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Tag: Governor Ayo Fayose

  • Arrest Fayose now, protesters tell EFCC

    Arrest Fayose now, protesters tell EFCC

  • Ex-Council Chairmen urges Fayose to obey court order

    Ex-Council Chairmen urges Fayose to obey court order

    Following the judgment of the Supreme Court on Friday which ordered all their 15 months salaries and emoluments to be paid, former local government chairmen in Ekiti State have urged Governor Ayo Fayose to obey the order without delay.

    The Supreme Court ordered the Ekiti State government to pay all the entitlements, allowances and emoluments of the council officials illegally removed in 2010.

    The apex court in a unanimous decision affirmed the January 2013 Court of Appeal decision on the matter and asked Ekiti government to comply with immediate effect.

    Spokesman for the former council chairmen, Hon. Adeleke Olasunkanmi Ogunbiyi, in a chat with our correspondent shortly after the verdict was delivered expressed joy that justice has been served at last.

    Ogunbiyi who served as chairman of Ikere Local Government said the Judiciary has once again risen in defence of the oppressed by giving them justice six years after they were removed from office on October 29, 2010 barely two years into their tenure.

    The former council bosses were elected at the December 20, 2008 local government election during the administration of former Governor Segun Oni but were removed by his successor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on grounds that the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) which conducted the poll was not properly constituted.

    But Ogunbiyi urged incumbent Governor Fayose to pay them their outstanding salaries and allowances in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the land.

    Ogunbiyi said: “We are happy that at last, justice has been done and we are all savouring it together. We still had 15 months to complete our tenure before our councils were dissolved and as law abiding citizens, we headed for the courts.

    “Although it took us six years before we got justice, we thank God that the Supreme Court has ruled in our favour. This is victory for democracy; it is also victory for the rule of law.

    “The judiciary has been the stabilizer of our democracy at it has consistently proved as the last hope of the common man. We are grateful to the Supreme Court judges for their industry and erudition in arriving at today’s verdict.

    “We want to appeal to Governor Ayo Fayose to obey the judgment without any delay, the judgment is clear and it is to the effect that we should be paid what is due to us for the remaining 15 months in our tenure.

    “We believe that government is a continuum, it has nothing to do with the party or personalities involved.

    “The judgment of the court must be obeyed and we believe that the governor is a law-abiding person, he will obey the law of the court.”

  • Ex-Speaker declares governorship bid in Ekiti

    …Says Fayose’s days are numbered
    Former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Olufemi Bamisile, has declared his intention to run for the governorship seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Bamisile who held a rally in Ado Ekiti, the state capital on Monday to mark the end of his eighteen-month tour to all the 177 wards in 124 towns and villages said the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) administration has failed to live up to expectation.

    The former Speaker advised Governor Ayo Fayose to start packing his personal effects from the Ado Ekiti Government House saying “a movement to enthrone a people-oriented APC-led government has commenced.”

    He boasted that a “political hurricane” would soon blow Fayose and his “government of deceit” away accusing the governor of unleashing more hardship on the people through harsh policies, misplacement of priorities, poverty of ideas and government by impulse.”

    Bamisile had earlier held a rally at Okeyinmi Roundabout in the heart of the town from where the train moved to the APC secretariat at Ajilosun where he addressed the state party executive led by the Deputy Chairman, Mrs. Kemisola Olaleye.

    He was accompanied to the party secretariat by his campaign team, otherwise known as TEAM BAFEM, women groups, youth, commercial motorcycle riders, among others.

    The ex-Speaker stressed that his ward-to-ward tour revealed that the people in the grassroots have been made poorer by the PDP regime which he said failed to address their standard of living. He said Fayose’s days in power are numbered.

    He described the APC as the party with the right manifesto to turn around the fortunes of Ekiti which he alleged has nosedived under Fayose accusing the governor of failing to build on the achievements of his immediate predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Addressing the members of the State Working Committee at the APC secretariat, Bamisile unfolded his Octopus Agenda for Human Capital Development which he described as his treaty with the good people of the state.

    The Octopus Agenda, according to Bamisile, has eight legs which include agriculture, infrastructure development, economic and industrial development, education, health sector development, security, social security and governance.

    He urged the leadership of the APC in the state to organize a transparent, free and fair primary for all aspirants aiming to run for governor expressing confidence that he would clinch the ticket to fly the party’s flag in the 2018 poll.

    Bamisile disclosed that he is working with the Ekiti in Diaspora to attract investment to the state noting that many of them had signified interest to work with him and launch the state on the path of sustainable development.

