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Tag: Fayose

  • APC won’t succeed me in 2018, says Fayose

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose yesterday said the All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot take over power from him in the 2018 governorship election.

    Fayose spoke at the International Women’s Day celebration at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The governor said he had the support of the people to defeat the APC and “its federal might” in the 2018 polls.

    He reiterated his support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, saying he did not recognise the National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

    Fayose said no policemen or Department of State Services (DSS) agents should give him protection since “I have local people behind me giving me protection”.

    He accused the two security agencies of working for the Federal Government.

    Commending Ekiti women for their support for his administration, Fayose donated N500 million to empower them in farming, petty trading and grassroots economy.

    He promised to elevate a female executive secretary to the post of permanent secretary.

    The governor also announced a N2 million donation to a local female musician, Bukky, to purchase state-of-the-art musical instruments.

    He also promised to appoint a special assistant to coordinate women’s activities in his administration.

    Fayose said: “In the next local government election, we must produce one-third of women as councillors, one-third of women as chairpersons, one-third of women as supervisors. The era of imposition has gone. Our men must stop intimidating women.”

    Speaking on PDP factional crisis, Fayose said: “In Ekiti, we are behind Makarfi, we don’t know Sheriff.

    “Fear not he who laughs last, laughs best. We are not for Sheriff, we don’t believe in Sheriff. Don’t be worried at all.”

  • Centre slams Fayose for alleged exploitation

    Centre slams Fayose for alleged exploitation

    The John Kayode Fayemi (JKF) Centre has accused Governor Ayo Fayose of using the Women’s Day to be celebrated today as an opportunity for exploitation.
    The Centre condemned the alleged imposition of customised Ankara fabric at N500 each on the women, including female civil servants, at a time when government owe them six month arrears of salaries and private businesses reeling under alleged heavy taxation.
    A statement yesterday by its Director, Biodun Omoleye, lampooned Fayose for allegedly defrauding the womenfolk, claiming that the price for the customised fabric was jerked up to N1,500 before it was later reduced to N500 after much outcry.
    Omoleye said the real way to celebrate women is not by forcing them to buy and wear aso ebi while many of them, who are civil servants, have not been paid for several months while those in private businesses are overburdened with heavy taxation.
    He described the sale of the fabric by the Fayose administration as “heartless and intolerable harassment and coercion”, adding that today’s rally was “a mere showmanship and jamboree with no bearing on how to improve the lives of women”.
    Omoleye said there were various ways to concretely assist women to develop their potential for self-development, citing various empowerment and skills acquisition schemes by former Governor Kayode Fayemi to lift Ekiti women out of poverty.

  • Fayose demands return of N10m donation to Obasanjo’s library

    Fayose demands return of N10m donation to Obasanjo’s library

    •Factional zonal PDP exco declares support for Makarfi

    PDP Southwest berates governor

    The Southwest caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has berated Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose over a meeting he hosted yesterday.
    The caucus, in a statement by National Vice-Chairman, Southwest, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, said Fayose had no right to call a meeting of the caucus.
    The statement reads: “The attention of the PDP Southwest Zonal leadership has been drawn to a purported meeting of the Southwest PDP held yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, at the instance of Governor Ayo Fayose.
    “Ordinarily, any action by a character like Governor Ayo Fayose does not deserve a response from any responsible quarter. But, for record purposes, it is important to point out that Fayose is the big shame bedeviling the PDP family, especially in the Southwest.
    “Fayose’s action in summoning a meeting he lacks the right to call at a time when well-meaning leaders and elders are calling for restraint and reconciliation is most despicable.
    “Otherwise, how do we describe his action and utterances under the guise of a non-existent and illegal South West PDP leaders forum? In what capacity did he call the meeting of South West PDP leaders? Can a governor call a zonal PDP leaders meeting?
    “Finally, I wish to implore our well-meaning leaders and elders not to allow Fayose to do further havoc to our party before he takes his imminent exit.

