFCC, IGP

    A law firm, Salawu, Akingbolu and Company, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering charges against some aides of Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose.

    The lawyers also petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), accusing the governor of using policemen to “prevent arrest of suspects, manipulate  charges against his aides and harassment of bank workers”.

    In the petitions dated February 23, the lawyers  said they were acting on the orders of The Concerned Ekiti Indigenes and demanded investigation of the allegations.

    They urged the EFCC to investigate the alleged stealing of $150,000 by a woman  and some domestic workers  in the Government House.

    The petitioners also pointed the IG’s attention  to serial use of policemen to perpetrate illegal acts in favour of the governor, citing  the use of policemen to prevent EFCC from effecting the arrest of Femi Fani-Kayode’s wife when she attempted to withdraw money from her husband’s frozen account.

    Other illegal acts, according to the petitioners, include the governor’s use of the policemen to harass  bank workers over attempt to withdraw money from an account under a legal restriction, including use of policemen to besiege a popular hotel to prevent arrest of a suspect.

    The lawyers pointed attention to the role of the Ekiti State Police Command in the manipulation of the alleged theft charge of $50,000 in the Government House involving Fayose’s aides, Sunday Omosilade, Afolabi Sunday, Bamidele Temitope and a foreign exchange operatorr, Shuaibu Amidu.

    They noted that in the purported amended charge, Amidu, who assisted Afolabi and Temitope to change the $50,000 to naira equivalent, was omitted “for obvious reasons and the name of Omosilade, the governor’s aide was also removed.”

    They also complained that the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Owoseni Ajayi,  had applied to take over the case,  indicating that there was a ploy to manipulate the case and to cover-up the alleged fraud in the governor’s favour.

    They called the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari and EFCC to the alleged Fayose/police conspiracy to aid criminality in Ekiti State.

    They said: “The questions that agitate the minds of the public and demand answers are as follows; how did Omosilade suddenly turn from an accused to a complainant?

    “How did he come about $50,000  which is the equivalent of N20,000,000? Why did the governor demote him and send him packing from the Government House to the office of his wife? If Omosilade is the owner of the money, why did the governor punish him?

    “What is his salary and how did he come about having $50,000 in his possession?”

  • Fayose: The other side of the coin

    Those who desperately demonise Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose tend to downplay the reality of the other side of the coin, meaning there may be reasons to lionise him.

    Fayose said some things recently that were food for thought. But those who refuse to see any sense in what he says missed the point. When former President Olusegun Obasanjo made a show of the inauguration of his Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on March 4, Fayose said from a distance: “Obasanjo will with a rotten mouth condemn PDP that gave him a platform to be president from prison for eight years. When we saw the picture when Obasanjo was released from prison by General Abdusalami, you would not allow such a man to sit beside you. We were made to pay him N10 million each as governors in 2005 to build his presidential library. I have written to him, return that money o Baba. How can Nigeria celebrate a corrupt man? He is the worst ever. He should put interest in the N10 million that I contributed. His time has come and gone; we are at the centre of the business now.” Fayose described the multibillion Naira library project as “the greatest fraud ever witnessed in Nigeria.”

    Contrast Fayose’s unflattering illumination with the flattering decoration by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo whose presence added colour to the event. Osinbajo described Obasanjo as “an African icon.”  Osinbajo said: “President Olusegun Obasanjo is therefore a gift in various ways being so intricately tied to the history of Nigeria, few years away from independence to the civil war and then head of state with the Nigerian people and then the transition to civil rule and then from retirement and farming and being twice elected as president of Nigeria and then handed over to another president. At every turn, he recorded his views and perspectives and especially of the times in various books, articles, seminars and now in this amazing monument to add credible life of service to our continent and to our world.”

    It is clear that Fayose provided a more clarifying picture, and helped to situate the event more unsentimentally. As a central player in an administration that is passionate about anti-corruption, Osinbajo’s perspective leaves much to be desired. It is understandable that Osinbajo was expected to be diplomatic at the event, but there are times when diplomatic language is carried too far.  Fayose’s unadorned account seems to make more sense for public consciousness.

    When President Muhammadu Buhari was busy trying to show that he was not so unwell in the United Kingdom as to be uncommunicative, it was Fayose who characteristically suggested a winning communication approach that was likely to reassure a reasonably sceptical Nigerian public.  Fayose said in a statement: “I advise the President to speak with me to convince Nigerians that he is hale and hearty instead of looking for outsiders to convince us. If the problem is looking for a credible person to help convince Nigerians, then Ayo Fayose is the best bet. Let the President speak with me. If I tell Nigerians that the President spoke with me, they will believe.”