    Responding, Mrs. Olaleye, described Bamisile as a loyal party man who is passionate about the development of the state.

    She said the APC was poised to reclaim power in Ekiti judging by the number of key political actors joining the party on daily basis.

    Mrs. Olaleye promised that the state exco would be fair to all aspirants seeking its ticket urging them to be more loyal to the party for the dream of regaining power to be a reality.

     

  • Hunger in Ekiti unacceptable, group tells Fayose

    Hunger in Ekiti unacceptable, group tells Fayose

    The Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose has been advised to invest more in agriculture to boost food production, tackle hunger and create jobs for teeming youths.
    A socio-cultural organization, the Achievers Group, said: “It is not acceptable that Ekiti people should complain of hunger when the state is capable of providing enough food to feed the whole nation.”
    In a statement on Thursday by its president, Femi Jegede and publicity secretary, Raphael Adeyanju, the group noted that government can replicate the success it recorded in the education sector, If it can devote the amount of time and energy it gave to the education sector to Agriculture.
    “We are confident that Governor Fayose can use agriculture as a tool for tackling the recent food crisis facing our nation, using Ekiti State as a starting point.
    “The government can also use this as an opportunity to engage our youths on farms and keep them away from crimes.”
  • Ekiti at 20: Fayose hails Abacha, predecessors

    Ekiti at 20: Fayose hails Abacha, predecessors

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has showered encomiums on the late former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, for yielding to the cries of Ekiti people for a state of their own on October 1, 1996.

    The state was created alongside Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Gombe, Nasarawa and Zamfara by the late military strongman.

    The governor, who spoke at an interactive session with interest groups at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti yesterday as part of activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State and 56th independence anniversary, vowed not to leave any abandoned project behind by the time he completes his tenure on October 15, 2018.

    Fayose also hailed all his predecessors-Col. Inua Bawa, Capt. Atanda Yusuff, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Segun Oni and Dr. Kayode Fayemi-for their sacrifices and contributions to the development of the state.

    He said the former governors tried their best within the limited resources available to them, saying their contributions have given him something to build upon to take Ekiti to greater heights.

    Fayose appealed to politicians across various divides to always place the interest of the state above personal interests and work for its development.

    He said: “Let me commend Gen. Abacha for creating the state and I also thank our founding fathers for their vision.

    “Though, I didn’t participate in the struggle but I am a beneficiary and many children and governors yet unborn will also benefit.

    “Politics aside, let me commend all the military and duly elected governors of the past for their contributions because they have contributed their own quota within the available resources to lay a foundation. For without foundation there could be nothing to build upon.

    “Ekiti has scored many firsts within the two years I came on board. Ekiti recorded in transparency in budget provision.

    “It came first in 2016 NECO and these came at the most auspicious time when Ekiti is 20.”

    He added: “Our desire now is to buckle up and work harder for more service delivery for the good of you and I.

    “Whatever our political, religious and interests are, we must put our eyes on the ball called Ekiti for our tomorrow to be better than this.

    “I want to tell you that I won’t abandon any project. All the projects I have started will be completed before my departure.”

  • Fayose’s accounts remain frozen till November 7

    Fayose’s accounts remain frozen till November 7

    The two private accounts of Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti in Zenith Bank will remain frozen until November 7.

    This followed the adjournment till Nov. 7 of the suit in which the governor sued the EFCC for freezing his accounts.

    At Friday’s hearing, Fayose’s lead counsel, Chief Mike Ozehkome, and that of the EFCC agreed on the adjournment date.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accounts had been frozen since June by the EFCC.

    At the resumed hearing, Ozehkome, who led 10 other lawyers, argued that the EFCC lacked the constitutional powers to so apply punitive measures on a governor that still enjoyed immunity until the end of his tenure in 2018.

    He argued that the freezing of the governor’s accounts based on mere hearsay and unsubstantiated allegations of fraud lacked the backing of the law.

    The counsel said only a declarative evidence of court of competent jurisdiction could act in the way of EFCC.

    He said blocking the governor’s accounts without being found guilty by a court amounted to convicting the governor before putting him on trial.

    The counsel said the exparte order which the EFCC claimed to be relying upon in blocking Fayose’s two accounts had been grossly abused, adding that such an order was not expected to last longer than few weeks.

    “My Lord, my client’s accounts were frozen in June and we are now in September, making a total of four months altogether.

    “As far as we know, the principle of exparte order which is meant to last for a while has been grossly abused here.