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has stirred a fresh controversy on the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library project, demanding the return of the N10 million he donated to the project during his first term in 2005.
    The governor told former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who inaugurated the library with fanfare at the weekend as part of activities to mark his 80th birthday, to “return the money with interest”.
    He spoke at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti yesterday while hosting a factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Southwest Zonal Executive and expanded caucus meeting.
    Fayose alleged that 30 governors on the platform of the PDP were compelled by Obasanjo to donate N10 million each to the multibillion Naira library project which he described as “the greatest fraud ever witnessed in Nigeria.”
    He accused Obasanjo of destroying the PDP platform after “selfishly using it to ascend to the presidency twice”, advising the former president to stop seeing himself as a saint.
    Fayose said: “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 (Obasanjo) 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.”
    The governor said the former president was rehabilitated by the party after being released from prison only to turn around and declare the party dead.
    Fayose described PDP members as “petty thieves” and All Progressives Congress (APC) members as “super robbers”.
    The factional PDP Southwest executive led by Dr. Eddy Olafeso, however, passed a vote of confidence in the Chairman of PDP National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi.
    The authentic PDP Southwest faction is chaired by Makanjuola Ogundipe and is loyal to the National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.
    Fayose urged PDP members in the zone not to be intimidated by the ascendancy of the APC, predicting that “God will soon move against the oppressors by declaring their seats vacant”.
    The governor described Sheriff and his faction as “moles” and “political kidnappers”, maintaining that he cannot be in the same party with such characters
    Fayose said: “Yes, they are kidnappers, because when you take what does not belong to you, then you are a kidnapper. For me, I stand with Makarfi, because the judiciary has no reason to appoint the chairman and executive members for party owners.
    “How can you call yourself the leader of a party and be working for the opposition? Sheriff and his group will fail in their devilish plot against our party.
    “We, the committed members of this party will not allow this evil to work, because charlatans can’t be allowed to hijack our party.
    “To me, the PDP is one under Ahmed Makarfi. I want you to speak out against President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, nobody can kill you. The tough time we are passing through is just a phase as tough time never last but tough people do.
    “They said PDP people are corrupt, but if you look critically, the PDP are mere petty thieves while APC members are super robbers.
    “They are only interested in destroying and oppressing our members while the people groan in sufferings. Today, the country is under emergency situation.
    “They said we should use political means to settle our differences, let me say that even if we reconcile there are some people I can’t be in the same party with. They are dirty and people like us can’t associate with them.”
    A communique issued at the end of the meeting which was read by Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola declared support for the decision of the Makarfi Caretaker Committee to challenge the Sheriff’s Court of Appeal victory at the Supreme Court.
    Rollcall at the event include Former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel; Senator Iyiola Omisore; former PDP Deputy Chairman Bode George; former PDP National Vice Chairman Tajudeen Oladipo; Caretaker Committee spokesman Prince Dayo Adeyeye; a member of the House of Representatives from Ogun Oladipupo Adebutu; Chief Ebenezer Babatope; Prof Olu Agbi and Ondo State governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede.
    Others were state PDP factional chairmen Sikirudeen Ogundele (Ogun); Clement Faboyede (Ondo); Gboyega Oguntuase (Ekiti); Muraina Ajibola (Oyo); Moshood Salvador (Lagos); Bayo Faforiji (Osun); Mrs Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Paul Alabi, among others.

  • Southwest PDP Chairman to Fayose: Your meeting with party men illegal

    The Southwest zonal leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the meeting held by the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, with some party leaders in Ado-Ekiti on Monday as illegal.

    The PDP zonal leadership in a statement signed by its chairman, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, said the governor overstepped the boundary of his power by allowing his alleged inordinate ambition to push him to summon the meeting.

    The statement read: “The attention of the South West Zonal leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a purported meeting of the South West PDP held today (Monday) in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, at the instance of Governor Ayo Fayose.

    “Ordinarily, any action by a character like Governor Ayo Fayose does not deserve a response from a responsible quarter.  But, for record purposes, it is important to point out that Fayose is the big shame bedeviling the PDP family, especially in the South West.

