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Tag: Governor Ayo Fayose

  • Dasuki billions not illicit – Obanikoro

    A former Minister of State for defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro on Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that the N4.6billion sent to him from the Office of the National Security (ONSA) in 2014 was not illicit fund.

    He said he was worried the huge sums he received from former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) “for security purposes” were described as illicit.

    Obanikoro, the fifth prosecution witness, spoke at the continuation of his cross-examination in the trial of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose for money laundering.

    He said: “The NSA has the responsibility for coordination of security in the country.

    “He coordinates all the security agencies. Some of their operations are clandestine and are usually not documented.

    “It borders me as a person that clandestine operations of the NSA are described as illicit. It should worry every Nigerian. I am surprised that the current NSA can characterise the funds as illicit.

    “The local Joint Task Force on Boko Haram is still being funded by the NSA and the operation started under our watch,” Obanikoro, who served under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, said.

    The former minister was cross-examined by Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), counsel for Fayose’s company and co-accused, Spotless Limited.

    The lawyer said: “I suggest to you that the funds from ONSA were not illicitly obtained.”

    Obanikoro responded: “To the best of my knowledge.”

    The former minister said he had been reporting at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) once a month since 2016.

    Asked why there was a two-year gap between two of his statements tendered in court, Obanikoro said: “They gave me administrative bail. One of the conditions is to report at the office once a month.

    “It was during one of such visitations on October 8 last year that I made the last statement after I made the one of October 19, 2016.

    “EFCC is investigating me based on a petition by the NSA that N4.6billion was sent to an account operated by me without proper documentation.

    “I’ve been reporting at EFCC monthly since 2016 and I have not been discharged from the administrative bail.

    “It is correct that I am being investigated for having been privy to illicit transfer of funds. The allegation has not been withdrawn.”

    Obanikoro said there was no contract between NSA and Taiwo Kareem who he said owned Sylvan Mcnamara Limited through which NSA transferred the funds.

    The former minister said he dealt with Diamond Bank, where the firm’s account was domiciled, on NSA’s behalf.

    “I gave instructions to Alex Otti (former Diamond Bank Managing Director) for the payment of N1.2billion.

    “The NSA never interacted with the bank. I gave verbal instructions to Diamond Bank.

    “I didn’t reduce it to writing because of the nature of the transactions. There was no written instruction for the release of N1.2billion.”

    Obanikoro said there was no written resolution by the board of Sylvan Mcnamara that he should operate the account.

    “The moment Sylvan Mcnamara decided to work with NSA for security purposes, it was agreed that I would supervise the account because of government funds in it. A verbal agreement was reached to that effect.

    “No, Fayose does not have any relationship with Sylvan Mcnamara,” he said in response to a question.

    Ojo then asked Obanikoro: “Are you aware that two of your children – Gbolahan Obanikoro and Babajide Obanikoro – were signatories to Sylvan Mcnamara’s account?”

    Obanikoro said: “Yes, they were signatories to the account prior to the operation in 2014. My children have relationships with the company. I also have a relationship with the company.”

    Ojo asked: “You had known Sylvan Mcnamara long before you recommended it to NSA?”

    Obanikoro replied: “Of course.”

    Ojo asked: “You recommended Sylvan Mcnamara because of your interest in the company?”

    Obanikoro replied: “That’s preposterous. I was in charge of security when I was Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos. I knew the owner of the company then as a skillful security operative.

    “When the opportunity came, I didn’t hesitate to recommend him to the NSA. The company account went through three phases of ownership.”

    Asked why there were no documentations for most of the transactions on the account, he said: “As a corporate citizen, the bank had a responsibility to support the activities of security operations by government institutions.

    Read Also: Obanikoro: no record of cash collected from Dasuki for Fayose

    “If you work in security operations, you will see worst things. And it’s all over the world, not only in Nigeria.”

    The former minister admitted that one of the directors of Sylvan Mcnamara, Ikenna Ezekwe, lived with him in his Parkview Estate, Ikoyi home for several years before he left.

    On how much was paid to the account in total, the witness said: “About 4.7billion was paid to Sylvan Mcnamara’s account from ONSA.”

