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Tag: Governor Ayo Fayose

  • Teargassing: Fayose’s easing tension with comedy – Lawyer

    Human rights lawyer, Morakinyo Ogele, has said Governor Ayo Fayose was treating the people of Ekiti State to a “huge dose of comedy” over the alleged teargassing incident on Wednesday.

    Ogele said the entire script was developed, produced written and acted by Fayose to blackmail the Federal Government, the Nigeria Police and the Inspector General of Police.

    The National Coordinator of Ekiti Redemption Group who spoke in a telephone chat with our reporter on Wednesday described Fayose as a master in playacting and simulation to deceive members of the public.

    Read Also:Ekiti 2018: Ignore Fayose’s antics, he is a clown, says Adeyeye

    He said Fayose deliberately arranged the “comedy show” to be broadcast live on two prominent television stations wondering why the governor emerged from the hospital to address the crowd when the live broadcast was on.

    Ogele urged Ekiti people to expect more drama from the governor before and after election.

    He said: “What happened yesterday was a comedy produced by Fayose Theatre Group. I think there is tension in respect of the election to be held on 14th July.

    “He just produced this comedy to water down the tension in Ekiti State so that the people could laugh. At this moment, people have forgotten about the election in order to watch him on stage.

    “In 2006, he (Fayose) drove to the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, shot his vehicle and ran to the Press Centre in Lagos that he was being pursued by hired assassins.

    “We thank God that we did not pay a kobo to watch this drama, we expect him to produce more play before the forthcoming election.

    “We are expecting him on 14th of July to produce a play so that people will go to polling centres well entertained ahead of the time they will exercise their franchise.”

  • Adeyeye: Ekiti people poorer under Fayose

    …Says Fayemi will give them succour

    Former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has berated Governor Ayo Fayose for alleged lack of vision and inflicting hardship and poverty on the people of Ekiti State.

    Adeyeye said Ekiti people are poorer under Fayose because the governor abandoned human capital development programmes of his immediate predecessor in office who is now the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Speaking on a special interview programme on Voice 89.9 FM, Ado-Ekiti, Adeyeye urged the electorate to reject Fayose’s anointed candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola.

    Adeyeye urged the electorate in Ekiti State to vote Fayemi, whom he said has a genuine vision to make life better for the people and develop the Fountain of Knowledge.

    He said a vote for Olusola is a vote for continuation of poverty, hardship, misery, hunger, lack of focus and placing Ekiti in Fayose’s grip after he might have left office.

    Adeyeye, who defected to the APC on May 29, accused Fayose of playing games with the state treasury and lack of accountability.

    The former minister said Fayose has failed to declare the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) despite various forms of taxes imposed on the people of the state.

    Those reeling under tax burden, according to Adeyeye include owners of small, medium and large scale businesses, artisans, civil servants, tertiary institution workers and pupils in nursery, primary and secondary schools.

    Read Also:Akeredolu to Fayose: you can’t stop me from election campaign in Ekiti

    According to Ise-Ekiti born politician, Fayose’s alleged draconian laws have driven investors away while many businesses are folding up on daily basis.

    He criticized alleged plots by the Fayose administration to poison the minds of Ekiti people against the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Adeyeye assured teachers and civil servants of job security and better welfare packing saying Fayemi has no plan to sack them as being alleged by Fayose and Olusola.

    According to him, it was hypocritical for Fayose who claims to be a friend of workers and teachers to be owing them several arrears of salaries with a good number of them dying because of lack of money to take care of themselves.

    He said: “Fayose is a liar and a noise maker, Fayemi will never sack any civil servants in Ekiti, teacher, local government worker, he will even employ more workers into the civil service.

    “Fayose, who called himself a friend of workers, presently owes workers between six and nine months’ salary.

    “Fayemi paid workers regularly and he did not owe any workers salary during his first term. Fayose is a liar, he always lied against Fayemi.”

    Adeyeye disclosed that an APC government, when elected, have plans to revive the income generating business ventures allegedly abandoned by Fayose which he said would provide more jobs.

    Attesting to the competence of Fayemi to turn around the fortunes of Ekiti if elected, Adeyeye said his (Fayemi’s) second tenure would usher in peace, prosperity and banishing poverty from the state.

