The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kayode Fayemi

  • PDP candidate escapes assassination in Ondo

    Barely four days to the House of Assembly and House of Representatives supplementary elections in Ondo State, the leading opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has raised the alarm over incessant attacks on its members by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Chairman of the party in the state Clement Faboyede, said one of the Assembly’s candidates of the party in Idanre,Festus Akingbesote narrowly escaped death Tuesday when hoodlums suspected to be APC supporters attacked him when he went to an undisclosed hospital to check some members of the party admitted after previous attacks.

    He lamented that the state government led by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and APC had resorted to attacks on the opposition.

    Besides, he alleged that Ekiti and Osun states governors, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Gboyega Oyetola, were meddling in the state politics, which prompted violence prompting all manners of violence ahead of the Saturday polls.

    Faboyede recalled that some PDP members were attacked by APC thugs in Idanre Local Government Area while two casualties are currently receiving treatment in one of the hospitals in the community.

    He said; “We want to intimate the whole world of what is happening in Ondo State now. We are crying for Save Our Soul in the state. Ondo State PDP and the generality of Ondo State inhabitants, have witnessed a lot of violence.

    Read Also: Court nullifies Kano PDP governorship primaries

    “It is an open secret that the APC government, APC party and members have resorted to violence, intimidation and harassment of PDP members across the length and breadth of the state.

    “Everybody is moving around with fear and anxiety. The state that has hitherto been peaceful, that was rated as one of the most peaceful states in the country, the people are panicky of being attacked.”

    “On Monday, it took the combined team of soldiers and mobile policemen to dislodge APC thugs in Idanre, the hometown of APC state Chairman of the state. For four hours, they laid siege in the town with cutlasses and guns in Idanre community.

    “And Tuesday, attacks were on and about two of our people are in the hospital now. This call for concern as this has been the scenario: the community has been declared a war zone as APC thugs are harassing and intimidating the people.

    “They know they can’t win that election, especially that of Idanre, so they want to cause mayhem in that place. We want to say election is not war; election should be very peaceful and people should be allowed to whosoever they want.”

    “We are calling on our good people in Nigeria to please appeal to our governor and APC to that people of Ondo State can live in peace and exercise their franchise so that they can vote whoever they want to vote for.”

    Faboyede, who lauded security agencies for their impartiality and professionalism in the last election, urged them to be proactive and neutral in their dealings with the parties. He appealed to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be neutral too.

    He urged President Muhammadu Buhari and other Nigerians to prevail on the leadership of the ruling party in the state, stressing that that they should guarantee the peace and security of its members ahead of the poll.

    APC spokesman, Alexandra’s Kalejaye could not be reached for comments on the development.

  • APC won’t buy votes to win, says Fayemi

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will never buy votes to win any election.

    He spoke after voting with his wife Erelu Bisi at Ogilolo ward 11, Unit 009 Oye Local Government Area of the state.

    Fayemi arrived the polling booth around 11am and voted after receiving voting rules and regulations from the election officials. .

    Speaking with journalists shortly after casting the ballot, he expressed absolute confidence the APC will coast to victory without engaging in any anti-democratic means.

    The governor stated that there was nowhere in Ekiti where cases of vote buying were reported, describing his party as law- abiding.

    “Just check round, there was no place where votes were being bought. APC is a law abiding one and that we shall maintain.

    “Whoever says we are doing that here must be believing in hearsay”.

    He applauded the security arrangements, pointing out that democracy had come to stay with people allowed to make their choice of leaders without any fear or threat.

    The governor praised the voters for their massive turnout despite postponement by INEC, saying this has shown that electoral process is maturing in Nigeria.

    Read Also: APC chieftain, elder brother shot dead in Rivers

    “With the feelers I am getting, the postponement doesn’t affect us negatively here in Ekiti.

    “People trooped out massively to exercise their franchise, I am happy about that.

    “INEC staff arrived at the polling units early, this also added more credibility to these elections”.

    Senator Ayo Arise after voting in his country home at Oye Ekiti, said the threat issued by President Muhammadu Buhari helped in putting electoral robbers at check.

    “We are really grateful to President Buhari for that we threat. It has helped in bringing sanity to the system,” he said.

  • Fayemi assures workers of prompt salaries

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Tuesday assured workers of his administration’s commitment to regular payment workers’ salary for effective and efficient service delivery.

    Fayemi said his government would be committed to rescuing the Civil Service from the level of decadence experienced under the immediate past administration.

    He disclosed the template to restoring the core values of civil service has been entrenched in the four pillar of his administration.

    He explained public servants during the last administration were demoralized and deprived of service tools, which hindered effective performance.