    Fayose is on trial for allegedly receiving and keeping N1.2billion and $5million allegedly stolen from ONSA contrary to the Money Laundering Act.

    He had pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on an 11-count charge last October 22.

    EFCC said Fayose and Biodun Agbele, who is facing a different charge, allegedly took possession of N1,219,000, 000 on June 17, 2014 to fund the former governor’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

    The commission said Fayose “reasonably ought to have known” that the money “formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

    EFCC said Fayose, on the same day, received cash payment of $5million from Obanikoro, without going through a financial institution, the sum having exceeded the amount authorised by law.

    EFCC listed Obanikoro as one of 22 witnesses that will testify in the trial, which continues today.

  • Fayose to EFCC: meet me in my office on September 20

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he will be in his office tomorrow in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, for the agency to interrogate him.

    In a letter, dated September 14, the governor urged the anti-graft agency to wait till October 16, when his tenure and immunity will expire, if it cannot deploy its interrogators to Ado-Ekiti tomorrow.

    He criticised the EFCC for writing the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other security agencies to place him on the watch-list to prevent him from escaping from the country.

    Fayose contended that the action of the EFCC raised a serious question about its impartiality, neutrality and independence.

    The governor stressed that if the commission cannot wait till October 16, the first day after the expiration of his tenure, “without prejudice to Section 308 of the Constitution, I will be willing to answer questions from your team of investigators, should they be willing to meet me in my office in Ado-Ekiti on September 20”.

    He reminded the EFCC that “in 2007, precisely on December 19, I willingly presented myself for EFCC investigation at your Lagos office”.

    Fayose said: “There is, therefore, nothing new or strange in my letter of September 10, which has been received and treated in bad faith and taste. I thought I was assisting due and fair process of law.

    “As a responsible citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who currently enjoys immunity under Section 308 of the Constitution, it would amount to a breach of the Constitution, which I swore to uphold, if I appear in your office on any date earlier than October 16.

    “If done otherwise, it will set a wrong precedent for the constitutional institution that I represent.

    “I carefully chose that date (October 16), being the next day after the expiration of my tenure upon which the immunity I enjoy will lapse, to avoid any form of insinuation and was in good faith.

    “While drafting my response to yours of September 14, my attention was drawn to your widely publicised letter of September 12 to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service and similar agencies, directing them to watch-list and arrest me on the imagination that I might leave Nigeria to escape investigation.

    “It has finally put in context your commission’s hurriedly deleted online statement vide EFCC Nigeria @Official EFCC a day after the Ekiti governorship election, that: ‘The parri is over; the clock of immunity turns apart, and the staff broken. Ekiti Integrated Poultry Project/Biological Concepts Limited N1.3 billion fraud case file dusted off the shelves. See you soon’.

    “Your commission, by its actions, no doubt has presumed my ‘guilt’ even prior to the commencement of ‘investigation’. This raises serious question about the impartiality, independence or neutrality of the commission in the matter.

    “I feel harassed, intimidated and embarrassed by the imputation of crime and the innuendos of criminality underlining your correspondence, which has been maliciously circulated widely. This, in all, implies a case of persecution rather than prosecution.

    “While I have handed a copy of your letter to my solicitors for a careful study and advice, let me state here for the records that there is nothing about me or my antecedents, as a long standing public figure, to justify the commission’s action. I have never been a coward or criminal…”

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

    Some indigenes of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Thursday took to the streets to protest against Governor Ayo Fayose’s decision to sell shops in the uncompleted Erekesan (Oba’s) Market.

    The protesters described the Oba’s Market as their heritage which cannot be sold off warning the governor to pull the brakes on the plan to sell the shops.

    Besides, they contended that control of market is under the jurisdiction of the local government and not the state government wondering the alleged haste with which the governor wanted to sell the market before exiting office.

    Read Also:Fayose’s offer to surrender to EFCC diversionary, says APC

    They alleged that the governor’s decision to sell the market to buyers was a unilateral one and not done in consultation with Ado-Ekiti indigenes condemning the price of N2 million per shop demanded by the governor which they said was too exorbitant for poor market women.