    Reacting through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, Fayose said he was not surprised by Adeyeye’s outburst describing him as a spent force and a man still frustrated by his loss at the PDP primary to Olusola.

    Fayose boasted that Adeyeye and Fayemi will meet their waterloo at the July 14 governorship election describing the two APC men as “birds of the same father who cannot win election anywhere.”

    “The duo are birds of same feather, flocking together. They never won any credible election in their lives. So, they cannot appreciate credible election.

    “Has Fayemi ever won any election in Ekiti State? No. Even the primary election of the then Action Congress that preceded the 2007 general elections was manipulated to favour him.

    “By joining the APC, Adeyeye has taken a wrong step he would regret later. Adeyeye too has no history of winning election.

    “In 1999, as Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate, he lost to PDP’s Gbenga Aluko. It was only Adeyeye that lost his senatorial election to a People’s Democratic Party candidate in the South West. In the primary of the Action Congress in 2006, he lost and in protest he defected to
    the PDP.

    “His profile has only been boosted with political appointments rather than election.

    “He was appointed the Chairman of Ekiti SUBEB under a PDP- led government. By God’s grace, I was instrumental to his appointment as a minister under President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “I later appointed him the Chairman of the Governing Council of Ekiti State University. I also got him the position of the National Publicity Secretary of our party, now he is claiming to be what he is not.”

  • Ekiti May Day boycott: Fayose’s aide threatens The Nation reporter’s life

    Apparently rattled by the report of the poor attendance of workers at the May Day rally held in Ekiti State on Tuesday, an aide to Governor Ayo Fayose, Lere Olayinka, has been threatening the life of THE NATION reporter in the state, Odunayo Ogunmola.

    Olayinka, in posts on his Facebook wall and WhatsApp portal branded the report “an enemy of Ekiti State government” and accused him of being “politically biased.”

    The governor’s aide was reacting to the story of the massive boycott of the May Day rally held at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium on Tuesday by majority of workers.

    The story’s online version was headlined: “Ekiti Workers Shun May Day Rally.” The story has the following riders: “Labour Leader: Workers Are Hungry” and Fayose Promotes 40,000 Workers.”

    Ogunmola reported in the story that: “Out of the two covered terraces in the stadium, only one was filled by union leaders and officials mobilized to participate in the march past while the other one was sparsely filled.

    He also added in the report that all the uncovered terraces, otherwise known as popular side, were empty throughout the ceremony.

    The Chairman of the state council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ade Adesanmi, said in his address that “the workers are hungry” urging Fayose to pay the arrears owed them.

    Olayinka in his posts reproduced a picture taken by Ogunmola with the state Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Comrade Sola Adigun, in which he (Olayinka) pointed a red arrow at The NATION reporter.

    The action, Ogunmola said, was aimed at exposing his life to danger and possible elimination, considering the tense political situation of the state.

    Olayinka, also in the Facebook posts released Ogunmola’s number to the public in which he urged members of the public to occupy the reporter’s telephone line.

    Earlier in the day at about 11.25 hours, Ogunmola received phone calls from anonymous persons threatening his life on the May Day story with the following numbers: 07037352506, 08032110982.

    Fayose’s media aide had in January called Ogunmola through his phone and issued threats on the story about the state debt profile as released by the Debt Management Office (DMO), Abuja.

    Olayinka was fond of threatening reporters both in the print and electronic media on stories the state government find offensive.

    Ogunmola later on Wednesday petitioned to the State Director, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command.

    The reporter also petitioned the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

    Attached to the petition are print-outs of the Facebook and WhatsApp posts of Olayinka against the reporter.

  • Ekiti 2018: CNPP cautions monarchs on zoning

    The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in Ekiti State has cautioned traditional rulers on their insistence that the next governor must come from Ekiti South senatorial district.

    The body contended that “all parties should be encouraged to follow their constitutions so that the best can emerge from each party so that Ekiti will choose the best of the best.”

    The traditional rulers who rose from a meeting with Governor Ayo Fayose at the weekend vowed to “mobilize their subjects to vote against any political party that fields governorship candidate from outside Ekiti South.”

    The CNPP in a statement on Tuesday by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Deacon Olu Akomolafe, said although the Obas have the freedom to air their views but they must not throw stones.