    “Fayose’s action in summoning a meeting he lacks the right to call at a time when well-meaning leaders and elders are calling for restraint and reconciliation is most despicable. Otherwise, how do we describe his action and utterances under the guise of a non-existent and illegal South West PDP leaders’ forum? In what capacity did he call the meeting of South West PDP leaders? Can a Governor call a zonal PDP leaders meeting? Has he been able to call a full meeting of the PDP Governors’ Forum which he purports to lead? We thank God that most of the respectable leaders of our party in the South West shunned the illegal gathering.

    “It is most ridiculous that Fayose has become a slave to his inordinate ambition, and for that reason he must destroy an otherwise solid and responsible institution like the PDP. He must be reminded that he was the least qualified to be Ekiti Governor when he was foisted on the party and the people of the state. Most of those who fell for his trick of being a better and more mature person are now full of regrets.

    “At the height of his executive rascality, Fayose would throw every rule of the game to the rubbish bag as long as he continues to dwell in his fool’s Paradise. He denigrates the judiciary when a judgment or ruling does not favour him. Yet, this same funny character seeks succour from the same institution that he vilifies with reckless abandon. It is only an unbalanced character that switches like this.

    “I wish to state that Fayose, Eddy Olafeso and his co-travellers are clearly in contempt of the subsisting judgment and orders of‎ Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division and the Federal High Court, Lagos.

    “While the Court of Appeal sacked the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee and set aside everything that was purportedly done at the botched 21st of May, 2016 National Convention, the Federal High Court, Lagos, in a judgment delivered on the 17th of May, 2016 specifically nullified the purported zonal congress that was said to have produced Olafeso and his gang and proclaimed that the tenure of my exco remains till October, 2018.”

     

     

  • Fayose to Buhari: stop speaking with ‘outsiders’

    Fayose to Buhari: stop speaking with ‘outsiders’

    •Governor urges President to speak with him

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari for speaking on phone with some world leaders and refusing to speak with any local opposition figure.

    Fayose said rather than the President shopping for outsiders to speak with to prove that he (Buhari) is well, Buhari should be encouraged to speak with him.

    Some world leaders the President had spoken with since the commencement of his medical vacation in London include President Donald Trump of the United States,  King Mohammed VI of Morocco and the President of the African Union (AU), Moussa Faki.

    In a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor said: “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 tohelp 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,” he said.

    Nigerians, he added, are suspicious of Buhari’s purported visits to London as well as his orchestrated telephone conversations with international figures, who Nigerians cannot trust to give an unbiased report about the President’s  health.

    “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.”

  • Ekiti workers angry with Fayose over Ozekhome’s N75m legal fee

    Ekiti workers angry with Fayose over Ozekhome’s N75m legal fee

    Civil servants in Ekiti State have condemned Governor Ayo Fayose’s alleged payment of N75 million as legal fees to a legal practitioner,Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), for handling his case against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    An interest group in the state workforce, the Enlightened Workers Forum (EWF), said payment of what they called a “huge amount” on Fayose’s private case was sad, condemnable and unjustifiable at a period workers are owed six months’ arrears of salaries.

    In a statement issued on Friday by EWF Coordinator, Mike Bamidele, the workers said Fayose should explain to workers and people of the state on why he shelled out N75 million as “part payment” to Ozekhome which they said has further dented the image of the state.

    They wondered why they are still being owed six months’ arrears after the Federal Government had released N9.6 billion bailout, N8.88 billion and budget support funds for nine months amounting to N10 billion within a space of one year and two months.

    The workers’ body said Fayose has much explanation on how the financial reliefs received from the federal government were spent and why they are still being owed arrears.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a counter-affidavit filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos claimed that the N75 million was part of the proceeds of the alleged loot from the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

    The EFCC filed the counter-affidavit in opposition to an application by Ozekhome seeking to unfreeze his account which was blocked by the anti-graft agency.

    The EFCC averred that N75 million transferred to Ozekhome’s account domiciled in Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) was part of the N2.1 billion allegedly paid to Fayose from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Dasuki’s watch shortly before the June 21, 2014 governorship poll in Ekiti State.

