Tag: Fayose’s deputy

Dickson Akinwumi is a former Private Secretary to the late Mrs. Hannah Dideolu Awolowo and the President of ‘Concerned Ekiti Professionals for Good Governance.’ In this interview with reporters in Ado- Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, he speaks on the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the governorship poll. Sunday Omoniyi was there.

What is your assessment of the Fayose administration in the last three years?

Since Ekiti State people chose Governor Ayodele Fayose to govern them right from his first tenure in 2003, I don’t think the people have regretted ever voting for him. In his first term in office, he was able to commence add and complete the dualisation of the township roads in the capital city of Ado Ekiti. It was obvious that his good works made it easy for him to be re-elected in 2014. Since then, he has surpassed the achievements of anybody, either military or civilian who had at one time of the other governed the state.  Fayose built the state-owned Fountain Hotel; dualised the Ado-Ikere Ekiti road; expanded the Ilawe Ekiti, Ijero Ekiti and Ikere Ekiti township roads and built the only computer village in Ado Ekiti. Even with the meagre resources, particularly its low internally generated revenue (IGR), Governor Fayose embarked on the construction of the ultra-modern Oba market in Ado Ekiti. This is a market that has about 400 shops, with a park that can contain so many cars. I want to also commend the governor for constructing a flyover from Fajuyi area of the town to ease the flow of traffic in the state capital. The government has also been able to empower many of the local artisans, by patronising them. The government’s efforts in the educational sector have also started yielding fruit, as the results of Ekiti students have greatly improved in both WAEC and NECO examinations. Fayose has also done well in the area of internal security, where this government made efforts to checkmate external forces from disturbing the peace of the state. In all of these, Governor Fayose still remains one of the most criticised governors in the country. He is also one of the very few that criticises the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. Most times, this has made him incur the wrath of many Nigerians. He has constantly remained a vociferous critic of the Buhari-led government. In all of these, I think the government of Fayose needs to improve in areas such as agriculture, tourism, sports and IGR.

What can we say about his critics?

Those who criticise Fayose have done well. Their constant criticism has made him more popular; it spurs him to deliver more on the dividends of democracy. The constant criticism propels him to constantly be on his toes, in order to improve on the lots of the people. I must also state that some critics are sometimes sentimental, because they are not from the governor’s political party. Thus, some of the criticisms are politically motivated. In the midst of these criticisms, some of us still give kudos to both the critics and the criticised, because, if all are done without bias, it is still part of our democratic process.

What is your take on Fayose’s endorsement of his deputy?

Let me tell you, endorsement is part and parcel of our entire lives. In traditional setting, kingmakers have the right to endorse who becomes the next king in a town or kingdom. In a church, a sitting general overseer or the church’s parochial council or board of trustees has the right to endorse who becomes the next general overseer. In the corporate world, the founder of a company has the right to either nominate or endorse who becomes the next managing director of the company. Look, endorsement has been and will ever remain part of our democratic culture or corporate existence. Now back to the endorsement of Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka, there is still a time for primary elections, which I believe will take place in April this year and I want to implore other aspirants to work very hard with the delegates who will vote during the primary. I have been involved in observing the politics of the state for a very long time. Let me inform you that a former governor, Chief Segun Oni, did not win the primary of the PDP. He came fourth in the primary held at Trade Fair Complex, Ado Ekiti. Chief Yinka Akerele came first and Prof. Ojo came second, but the party leadership gave the ticket to Oni, after so much energy and time had been exerted in the selection or election process. Heaven did not fall then. Some of the bigwigs now aspiring to contest against Prof. Eleka were very senior or influential party members then. I can boldly tell you that Ambassador Dare Bejide, Senator Biodun Olujimi, who are now raising eyebrows towards the 2018 governorship primary election, either ignorantly or intentionally or covertly refused to raise eyebrows then. While I still believe that Governor Fayose has the right to endorse anyone he prefers as his successor, and Professor Eleka’s co-aspirants too have the moral rights to contest, I want to implore all of them to desist from acts that could ignite violence in the process. Ekiti State is for all of us and we must all join hands to put the state on the path of progress and development.

Is the PDP ready for 2019?

Nigerians voted for the APC in 2015 in order to bring about the promised change. As things are now, it is evident that Nigerians are not impressed with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and this is energising the PDP to make moves to regain power. The PDP as a party is getting set to regain the lost territories. The first step was the recently held national convention which produced Chief Uche Secondus as the National Chairman of the party. Though there were some grievances after the convention, it is normal in Nigerian democracy. It is a plus that the party held an open election and people campaigned, people voted and a winner emerged. The party has put a reconciliation body in place and the process is achieving results.