    The protest was organized by Ado Ewi Indigenes Rights Protection Forum and Ado-Ekiti Youth Coalition. The protesters held a big banner with inscription “Erekesin (Oja Oba) Market Not For Sale, Don’t Sell Ado Ewi Inheritance, Buyers Be Warned, Don’t Lose Your Money.”

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

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

    While noting that the protest became necessary to prevent Ado’s heritage from being traded off, Ogunleye who clarified that the protest had no political undertone, said market is an important
    heritage in Yoruba land which should not be toyed with.

    Ogunleye said: “Our stand is apolitical. We are protesting to preserve the heritage of Ado Ekiti indigenes with regards to Oba’s market. Virtually all over Africa, Nigeria in particular and Yoruba land in particular, Oba’s market are never sold. It can be leased, rented but
    they are not usually sold outright.

    “Again, control of such market is the constitutional rights of the Local Government and not that of the state, because it was a major factor in the internally generated revenue sources of the council.

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

    “They said people should come and pay as much as N2m before allocated shops, rather than allowing them to rent the place. Even those occupying the place were not given preferential treatment. Where would those just trying to make ends meet get N2 million?”

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

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

    “We are also pleading to government to return the market to the local government. We have tried to reach out to the local government to intervene but it was dragging feet on the issue, because it is part of the present government.

    “We are of the belief that the matter can be resolved now on the premise that those intending to purchase the market stalls had only paid for forms and not the stores, we believe commonsense can still prevail.

    “We are not blaming Governor Fayose for building the market, but we believe it was wrong for local traders to pay as much as N2m before being allocated shops. We expected the government to allow them to pay rent on the stores either yearly monthly,” he stated.

    The market, located in front of Ewi’s market and formerly being controlled by Ado Local Government, was demolished in 2016 by Fayose and rebuilt into an ultra-modern structure at the cost of about N3 billion.

  • Journalists barred as PDP Lawmakers hold ‘Secret’ sitting in Ekiti

    Fourteen People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members of Ekiti State House of Assembly on Thursday considered and approved the N10 billion supplementary budget request of Governor Ayo Fayose.

    The PDP lawmakers, led by Speaker Kola Oluwawole, arrived the Assembly complex at 12.05 pm and sat for about one hour inside the hallowed chambers before they passed the supplementary appropriation bill into law.

    Read Also:Kogi PDP in crisis over Melaye’s ‘automatic ticket’

    But the All Progressives Congress (APC) Assembly caucus has rejected the passage of the N10 billion supplementary budget with about a month to Fayose’s exit from power.

    The APC lawmakers led by the Minority Leader, Gboyega Aribisogan (Ikole 1), described the action as a “ploy by Fayose to legitimize fraud which will be resisted through legal and constitutional means.”

    Journalists were barred from covering the sitting which was held behind closed doors.

    The PDP lawmakers were joined by the Clerk, Mr. Tola Esan and two legislative officers in conducting the sitting.

    The PDP lawmakers who were part of the closed door session include Oluwawole (Moba 1), Sina Animasaun (Ekiti West 2), Samuel Omotoso (Oye 1), Samuel Jeje (Ido/Osi 2), Tope Fasanmi (Ado 2), Dayo Akinleye (Ijero) and Wale Onigiobi (Ekiti Southwest 1).

    The rest are Dare Pelemo (Ekiti East 2), Cecilia Dada (Ilejemeje), Musa Arogundade (Ado 1), Sanya Aladeyelu (Irepodun/Ifelodun 2), Olayode Omotoso (Ido/Osi 1), Dele Fajemilehin (Gbonyin) and Olanrewaju Olayanju (Emure).

    A source said: “Today’s secret sitting by the 14 lawmakers loyal to the governor is an illegal one because the bill passed through the first, second and third reading under one hour which negates legislative procedure and norms.

    “There is no way a bill just presented will pass through the first, second and third reading and passed in one day because after the second reading, it will go to the committee state before being returned to the committee of the whole before entering the third reading.

    “Some senior legislative officers were summoned to attend but they stayed away because they knew this kind of sitting is illegal and they know they don’t want to be part of illegality.”