    “This is because as you can see, my client has been unjustly subjected to both psychological and mental torture, as if to say judgment must come before trial,’’ he said.

    He demanded that a sum of N5 billion be paid by the EFCC to the governor as aggravated damages.

    The counsel also asked the court to vacate an earlier order of a similar court which empowered the anti-graft body to block the governor’s accounts.

    But EFCC lead counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, insisted that the decision of the anti- graft agency to freeze Fayose’s accounts followed due process.

    He pleaded with the court to give him enough time to study the counter argument of Fayose’s lead counsel which was presented to the court for more than three hours.

    Justice Taiwo consequently adjourned ruling in the case till November 7.

  • 2019 Election ambition tears Ekiti lawmakers apart

     

    …assembly member denies ‘secret’ meeting with Kashamu

     

     

    Although the 2019 general election is less than three years away, ambition to contest the next poll has turned some members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly against one another in a bid to reposition themselves for higher offices.

     

    Chairman, House Committee on Information, Gboyega Aribisogan, has accused a colleague of blackmail with the intent to turn him against Governor Ayo Fayose ahead of the 2019 polls.

     

    Addressing a news conference in Ado Ekiti, the state capital on Friday, Aribisogan who represents Ikole Constituency 1 denies holding secret meeting with Senator Buruji Kashamu and other politicians perceived to be enemies of Fayose in a bid to bring down his administration.

     

    He claimed that the particular lawmaker is stoking the fire of crisis of confidence between him and Fayose to gain advantage to win the House of Representatives seat for Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency.

     

    Aribisogan said he had no reason to gang up against Fayose having been part of those who worked hard to ensure his victory at the 2014 governorship poll accusing those peddling the rumour of alleged disloyalty are working to divide the Assembly.

     

    The Deputy Speaker, Olusegun Adewumi  narrowly escaped impeachment while Aribisogan also escaped suspension from the Assembly earlier in the week by their colleagues for allegedly hobnobbing with Kashamu and some personalities perceived as enemies of Fayose within and outside the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

     

    Others that  were alleged to be holding meetings with include former PDP Secretary in Ekiti, Dr. Tope Aluko; presidential aide, Babafemi Ojudu and Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana.

     

    Aribisogan said: “Let me put on record here that except the time I accompanied Governor Fayose to Buruji in 2014 and recently when I met him in company of the governor, I never had any personal dealing with him.

     

    “For Falana and Ojudu, I  have been a major critic of their roles in Ekiti project and they can never in their wildest imaginations invite me to any clandestine  meeting and they are all alive to corroborate or deny the claims.

     

    “I am a steadfast and major critical stakeholder in Fayose’s emergence as Governor of Ekiti right from the primaries to the governmental level.

     

    “I have repeatedly spoken about my absolute belief and commitment in the government of Fayose and its policies, even at most difficult times and I can’t be a sellout at this time when the battle is presumed to have been won.

     

    “On the other side, a particular lawmaker in the house was plotting to undermine Ikole constituency in the 2019 elections and he was behind the gossip, blackmail and intrigues in the House to cause a serious rift between me and Mr Governor.

     

    “I hereby want to reiterate and reaffirm my commitment and loyalty to His Excellency, Governor Fayose and the government of Ekiti State.”

     

  • Tears as Fayose’s bulldozers demolish houses in Ekiti

    Tears as Fayose’s bulldozers demolish houses in Ekiti

    Some house owners in Okesa area of Ado Ekiti were in tears Thursday evening as government bulldozers commenced demolition of more structures in the area to accommodate an outer road for the ongoing flyover project.

    The demolition exercise which was personally supervised by Governor Ayo Fayose started at about 4.30 pm and continued till dusk reducing the buildings to rubbles.

    The governor who sported a white T-shirt had his convoy parked by the roadside while the demolition was going on.

    The exercise started at Fajuyi area where structures including the fence and security post of the State High Court complex, Cathedral Church of Emmanuel (Anglican Communion) were marked for demolition.

    Those who wept said it was inconceivable to see their ‘ancient’ buildings reduced to rubbles within minutes

    The affected buildings including many shops in the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) Shopping Complex had earlier been marked for demolition weeks before the exercise commenced.

    The two bulldozers kept roaring and busy with demolition until rains started at about 5.40 pm which temporarily halted the exercise. The exercise continued after the rain ceased till it became too dark to continue.

    Many of the landlords and house owners had started removing their roofing sheets and other over the weekend till Wednesday afternoon after entreaties to convince the government to halt the demolition failed.