    But the workers said evidence given in court by former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, was a proof that the EFCC action was not politically-motivated as alleged by Fayose urging the governor to leave them (workers) out of his trouble with anti-graft body

    The statement reads: “Releasing a whopping sum of N75 million to Ozekhome as part payment of legal fee in the governor’s private case with the EFCC, particularly at a time when he had bluntly refused to pay salaries and pensions.

    “No matter the amount of coloration given to the case, it is not a state case; rather, it is purely a private one involving him and the EFCC and therefore should have been prosecuted with his personal fund.”

    The workers recalled that Nigerians were shocked when Fayose claimed that his campaign was sponsored by Zenith Bank only for the bank to deny the claim adding that revelations from the court is a challenge to the governor that he owes Ekiti people explanations.

    They said further: “By the way, what impression is Fayose trying to create in this case? Is he trying to turn to white what the whole works already knew as black? He said the money found in his account at the Zenith Bank was donated by the bank to sponsor his 2014 election but the bank promptly denied.

    “The EFCC said it was his own share of the diverted N2.1 billion arms fund. Senator Obanikoro who brought the money to him did not only come out to confess but had begun to pay back his own share.

    “His personal assistant corroborated the statement of the senator, the bank manager confirmed it, driver of the bullion van did same so also is the pilot of the plane that brought the money. Yet, Fayose insisted, it was his money but from what source?”

  • Fayose paid Ozekhome N75m from Dasuki loot, says EFCC

    Fayose paid Ozekhome N75m from Dasuki loot, says EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked Justice Abdulaziz Anka of the Federal High Court, Lagos, to reject Chief Mike Ozekhome’s bid to unfreeze his Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) account, which has a balance of N75 million.

    The EFCC claimed the money, which was paid to Ozekhome as legal fee by Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, was part of the N2.26 billion arms procurement fund, which a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), allegedly looted.

    It said Dasuki routed N1.22 billion of the N2.26 billion to Fayose through a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro.The commission stated this yesterday in a counter-affidavit it filed in opposition to Ozekhome’s application.

    Justice Anka froze the account on February 7, following an ex-parte application from the EFCC claiming the N75 million deposited into the account on December 15, was suspected to be proceeds of crime.

    He ordered Ozekhome to forfeit the money for 120 days pending investigation by the EFCC.

    Ozekhome is the counsel to Fayose, whose account was frozen by the EFCC for alleged money laundering.

    But the lawyer approached the court, saying the EFCC misrepresented facts to obtain the order and urged Justice Anka to lift the order.

    The SAN contended that the EFCC’s action was unconstitutional, had no legal justification and was a gross violation of sections 36, 37 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

    But in yesterday’s counter-affidavit deposed to by EFCC counsel, Idris Mohammed, the commission stated that after Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos placed a temporary restriction on Fayose’s account, the governor, through Ozekhome, went before Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Ado Ekiti Division of the Federal High Court to obtain an order to unfreeze the account.

    The prosecutor said even though Fayose was aware the commission immediately appealed Justice Taiwo’s ruling, the governor went ahead to dissipate part of the contentious funds, paying N75 million to Ozekhome, who helped him to secure Justice Taiwo’s unfreezing order.

    The EFCC claimed Ozekhome ought to have “reasonably known that the N75 million was transferred to him” from Fayose’s account, which the EFCC claimed was used to retain proceeds of crime and alleged kick-backs from some contractors in Ekiti State.

    It urged Justice Anka not to unfreeze Ozekhome’s account.

    Justice Anka adjourned till March 7, for hearing.