    Reacting, Aribisogan said: “The APC lawmakers and some members are not in support of the bill because it has been discovered that the outgoing governor wanted to use the House to legitimise fraud.

    “The proposed Appropriation Bill is the handiwork of Governor Fayose and his cronies to cover up massive fraud in some Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).

    “The Appropriation Bill is not meant to improve the lives of our people in the state but to cover up some unapproved spending of the Governor. It is a fraudulent Bill to cover fraudulent spending. That’s why the governor wanted the bill to be passed without proper scrutiny.

    “The Appropriation Committee did not sit on the Bill. The Bill was back dated to August 30 to give an impression that the Appropriation Committee had since been deliberating on the Bill.”

    The Speaker, Oluwawole was given the Bill last Friday when he was summoned to the Governor’s Lodge. As usual, he was given a marching order to call Hon Jeje Samuel, the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, to make a public statement on the Revised Budget.

    “The Progressives in the House” we are now the majority. We have met. We have resolved to boycott sittings on the dubious budget. We learnt they want to reopen the Assembly for one hour to pass the budget. We are waiting and watching.

    “It is ridiculous to hear that a government that has less than 32 days wants to spend 10 billion Naira. The governor is yet to tell us how he had managed the finances of this state.

    “We have not been told the position of the state IGR, but the executive wanted us to pass a budget. We shall resist this latest attempt by Fayose to further plunge Ekiti state into financial mess.”

  • Ekiti workers angry with Fayose over purchase of N75 million Jeep

    …NLC, TUC say governor insensitive to workers’ suffering

    Workers in Ekiti State are angry with Governor Ayo Fayose over the purchase of N75 million Lexus jeep 2018 model as a “parting gift” less than fifty days to exit from office.

    They also slammed the governor for alleged N43 million severance benefits for him and his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola.

    The state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) said the vehicle purchase and severance package was an act of insensitivity to the plight of the workers.

    Read Also:Fayose’s aide speaks on N75 million Lexus “parting gift”

    The unions wondered why a governor who has refused to pay backlog of salaries would be contemplating buying of exotic vehicle and paying himself severance as partying gifts.

    Government workers are owed between five and eight month arrears of salaries while retirees are owed about nine month arrears of pensions.

    In a joint statement on Friday signed by the state NLC Chairman, Mr. Ade Adesanmi and his TUC counterpart, Mr. Odunayo Adesoye, also described the “parting gifts” to Fayose and Olusola as “selfish.”

    The workers’ leaders said Fayose ought to have been concerned with how the backlog of arrears of workers’ salaries and retirees’ pensions will be paid.

    According to them, “there would be industrial crisis in the state, if the governor proceeded with his plans in paying himself and his Deputy that huge amount and purchasing the new vehicle.”

    The “If it is true that the state government has approved the purchase of N74million worth of vehicle as parting gift and N43 million severance package each for the governor and his deputy.

    “We stand to condemn it in its entirety, it is an act of selfishness and insensitive to the plight of workers and pensioners in Ekiti State.

    “If a government is owing workers several arrears of salaries and at this critical time that the state ought to have mopped up all its resources to ensure that the outstanding salary arrears and other
    entitlement are defrayed, that the governor as an individual is now clamouring for the payment of severance allowance and take away gift of N74 million Utility Sport Vehicle.

    “We call on the governor to desist from such act and look for a way to pay workers’ salaries and if government should go ahead with this action there will be industrial crisis in Ekiti state,” the union leaders said.

    On the allegations of illegal sale of state assets leveled against Fayose, Adesanmi said, “I don’t think that act is right.

    “We stand to condemn it as well, because if property has been existing for several years now and has not been sold by previous governments and you have just few weeks to exit and you are putting them up for sale.

    “It is condemnable and people buying that kind of property should know that this is not right, the incoming government would set up administrative panel to look into it.”

    When contacted for reaction, the Commissioner for Information in the state, Lanre Ogunsuyi said he had no comment on the allegations.

  • Dissolution of Ekiti Labour Unions can’t stand, says TUC boss

    Ekiti State Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Mr. Odunayo Adesoye, has said that the dissolution of all labour unions by some labour leaders and their supporters cannot stand.