    The governor added that the core values of civil service went to extinction in recent past years with deprivation of a conducive and work friendly environment by the government.

    The governor spoke on Tuesday while unveiling the special edition of Fountain Bureaucrat magazine at the Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, in Ado Ekiti.

    He said civil servants were not only deprived of deserved welfare packages but were made to suffer indignity and ridicule of high magnitude.

    The Governor, represented, by his Deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, was of the opinion the public service, being an engine room of governance, deserved to be treated with much dignity and respect.

    Read Also: Vote wisely, Fayemi tells teachers

    Fayemi said: “We are all living witness to the level of decadence that the Service sunk during the recent inglorious past.

    “An average civil servant was demoralized and disoriented with the inclement and unfair environment of operation.

    “Civil servants were not only denied of deserved welfare packages, they were arrogantly deprived of tools of service.

    “In many instances, they were made to suffer indignity and ridicule of high magnitude.

    “For whatever it takes, the public servants do not deserve these inhuman treatments and never again will such indignity be allowed to befall its public service.”

    Fayemi assured the state government would continue to support the publication and ensure that it was well positioned to be a journal of note across states in the federation.

    Mr. Segun Omolayo while reviewing the magazine revealed that the latest edition was not only special because it was anchored on the four pillars of Fayemi or his achievements in the first hundred days in office but for its wealth of quality content.

    Acting Head of Service, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, who is also the publisher of the Journal, explained that Fountain Bureaucrat would continue to serve as a veritable platform and tool for sharing knowledge and experience among public servants.

  • Police deploy four CPs for elections in Ekiti

    The Ekiti State police command on Friday said three Commissioners of Police have been deployed by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu to monitor Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections in the State.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, who disclosed in Ado Ekiti on Friday, said the Commissioners, whose names were withheld, would monitor each of the senatorial districts of the state.

    Ikechukwu added that the police have also devised new techniques to checkmate vote buying, revealing that plain-clothed operatives will be deployed to all the 2,195 polling units to arrest the perpetrators.

    “The operatives will mingle with voters and from there have the knowledge of those engaging in this electoral offence”, he said.

    Ikechukwu disclosed that the security details of Very Important personalities, including politicians in the state have been withdrawn, with the exception of that of Governor Kayode Fayemi and his deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi.

    The Command spokesman stated that three security men will be deployed to each of the polling units to secure the staff deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and both sensitive and insensitive materials to be used for the conduct of the elections.

    Read Also: Ekiti residents protest killing of farmer by suspected herdsman

    “The security arrangements have been made in such a way that there would be no room for security lapses. Three security men comprising police, NSCDC and immigration officers will man each of the polling units.

    “As of now, three police Commissioners are on ground to work with CP Asuquo Amba. Each of them will man the three senatorial districts to enforce compliance to restriction of vehicles, except those on essential services and to make sure that no one circumvents the laws of the land regarding these elections”.

    Ikechuckwu stated that the Special Tactical Unit of the Police Force will be deployed to each of the 16 local government areas of the state to attend to emergency situations that could undermine the conduct of the polls.

    “These are armed unit of the police who will be on standby and they are to tackle cases of violence, attempted ballot snatching and ballot stuffing. They would also help in putting politicians who may want to demonstrate abuses at check”, he said.

    He added that Special Protection Unit of the Command have been deployed to provide protection for international and observers and other groups accredited by INEC to monitor the election.

    He said policemen are already on ground in all the INEC offices across the state, including the headquarters in Ado Ekiti to prevent cases of arson.

    “CP Amba and other top officers will also monitor these elections and our hotlines are on. We are on ground to entertain complaints from the members of the public.

    “We are on ground to ensure that we have credible elections. In having credible election, violence and other infractions that could mar the process must be checkmated and that is what we are here to enforce not to interfere in electoral matters”.

  • Vote wisely, Fayemi tells teachers

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has urged teachers in the state to use their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) positively for the progress and sustainable development of the state.

    Fayemi said the state would benefit more in terms of educational, infrastructural, industrial development with stronger alignment with the Federal Government.

    He added that since he became the governor, development partners and government agencies are already supporting the activities of the state in the education sector due to his alignment with the government at the centre.

    The governor spoke in Ado-Ekiti,the State capital during an interactive session with representatives of teachers across primary and secondary schools at the  Ekiti parapo pavilion.

    He disclosed his administration had paid the SUBEB counterpart fund for 2016, 2017 and 2018 to the tune of N3.3 billion, which is expected to bring N6.6 billion to the state for renovation of some schools, provision of necessary facilities and educational materials in the public schools.

    The governor stated the government is committed to recruitment of teachers in the state, promising the exercise would be devoid of political and community coloration.