    Fayose added: “Since they are eager for the President to speak to people, let Buhari talk to me. I can be reached on 08035024994. I am credible and Nigerians will believe me. They said he spoke to President Donald Trump; despite the hype, Nigerians were sceptical. Then they said he spoke to the King of Morocco; again, Nigerians were suspicious. Before we recovered from that, it was the AU President. A President that can speak with outsiders should be able to whisper or wave to his own people. The people voted him in and so presidential aides should stop giving the impression that Buhari has no respect for the electorate.”

    It is easy to see the amusing side of Fayose without seeing his serious side. That is why those who only see one-dimensionality when they look at him can’t see his other dimensions.  This is a character whose words and actions need to be construed creatively.

    When Fayose wants to mingle, he does so strikingly and with the enthusiasm of a man who is conscious of personal brand promotion possibilities. Those who criticise him for mingling don’t seem to appreciate his personal branding efforts.  When he is photographed with lowly locals playing the role of a good mixer and de-emphasising his gubernatorial status, his ready critics reduce his interaction with the people to the point of absurdity.  It would appear that other governors may project populism but not Fayose, simply because of the peculiarity of his populism.

    It is impossible to escape a superlative adjective for the emphatic success Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) achieved in the Ekiti State governorship election of June 21, 2014. His victory was fantabulous.  By his spectacular emergence, he apparently demonstrated the actuality of his self-definition.  Days to the historic election, he said in an interview: “You cannot take away the fact that I am a recurring decimal in the political equation of Ekiti State. You can’t take that away from me. You cannot equally deny that I am a grassroots person.”

    It is observable that the All Progressives Congress (APC), which Fayose defeated to become governor, has not recovered from his sucker punch. Those on the other side continue to respond to his administration with emotionally charged criticisms.  It is worth mentioning that domestic observers and foreign monitors endorsed the election that brought Fayose to power, employing terms that left little or no room for antagonism, such as “free,” “fair,” “transparent,” “peaceful” and “credible.”

    Fayose’s quotable quotes during an event to mark the 2017 International Women’s Day in Ekiti State on March 8 gave an insight into why he says the things he says in the way he does. He said: “They say I talk anyhow. Why do they behave anyhow?” His words also provided useful insight into why he mingles. Fayose said: “The power of the people is greater than those of us in power.”  It goes without saying that the country would be a much better place if those in power grasp the reality that power belongs to the people.

  • PDP crisis tears Fayose, Dickson apart

    PDP crisis tears Fayose, Dickson apart

    Until recently, they were best of friends but the raging factional crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has torn Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose and Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson apart.

    Fayose is angry with Dickson for his role as the chairman of the party’s Reconciliation Committee which has submitted a report to National Chairman Ali Modu Sheriff.

    The PDP Governors’ Forum chairman, who is a supporter of National Caretaker Committee Chair Ahmed Makarfi, maintained that there cannot be any meaningful reconciliation with Sheriff as the party boss.

    Fayose alleged that “well over $1 million had been provided by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to fund the convention being planned by the Sheriff-led National Working Committee (NWC).

    In a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Fayose who said he was reacting in his capacity as Ekiti State governor, faulted the submission of the report without recourse to appropriate organs of the party.

    Fayose said: “All constitutionally-recognised organs of the party, including staff of the national secretariat,  are with the Markafi-led Caretaker Committee and since political party is about membership, Sheriff will continue to carry with himself the burden of lack of legitimacy.”

    “I respect Governor Dickson, he is my brother and he is entitled to his own personal opinion just as I am entitled to mine.”

  • Adebayo father of all, says Fayose

    Adebayo father of all, says Fayose

    The absence of an interpreter yesterday stalled the arraignment of two Chinese and a Nigerian at the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged fake tyre importation.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) charged Taolung Shen (36) and Xu Jimg Yao (22) with four counts of importation of sub-standard tyres.

    Prosecution counsel, Babatunde Alajogun, prayed Justice Mojisola Olatoregun allow the charge dated March 3 to be read to the accused.

    But defence counsel Victor Opara said the first and second defendants do not speak English.

    “I normally discuss with them by means of an interpreter,” he said.

    When the judge asked Alajogun why he did not arrange for an interpreter, the lawyer said he assumed the defendants could speak English.