    The statement said: “Ekiti is homogeneous, unlike many other states in Nigeria. Ikere is the next town to Ado while going to Akure so the thin line between Central and South is the bounding between the two ancient towns.

    “Any formula that will make an Ekiti man see one as his kinsmen as against the other should be rejected in its entirety. Whether the governor comes from Central, North or South, CNPP is of the opinion that it is sure that he will be an Ekiti person.

    “Our condition is that he or she should must be capable of all ending the present sufferings of Ekiti people. He or she should be a type that will give us the good things of life like good roads, potable water, jobs for our youth, salary as and when due, among others.

    “CNPP does not wish to imply that Ekiti South cannot produce the next governor. They can, but the selection must be subjected to a standard that is general and not restricted to just one area of the entire state.”

    In a related development, the Ekiti Oke Renaissance Group has urged traditional rulers in Ekiti State to be watchful against being used as cannon fodders ahead of the governorship election.

    A statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday by the group’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr. Olusegun Osinkolu expressed disappointment with the action of the monarchs.

    Osinkolu expressed shock that the Obas could be cajoled by anybody to believe that he can use them for sinister purpose to reach an unacceptable end.

    He condemned the attempt by Governor Ayo Fayose to disrupt the ongoing political activities by recruiting the Obas to cause political disharmony among the electorate.

    Osinkolu maintained that it was wrong for the governor to tell the monarchs to reject aspirants from any zone apart from the South saying such an action is “undemocratic and violates the fundamental human rights of voters.”

    “The choice of who becomes the governor is the prerogative of the electorate. Mr. Fayose should please excuse the palace from desecration,” Osinkolu concluded.

    Read Also: Ekiti 2018: Buhari grants Fayemi leave for guber race

  • Jonathan inaugurates Ekiti flyover tomorrow

    Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan will, tomorrow, inaugurate the Ado-Ekiti Flyover, Governor Ayo Fayose has said.

    He spoke yesterday at a rally by commercial motorcyclists from the 16 councils in support of Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola.

    Overwhelmed by their solidarity, Olusola said: “I will not ban Okada riders from plying Ekiti roads when I become governor.”

    Fayose condemned a statement allegedly credited to President Muhammadu Buhari that youths were lazy.

    He urged youths to vote out All Progressives Congress (APC) next year.

    The governor said youths and women constituted huge votes, regretting that a President could allegedly utter a statement disparaging the younger generation.

    He said Buhari promised to create three million jobs, but criticised him for allegedly deriding the youth rather than creating jobs.

    Fayose said: “When you stand here, we see the category of people here, they are mostly young people. Our President went abroad and said Nigerian youths are lazy. By 2019, we have to vote against the President. You must vote for people who believe in youths, not people who condemn and call youths lazy persons.

    “Elections are won by youths and women in Nigeria. How can our President go abroad and condemn our youths? They promised three million jobs every year, they did not provide one. Anybody that calls you lazy people must be removed.

    “We believe in you, we will stand by you and support you. We will inaugurate the flyover on April 25. Jonathan will come to inaugurate the bridge. Jonathan is my own president.”

    Olusola said: “I will not ban Okada from plying Ekiti roads, if I become the governor. Those who will chase you away from the roads must not become governor. When they were in government, they messed up our economy and left a huge debt.

    “We must not let them come back. APC is cancerous. We must not allow their cancer to infect us. They have dismissed the flyover, but it has not only beautified Ado- Ekiti, it will also herald development.”

    Chairman of the Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association in Ekiti State Niyi Dahunsi said they held the rally in support of Olusola “to enable the good work continue.”

    He said: “We have tasted other governments, but none has done well as this one. This is why we are not ashamed to troop to the streets in solidarity with Olusola.

    “Over 10,000 motorcycle riders, mostly youths, have resolved to support the deputy governor so he can continue from where Governor Fayose will stop.”

  • Ado-Ekiti residents tackle Fayose, stop demolition of shrines

    The ongoing demolition of structures in Ado-Ekiti by Governor Ayo Fayose in his urban renewal drive took a dramatic dimension on Friday as angry residents resisted the demolition of some shrines and sacred trees.

    During the pandemonium, adherents of the deities of the shrines almost attacked the members of the demolition squad but the intervention of armed security men deployed to the scene saved the day.