    He described the dissolution of TUC, Nigeria Labour Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) as illegal, null and void which contravenes labour law as prescribed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

    Read Also:2019: INEC budget stuck as Senate won’t reconvene

    Adesoye also denied allegation that the labour leaders received N14 million from Governor Ayo Fayose to mobilize workers for his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, at the July 14 governorship election.

    He alleged that the ex-labour leaders who dissolved the unions and declared an indefinite strike were only trying to malign their personalities to gain recognition from the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Adesoye said: “I don’t think they have such power to dissolve an organized labour centres as former leaders. Only the national bodies could do such.

    “We have tried our best to ensure that the government paid outstanding salaries. We have not shirked our responsibilities, even the State Executive Council of NLC and TUC just passed vote of confidence in us.

    “It was very unfortunate that these leaders were trying to destroy the house that brought them up. We are trying our best to ensure that salaries are paid.

    “We are expecting government to reduce the outstanding to a reasonable level at the end of this month. So, the protest was in bad taste. The two what they wanted is political relevance.”

    On the allegation that they collected N14 million to mobilize for Fayose, Adesoye said: “It was blatant lie that we collected a sum of N14 million from Fayose, to do what?

    “It was a lie, blatant lie; they won’t succeed in this attempt to malign our personalities. Fayemi didn’t recognize them and they wanted it by force. I believe if they should get recognition, it has to be through a clean way.”

  • PDP alleges plot to impeach Fayose

    The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged plots by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to impeach Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State.

    A statement on Thursday by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, cautioned the sponsors of the alleged plot to desist or attract “dire consequences”.

    The PDP further alleged that the impeachment plot was being arranged in connivance with the Police, warning the development was a recipe for crisis in the state.

    Read Also:Kashamu blames Fayose’s ‘arrogance’ for PDP’s defeat

    The statement said, “The PDP is aware that the plot is a desperate bid by the APC to rush into the Ekiti Government House to remove and tamper with documents and evidence confirming the rigging of the July 14 governorship election, ahead of the sitting of the election tribunal.

    “Having realised that there is no way their daylight robbery at the poll can stand in the court, the APC is now employing all desperate means to subvert the course of Justice.

    “This explains why a detachment of the Police can be hurriedly deployed to besiege the Ekiti State Assembly Complex last night without a formal request by the Speaker, the Clerk or the Sergeant-at-Arms, who is the chief security officer of the complex.

    “The PDP states that any resort to underhand measures to impeach Fayose, without the constitutionally required 2/3 of the members of the House, particularly at this time, when the lawmakers are currently on their annual recess, will surely be resisted by our members”

    Accusing the APC of plotting crisis all over the nation and resorting to the use of harassment, intimidation and brute force against the people and democratic institutions, the PDP warned that the development portends grave danger for the nation.

    “Now that the political and parliamentary establishment of the Ekiti House of Assembly has loudly declared that they do not require the services of the detachment of policemen, PDP charges the APC to immediately withdraw their armed agents from the premises of the House of Assembly.

    “Finally, the PDP urges the judiciary to be firm in standing by the truth on the Ekiti election and not be cowed or intimidated by the threats and pressure coming from the APC.

    “Nigerians know the truth regarding the rigging of the Ekiti guber election by the APC and are now looking up to the judiciary for justice in the matter”, the statement added.

  • Fayemi: Ekiti situation has worsened in four years

    ….Urges Fayose to prioritize payment of salaries

    Ekiti State Governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has declared his readiness to tackle the multifarious problems confronting the Fountain of Knowledge.

    He said the fiscal, economic and social conditions of the state have worsened in the last four years urging the cooperation of the people to lift Ekiti out of the woods.

    Fayemi also advised the outgoing administration led by Governor Ayo Fayose to use 80 per cent of allocation to be received from the Federation Account to pay backlog of salary arrears owed workers before the October 16 handover.

    He made the remarks on Wednesday at the inauguration of the 32-member Transition Committee to facilitate the smooth transfer of power from the outgoing government to the incoming regime.