  • 2018: Fayose launches movement

    2018: Fayose launches movement

    Ahead of the 2018 governorship poll in Ekiti State, loyalists of Governor Ayo Fayose and members of his faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have launched a political group known as the ‘Osoko Mass Movement.’
    The movement was launched in Ikere Ekiti, where the registration of members in the South Senatorial District took off. The event was attended by members of the House of Assembly, local government chairmen, political appointees and youths.
    There are speculations that the movement may be an exit plan by the governor from the crisis-ridden PDP.
    But, the Director of Media and Publicity of the movement, who is also the House of Assembly member representing Ijero Constituency, Mr. Ekundayo Akinleye, said it should not be mistaken as an exit plan for Fayose.
    “We are telling the whole world that wherever Fayose goes anytime from now, we will follow him en masse.
    “It is all about sustaining the Ayo Fayose legacy beyond 2018 and to tell the whole world and in particular, Ekiti people, that wherever Fayose is going in 2018, we are going with him.
    “Whoever Ayo Fayose and our people pick in 2018 for the governorship race, we will support.”
    Akinleye said the PDP in Ekiti could not in anyway affect the party’s chances of winning the election in 2018 “because many of us who are part of this movement are lovers of Fayose and we cut across political parties in the state.
    He added: “We just love Fayose and want a continuation of his legacy in the state. That is why wherever Fayose goes, we are following him, if Fayose leaves PDP today, we will follow him.”
    Akinleye said the coordinators at the local levels would be meeting weekly to get numbers of people in their polling units and register them to know the number of electorates voting in each of the wards.
    He stressed: “We will also get to know the number of people voting for our party in each wards through the polling units coordinators.”

  • I attended Akeredolu’s inauguration for Yoruba unity – Fayose

    Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, said on Friday that he attended the inauguration of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo for Yoruba unity.

    Fayose, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said this in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, in Ado-Ekiti.

    The governor said he could not have done otherwise because the unity of Yoruba people was too important for anybody to play politics with.

    He said, “I see nothing wrong in attending the inauguration of an APC person in neigbouring Ondo State.

    “Being a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should not stop me from attending the inauguration of an All Progressives Congress (APC) governor.”

    According to him, such an occasion is a national one that well-meaning people should identify with.

    ‎”This is a Nigerian affair; when a governor is sworn in, we have to support him; we are talking of regional integration and unity here; Akeredolu is already one of us by virtue of his new position.

    “We have to support him since electioneering has come and gone and a winner has emerged, and we have to work together in the spirit of the people of our region.

    “We cannot play politics with the welfare of the people of our region; we have to support Akeredolu to make the difference.

    “This is a matter of the Yoruba nation and after Nigeria, Yoruba nation comes first‎. We don’t need to play politics with the welfare of Yoruba people,” Fayode stated.

    NAN

  • Tinubu, Akande, Fayose, others grace Akeredolu’s inauguration

    Tinubu, Akande, Fayose, others grace Akeredolu’s inauguration

    The National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was among the several dignitaries that attended the inauguration of new Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, held at the Akure Township Stadium on Friday.

    The stadium was  filled to capacity as early as 8:00 a.m. with well-wishers, APC members, associates, friends and family members of the new governor and his deputy storming the venue to witness the event.

    Different cultural groups, including the Owo Cultural group, APC cultural group, the Kiribo and Abode cultural troupes were also at the venue to entertain the guests.

    Others dignitaries that graced the inauguration are – the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Lasun Yusuf, Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto),  Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo),  Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Yaya Bello (Kogi),  Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and APC Southwest Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure.

    Former governors in attendance included Bamidele Olumilua (Ondo), Olusegun Osoba (Ogun), Adeniyi Adebayo (Ekiti), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), who represented former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Abubakar Baraje, senators, Gbenga Ashafa, ‎Olusola Adeyeye, Dino Melaye, Ajayi Boroffice, Tayo Alasoadura, Isiaka Adeleke, Yele Omogunwa, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, Friday Olemija, Mayowa Akinforlarin, and Victor Akinjo.

    The traditional rulers were not left out of the ceremony and those in attendance included the representatives of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor kiladejo, Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Olugbo of Ugbo and Oba Fredrick Akinruntan.

    Some members of the Federal Executive Council notably Minister of Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi, Lai Muhammed (Information), Adebayo Shittu (Communications), Audu Ogbeh (Agriculture) and Chris Ngige (Labour and Productivity) were also at the event.