    The residents of neighbourhoods in the Oja Oba area insisted that the shrines would never give way for the urban renewal exercise which they said was done in bad faith by the government.

    They had mobilized themselves on sighting two bulldozers deployed to pull down the two shrines in the vicinity.

    The Ogun shrine and the Ejeye Oka Ere shrine are located in the court of the Arowa of Ado-Ekiti.

    Armed security men were mobilized to the scene and entrance to the Ewi’s Palace to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

    The protest led to temporary suspension of work on the shrines and the sacred trees.

    But the locals remained at the scene raining curses and pouring invectives on the government for the action they described as “desecration of tradition which will have dire consequences.”

    The latest demolition operation which started on Thursday saw at least four corpses exhumed from where they were buried which angered the deceased’s family members.

    The remains of the dead had been relocated elsewhere.

    Total number of seven graves were marked for demolition which had sparked tension with family members always keeping vigil awaiting the demolition squad.

    A relation of one of the deceased who craved anonymity alleged that the compensation reportedly paid by the government did not cover the exhumation of the corpses and dismantling of the shrines.

    Houses, shops and makeshift structures adjacent the palace of the Ewi was brought down by government bulldozers on Thursday.

    A cold war erupted between the governor and the people of Ado-Ekiti over the latest demolition which led to a face-off with the Ewi, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe at his palace about three weeks ago.

    The state government claimed it had paid a total of N400m as compensation to people whose houses were demolished so far in the ongoing demolition exercise in the state.

    The government, however, was silent on those whose properties were to be demolished in the latest exercise.

    Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Mr. Tayelolu Otitoju who disclosed this said that the exercise did not affect Ado Ekiti alone.

    According to him, more than 300 houses had so far been demolished under the exercise in Ado, Ikere, Efon Alaaye, Omuo,  Ise, Emure and Ijero, among other major towns.

    He explained further that government embarked on the project to ease traffic congestion, adhere to urban policy expected of any civilized society especially Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    Otitoju added that government would not compensate owners of demolished houses that were built on waterways and setbacks.

    Read Also: Fayose, Ewi row over demolition in Ado-Ekiti

  • Imposition: Former Ekiti deputy governor Lawal quits PDP

    Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sikiru Tae Lawal, has joined the ever-increasing list of prominent politicians dumping the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    The Nation learnt on Wednesday that Lawal’s exit was triggered by the decision of Governor Ayo Fayose to impose his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola as “the sole candidate” for the July 14 governorship poll.

    Lawal said the decision to quit the PDP was hinged on “the available fact that the list of delegates to vote at the primary has been doctored in favour of Olusola.”

    However, the ex-deputy governor did not reveal the political party he would join with his supporters ahead of the governorship poll.

    He has also resigned as non-Executive Director representing Ekiti State on the board of Odu’a Investment Limited, a business conglomerate owned by the six Southwest states.

    Lawal served as Deputy Governor between May 29, 2007 and October 15, 2010 under former Governor Segun Oni.

    The Ado-Ekiti born politician is the third deputy governor to leave PDP in the last one year over alleged autocracy, subversion of party constitution and imposition of candidates by Fayose.

    Former deputy governors who had left PDP are Chief Abiodun Aluko and Chief Adebisi Omoyeni, who had joined Mega Party of Nigeria and Social Democratic Party (SDP) to pursue their governorship ambition.

    In a letter dated April 3, 2018 and addressed to the PDP Chairman in Ward 9, Ado Ekiti, Mr. Tope Makanjuola , Lawal said his resignation took effect from the date he communicated same to the party.

    The letter entitled: ‘Withdrawal of Membership’ reads: “Reference to above, I wish to inform you that I, Sikiru Tae Lawal with membership number 2620001 registered at Ward 9, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State wish to withdraw my membership of your party, PDP effective from today, Tuesday, 3rd April 2018.”

    In the letter to the Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Limited, a copy of which was sent to Governor Fayose, Lawal said: “I wish to notify you of my intention to resign my appointment as a non-executive Director representing Ekiti State on the board of Odu’a investment Company Limited with effect from 1st May, 2018.

    “I wish to thank the Ekiti State governor and the good people of Ekiti State for the opportunity given me to serve on the board. I also appreciate the cooperation of my colleagues and staff of Odu’a during my stay”, he stated.