    Justice Olatoregun chided Alajogun for not bringing an interpreter.

    She said: “It was at your request that we took the case today because you said they had been in custody, so why are you not ready? Did you ask if they could speak English? Are you not supposed to ask?”

    The judge said it was not be fair to arraign them yet, adding: “They are expected to understand the charge. They are expected to follow the proceedings. That’s when you would have fulfilled the legal requirements.”

    When Alajogun applied that the accused persons be remanded in prison pending when an interpreter is brought, the judge refused.

    “I will not. They will go back to where they came from. I don’t persecute people here,” he said.

    Opara promised to bring an interpreter from the Chinese consulate. “I undertake to produce an acceptable interpreter from the Consulate within 24 hours,” he said.

    The defendants were charged with Chinedu Madubuike and two companies – Sino Nigeria Import and Export Ltd and Nedeca International Limited.

    The complainant – Federal Republic of Nigeria – accused them of conspiring to import tyres that did not meet relevant industrial standards.

    The prosecution said they stuffed various sizes of tyres into one which makes them unfit for purpose.

    The alleged offence is contrary to sections 320 (2)(b) and 518 (2) of the Criminal Code Act 2004 and Section 26(2)(b)(iii) of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Act No. 14, 2015 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    According to the AGF, the alleged offence was committed last month in Lagos.

    The defendants were also accused of failing to furnish returns on the condition of the imported tyres as required by law, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 32(1) of the SON Act.

    Justice Olaterogun adjourned till March 20 for arraignment.

  • Fayose the tailor

    The Nigerian Television Authority, the octopus NTA, used to serve its 20 million viewers “Sura the Tailor”, a fictive tele-comedy.

    But NTA was in indecent haste. Had it waited a few years, even decades, it would have served its happy and titillated viewers with real-life stuff, with gubernatorial clout to boot: Fayose the Tailor!

    Perhaps to herald the 2017 International Women’s Day (IWD) in Ekiti, His Excellency, the “Irunmale to nje jollof rice” (self-named demon wolfing down jollof rice) hopped into a neighbouring Ado-Ekiti seamstress’ shop, full security in tow, to show the locals the real stuff of which gubernatorial tailoring was made.

    And boy! Didn’t the tape rule, and the machine-in-full-sewing motion, and the profile of the governor as executive tailor sit rather well on the august visitor in March?  It’s the making of Fayose the Tailor.

    O, was the governor-tailor sewing the special IWD “aso ebi”, thus assuring the Ekiti womenfolk that their day this year would be a day to remember? Nothing less, really, was expected from the gubernatorial man of the people!

    Until, of course, the John Kayode Fayemi (JKF) Centre — to be sure, no love lost between that axis and Fayose’s gubernatorial axis — hinted at some unconscionable racketeering allegedly tailored (that word again!) at a gubernatorial but crafty parasite virtually sucking the last pint of blood off the women hosts he claims to so much love.

    JFK Centre alleges the “aso-ebi”, priced at N500, was a soulless scam to fleece these long-suffering Ekiti women, in times of salary backlogs and harsh taxation, even when businesses are wilting in Ekiti.  Well, that’s JKF Centre’s allegations.  Let the Osoko and his people speak up for themselves.

    Still, it is amazing how far Fayose would go to drag the governorship to the height of the Pigmy, just because he seems well and truly incapable of vaulting its heights, by petty stunts and cheap derring-do.

    If Fayose is not combing Abuja for some bukateria to push the image of the Fela jeun kooku (eat and expire), he is scoring Ekiti to price pepper, fish and meat like some idle housewife — or more aptly, house husband! — or even visiting the “happening” joint for the latest and most potent agbo jedi (local herbs for pile) in town!

    Of course, a people so swayed by spectacle are thrilled; and they roar!  It is true, as the Yoruba quip: a lunatic show is high fun.  But whoever wishes his son or daughter pulls that show?

    Each time he puts up these stupid stunts, Ekiti regresses. But who knows what geometrical backwardness these wilful present regresses would translate to in future?

    In five years (1954-1959), the great Chief Obafemi Awolowo built a free education legacy that gifted Ekiti its cutting edge of professors, which earned it the due accolade of the land of the learned and the cultured. Would it take just four years of empty Fayose stunt-pulling to condemn its future generation to avoidable ruin?

    Ekiti thought they elected a governor.  Now, all they have is a prankster, whose latest empty stunt is Ayo the Tailor!

     

    Ekiti Kete!