    The committee has former federal lawmaker, Senator Olu Adetunmbi as Chairman while retired Permanent Secretary, Mr. Deji Ajayi is the Secretary.

    Fayemi noted that the transition committee was composed of tested, trusted and experienced personalities whose expertise would be needed in key sectors as the state transits from one administration to another.

    The governor-elect appealed to the outgoing administration to cooperate with the committee in the interest of the people of the state and also urged civil servants to act in the interest of the people and not in the interest of any individual.

    Recognizing the enormity of the task ahead of him after inauguration in October, Fayemi said he and the deputy governor-elect, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, are not repositories of knowledge and don’t have all answers to Ekiti problems.

    He clarified that the Transition Committee should not been seen as the face of the cabinet of the incoming administration and they were not chosen to represent the interest of their council areas of origin.

    This, according to him, explains why the expertise, knowledge and experience of the eminent citizens of the state chosen to work in the committee will be needed to provide the direction of governance.

    Fayemi stressed that the recommendations of the committee will be far-reaching and serve as template to tackle the myriads of problems confronting Ekiti expressing dismay that the state had retrogressed in the last four years.

    He said: “Our situation has gotten worse since we left government; it seems as if we are starting from scratch. We must hit the ground running when we are sworn in on October 16.

    “We need to ameliorate the unfortunate situation our people have been put into. We have no reason to disappoint our people.

    “The debt profile is one of the areas the committee will look into, the Debt Management Office, I suspect, has given us underestimation (on the debt profile).”

    Fayemi added: “There is no reason why the outgoing administration should not cooperate with the transition committee.

    “I really like to appeal to the outgoing administration to prioritize salary payment to civil servants and pensioners.

    “The important thing now is, whatever that is coming to the state, 80 per cent of it should go into payment of the backlog of arrears of salaries. To me, that should be a priority.

    “Let me say this, neither my Deputy Governor-elect, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi and myself considered ourselves as having repository of knowledge or have answers to all Ekiti’s problems, so we are relying on your wealth of experiences.

    “In your report, tell us those things we should not lay our hands on at all. Also endeavour to indicate those things we can do to have immediate impact on our people when we assume office, which is the most important thing to the incoming government.

    “If you look at the configuration of this committee, we have more financial experts with deep knowledge of fiscal issues. There are four former Commissioners, because finance is the main thing in Ekiti on the premise that our situations have worsened than we left it on October 2014.

    “Our people are in serious mess, poverty has risen and we have to move fast and ameliorate their sufferings.

    “I want to appeal to the present government, particularly the Ekiti workers to cooperate with the committee in the spirit of patriotism. They should think more about Ekiti interest than that of any individual.

    “I see no reason why Fayose’s government would not want to cooperate with you, because this was what we did in 2014 and which the whole Nigeria commended”.

    Responding, committee chair Adetunmbi said the team was aware of the huge task before it and craved the cooperation of the outgoing administration.

    Adetunmbi said further: “We want to assure the good citizens of Ekiti State that we are not going to act as enemies or adversaries. We are going to be friendly and that we shall do for the benefit of our State.

    “We are coming as friends, not as enemies; we expect maximum cooperation from them so that the new government can start without any hiccup.”

  • Ekiti Election: INEC staff waiting at Fayose’s ward

    As the Ekiti guber election gets underway, INEC staff are waiting at ward 001, St. David’s Primary School, Maternity Area, Afao for Governor Ayo Fayose who is expected to cast his vote.

  • Observers commend Ekiti election

    Local observers monitoring the Ekiti election have expressed satisfaction in the way the election is going on. They said there was no cause to worry.

    They said INEC efforts so far were impressive.

    According to Mr. Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji there was a minor hitch in Are, the town before Afao, where some voters tried to attack some security personnel, who accused them of sharing money to voters.

    Read Also:http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/ekiti-election-igp-deploys-30000-personnel-250-patrol-vehicles-others/

    He said his prompt intervention saved the situation.

    Meanwhile security personnel have been ordering those who have voted to leave the venue immediately.

    Governor Ayo Fayose is still being expected at his ward 001, St. Davies Primary School, Afao.