    Lawal said he decided to take such a far reaching decision to afford him the opportunity to be able to defend his political interest and that of his people in another party.

    He added: “Whatever you do in politics, you do it for yourself and your people. It seems PDP no longer needs us, because the processes leading to our primary have been badly manipulated in favour of an aspirant.

    “The message was clear that there is no level playing ground again in our party and there is no point wasting time in a party that has lost its bearing, because the PDP is no longer the people’s choice, it has lost its goodwill due to pervasive impunity in the system.

    “The PDP supposed to be a democratic party, but this is not the case. I am not over ambitious but I have no choice than to leave when someone has said your services are no longer needed.”

    When asked the party he would adopt to contest for the election, Lawal said: “I am consulting with my people. I consulted them before taking this action and I believe we must come together to agree on the platform to be adopted.”

    Read Also: Fayose’s excesses will spell doom for PDP in Ekiti – Oni

  • Fayose moves to establish ‘local EFCC’ in Ekiti

    Fayose moves to establish ‘local EFCC’ in Ekiti

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has proposed the establishment of a local anti-corruption agency to tackle graft, embezzlement, fraud and abandoned projects.

    The House of Assembly yesterday committed the State Economic Crimes Commission (Establishment) Bill 2018 to its Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption for further legislative action.

    The bill has passed second reading at plenary presided over by Speaker Kola Oluwawole.

    It was forwarded to the Assembly by Fayose as an Executive Bill.

    House leader Tunji Akinyele said the bill would halt diversion of funds and eradicate economic crimes.

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Dr. Samuel Omotoso, condemned incessant harassment of state officials by Economic and Finance Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He argued that the 1999 Constitution  (as amended) states the functions of state legislatures on finances.

    The lawmaker recalled that a judgment of a Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti barred the EFCC from intruding into finances of states.

    The member representing Ikole II, Mrs. Titilayo Owolabi-Akerele, noted that the bill will check Internet fraudsters, called “Yahoo Yahoo boys” in Ekiti State.

    Oluwawole described the bill as timely, saying it would lay a foundation as well as improve good governance in the state.

    He urged the joint committees and other members to ensure speedy passage of the bill.

    The Speaker hailed Fayose for introducing the bill, adding that only a transparent leader could take such a step.

    Also, a bill to provide for the appointment of an official in the Office of the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary and other matters connected therewith, 2018, passed the first reading yesterday.

  • Fayose rallies Ekiti against Herdsman invasion

    Fayose rallies Ekiti against Herdsman invasion

    …urges all-round patrol in Communities

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose on Wednesday rallied local hunters against possible invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Sounding the battle cry against while hosting the hunters at the Government House pavilion, Fayose alleged that intelligence report available to him revealed that “Bororo” herdsmen have surreptitiously

    entered the state.

    Fayose who wore a camouflage shirt, a pair of trousers and a fez cap to match “to reflect the mood of the nation” urged the hunters to go back home and defend the people. Apart from the local hunters, others who showed up at the forum are the Agbekoyas, vigilance groups, the Tivs, Idomas and Igedes from Benue State who are resident in Ekiti.

    The event was highlighted by intermittent firing of gun shots, whistling and songs by the hunters. Fayose who sympathized with the people of Benue State where scores have been killed by suspected herdsmen, vowed that he would not allow his people to be slain as done in the Northcentral State.

    The Ekiti governor claimed that the alleged plan to invade Ekiti was to make the state ungovernable ahead of the July 14 governorship
    election. Fayose said the situation in Benue and Taraba States has shown that “President Buhari lacks the capacity to protect Nigerians.”

    He said: “I have received letters that the Bororos have entered our reserves, they want to violate our laws. I want to call on the attention of the Federal Government that they have come and wanted to kill men, women and kids in Ekiti.

    “We will not allow that to happen here in Ekiti; I want you all our hunters to go back today to protect your people. Be vigilant, open your eyes and make sure that everybody entering the state is screened.

    “No one in the guise of grazing should enter our land after 8.00 pm. Four our brothers who harbour criminals, tell them Ekiti is a no-go area. If your plan is to make this state ungovernable, you are wasting your time.

    “I have called thois meeting for everyone to be vigilant; I will begin to support you now to secure Ekiti. Don’t let them take you by surprise, don’t allow them to take Ekiti by storm.