    Some of the residents staged a peaceful protest Thursday last week claiming that they had no alternative place to go and that government reneged on the initial agreement of 15 meter setback and came out with a new benchmark of 30 meters to the main road.

    The protesters said “the demolition will render many old people living and trading in the buildings homeless and turn them to refugees in their home land.”

    Some of the affected landlords were grumbling that it was unfair that they were not paid compensation by the government. Others who had extended structures to their original buildings were among those who were not compensated.

    One of the landlords whose demolished building had six shops complained that the compensation if N500, 000 given him was too small.

    It was also learnt that some of the demolished shops had been leased for many years to Igbo traders who had been displaced by the demolition.

    The demolition was supposed to have commenced on September 12 but it was halted because it fell on the Eid el Kabir day.

    The exercise which will extend to Ojumose area of the city is expected to continue Friday.

  • Fayose moves to break workers’ strike

    Fayose moves to break workers’ strike

    •Offers to pay those who resume

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has moved to halt the strike action embarked upon by workers in the state.

    The industrial action, which entered its fourth day, has paralysed government businesses and academic activities in public schools.

    Apparently embarrassed by the Labour unions’ decision to go ahead with the strike, Fayose offered to pay workers that pull out of the action.

    Speaking during his monthly media chat, Meet Your Governor on Friday evening monitored by our correspondent, Fayose stressed his readiness to pay workers of ministries, agencies and parastatals who opt out of strike and resume work from the N752 million received as allocation for April.

    Apparently oblivious of the fact that Monday is a public holiday, the governor ordered the Accountant General to ensure payment of agencies ready to pull out of the strike and resume work.

    The governor said: “Those that are ready to work, I will pay them from the N752 million we have received this month. EKSU is not on strike and JOHESU in EKSUTH have just written that they are not on strike.

    “I will pay them and others who are ready to work but for those who say they are on strike, even if they are on strike for two months, they will meet me here whenever they decide to end their strike.”

    Fayose said he took an exception to the remarks of Labour leaders against his person and office.

    He scolded them for not challenging the immediate past administration for allegedly committing the state to indebtedness through bonds.

    While expressing his concern and sympathy for workers over the inability of his administration to pay them as and when due, Fayose said he should not be blamed for the situation but the dwindling allocation from the Federation Account.

    But former Speaker Olufemi Bamisile advised Fayose to resign from office over the failure of his government to pay workers their salaries.

    Bamisile, who said the strike embarked upon by workers is already taking its toll on the state, claimed at least four lives have died at the emergency ward of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).

    The former Speaker said he visited the ward on Friday to see the situation for himself.

    He argued that Fayose has failed Ekiti people and reneged on his electoral promises.

    Bamisile said: “Fayose has no business being in office again because he has failed the people of Ekiti State.

    “He promised them heaven and earth in the run-up to the 2014 governorship poll but he has failed to redeem his promises.

    “His administration has inflicted unprecedented hardship on the people of Ekiti State.

    “He promised to fill their stomachs with food but instead hunger is afflicting our people.”

  • Fuel price hike: FG Insensitive to Nigerians’ plight – Fayose

    Fuel price hike: FG Insensitive to Nigerians’ plight – Fayose

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has accused the Federal Government of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians with the latest increase in the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol.

    Fayose said the hike was a “demonstration of the level of hatred the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government had for Nigerians.”

    Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, had earlier on Wednesday announced that effective from Wednesday, May 11, the new pump price would not be more than N145 per litre.

    The Ekiti governor said he was waiting for the reaction of those who took to the streets to protest when fuel subsidy was removed by the Dr Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2012.

    He urged labour unions in the country to stand by their members always, not minding the political party in government

    Fayose in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said the latest hike in pump price of petrol was another vindication of of his predictions on what to expect in 2016.

    The governor alleged that the scarcity of petrol being experienced in the last three months was deliberately orchestrated by the federal government to pave way for the already conceived increment.

    He said: “Nigerians are now left at the mercy of political liars who took over power by deception and are governing by deceit.

    “When they were seeking for votes from Nigerians, they promised to reduce petrol pump price to from N87 to N45 per litre, they promised to create three million jobs per year, they said $1 will be equal to N1 and above all, they promised to pay unemployed youths N5, 000 stipends and provide one meal a day to pupils nationwide.

    “Instead of fulfilling their promises, they have increased petrol pump price to N145 per litre, increased electricity tariffs, retrenched thousands of workers and imposed untold hardships on Nigerians.

    “As they did in 2012, if labour leaders do not also stand up for the people at this time, posterity will not forgive them.”