    “Go to the farms and keep vigil; don’t just entertain visitors that come in the night, screen them. We don’t want visitors in our reserves at 8.00 pm.”

    Fayose added: “This (camouflage) dressing is done to charge our hunters to secure the state. I saw pictures of the killings (in Benue) and I wonder if those were human beings.

    “I asked the question if people could be that picked to kill human beings that way; they will find no peace. It is no tribal killings but
    that of mindless people.

    “The blood of the departed will find those people and they won’t know peace. It is the duty of the Federal Government to protect its people. We are not protected.

    “We have never had it so bad; people must come to leadership with conscience. The Federal Government should have sent the Army and not
    the Police.

    “Governor (Samuel) Ortom should fasten his belt and protect his people. Those seeking for help in Abuja would not find because Abuja also needs help. I sympathise with you (Benue) people and nobody will kill you. You are all safe here.”

    Fayose also gave out telephone hot lines through which people who noticed strange movements can call for urgent attention.

  • Ekiti: Four PDP guber aspirants rise against Fayose

    Ekiti: Four PDP guber aspirants rise against Fayose

    Four Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants in Ekiti State have called on the national leadership of the party to disqualify Governor Ayo Fayose from playing any role in the primary election scheduled for April.

    They said the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Prince Uche Secondus should disqualify Fayose having adopted his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, which they said amounted to the imposition on party leaders and members.

    The concerned aspirants at a news conference they addressed on Tuesday claimed that there was no time Olusola showed interest in ruling the state adding that “Fayose saw him as a weakling that can be manipulated against the interest of Ekiti people.”

    The four governorship hopefuls accused Fayose of unilateral imposition of Olusola, using state apparatus to promote him, intimidation and harassment of party members loyal to other aspirants, arbitrariness and one-man dictatorship.

    The alleged imposition of Olusola by Fayose, they said, has led to indifference and exodus of leaders and members expressing fear that the action may kill the party.

    The four aspirants who addressed reporters are former Minister of State for Works and immediate past PDP national spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye; Senate Minority Whip and former Deputy Governor, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi; former Secretary to the State Government and former High Commissioner to Canada, Ambassador Dare Bejide and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi.

    They also called for the dissolution of the state PDP executive committee led by Mr. Gboyega Oguntuase for allegedly betraying its expected neutrality calling for the constitution of a caretaker committee in its stead.

    The aspirants called for a strict adherence to the provisions of the Electoral Act and the PDP constitution in the process leading to the conduct of the primary and emergence of flag bearer for the July 14 governorship election.

    Adeyeye lampooned Fayose for allegedly carrying out persecution of other aspirants to “a ridiculous level” by ordering party members in all parts of the state to reject Christmas gifts they sent to them.

    Adeyeye said: “The candidate he (Fayose) has chosen for himself is not a person that can win the election in this state. When you display billboards and you are writing “Meet Your Next Governor” on them, you are putting yourself in the position of God and that is very annoying.

    “We will not leave the party for him because he sees himself as all-in-all but we know he is not all-in-all. The governor being an interested party must be put in his place and no advantage should be accorded (Olusola) Eleka.”

    Mrs. Olujimi said: “We have not come here to tear our party apart, all we are demanding for is a free and fair process that will lead to the emergence of a candidate.

    “Can anybody who wants to win the election for PDP wish us away? If anybody wants to wish us away in the party, the consequences will be grave.

    “The primary will ne held in few months and nothing has changed. This (Fayose) was the same man who opposed the use of consensus when he was contesting the last time.”

    Bejide said: “Section 50 (i), 50 (2) and 50 (2b) of the PDP constitution spells out how our candidate will emerge.

    “Imposition, impunity and arbitrary action of a sitting governor is definitely ruled out and we will surely enforce the provision of the law.

    “The governor and the State Working Committee has no role to play except they are co-opted by the national leadership.”

    Ajayi said: “The governor may claim that he has the right to support any aspirant of his choice but the deputy governor has not come out to say he wants to be governor.

    “What the deputy governor has said was that he wants to back to the university to continue lecturing. The govenor is forcing the Deputy Governor on us.

    “The so-called was a fraudulent act, an illegal action; I want to tell you that eighty percent of those working with him are with us. They are only working for the money they are earning.”