    According to him: “We have a golden opportunity in Ekiti. And the opportunity is that we can consolidate better on these positive steps we have taken if we have a government in Ekiti that is in a very strong alignment with the government at the center.

    Read Also: Fayemi sponsors free cataract surgeries

    “I am not a promoter of mainstream politics for its own sake but I want to assure you that Ekiti has an advantage through me this time around.

    “If we have a strong relationship with the Federal Government, it will be difficult for Ekiti people to enjoy the benefits of such a relationship.

    “So, we are in campaign season and I know you have PVCs. For our own sake let’s use it positively so that we can all enjoy the benefits of good governance.

    “I don’t want Ekiti to be retrogressive but rather progressive so that the needs of our younger generation can assured and not compromised.”

  • Fayemi approves N100 million for arrears of workers’ gratuity

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Monday approved monthly release of N100 million to defray accumulated gratuities of retired workers in the State.

    Fayemi, in further demonstration of his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and pensioner, had last month approved a hundred per cent increase in monthly gratuity payment from N10 million to N20 million.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, explained the directive takes immediate effect, pending the time the state government would be able to find a creative approach to resolve the huge outstanding gratuity obligations of the state.

    Read Also: Fayemi sponsors free cataract surgeries

    The Governor believes the increment will ameliorate the plight of the state’s pensioners and also accelerate their living standard.

    In a related development, Governor Fayemi has also approved the payment of severance allowance and outstanding salaries of 19 former members of the Ekiti State House of Assemblies and their aides who were denied their entitlement by the immediate past administration of Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

    Fayemi said it is unjust to deny workers their wages, stating his administration will ensure that workers and pensioners get their entitlements at the appropriate time.

  • Corrupt politicians will continue to go to jail-Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday reiterated his commitment to the anti-graft battle, saying that corrupt politicians will go to jail.

    He also promised to fulfill his campaign promises, if re-elected in next Saturday’s election, urging Lagosians to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates “from top to bottom.”

    President Buhari and other party leaders, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Presidential Campaign Council Co-chairman Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Campaign Director Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola spoke on the achievements of the APC-led government in the last three and half years at a rally held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    The president, who stormed the venue around 2.45noon, was excited at the crowd that had waited for him from sunrise.

    For him, the visit to the stadium was historic. He and other party leaders were seized by nostalgic feelings.

    Four years ago, President Buhari had defeated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the APC presidential primary held at the venue.

    It was a carnival-like rally. Security was tight. Party supporters outside the stadium were more that those inside the main bowl.

    Thrilling the crowd were ace musicians-Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, Lady Queen and ‘Small Doctor.’

    Party faithful, who came from the 57 councils, mixed with other party supporters and followers-representatives of the entertainment industry, Community Development Associations (CDAs), women groups, youth associations and students.

    President Buhari was accompanied by Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje; Kebbi State Governor Bangudu; Nasarawa State Deputy Governor; Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige and members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC).

    At the venue were Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Idiat Adebule; Nigeria’s Ambassador to United States Justice Oguntade; APC Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande; Afenifere chieftains led by Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Southwest Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) and Godwin Obaseki (Edo).

    There were also APC National Deputy Chairman (South) and former Ekiti State Governor Adeniyi Adebayo; National Auditor Chief George Moghalu; National Treasurer Adamu Fanda; National Welfare Secretary Ibrahim Masari; Legal Adviser Babatunde Ogala; Vice Chairman (Southwest) Pastor Bankola Oluwajana; Vice Chairman (Northeast) Emma Enukwu; Vice Chairman (Southsouth Ntifam Ita and National Youth Leader Sadiq Abubakar.

    Other chieftains include former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Lagos State APC Chairman Tunde Balogun and former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda.

    The highlights of the campaign was the handing of party flags by Oshiomhole to the Lagos State governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Lagos Central senatorial candidate Senator Oluremi Tinubu; her Lagos West and East counterparts-Senator Solomon Adeola and Sikiru Osinnowo and House of Representatives flag bearers who were represented by the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (Surulere Constituency).

    Thanking Lagosians for their patience and commitment, the President said: “I thank you very much for defying the weather to be with us. I don’t think there is much to add to what the Minister of Works and Housing, the Minister of Transport and the vice-president has said.

    “I thank you very much and I can assure you that the promise we have made in 2015 to those who elected us, we have fulfilled.

    “We have made enormous progress in reviving the economy, on security and fighting corruption. I assure you that we will collect what they have stolen and send them to prison. This is our duty. This is our responsibility and I assure you that we are going to do it.”

    Osinbajo, who spoke in Yoruba, said President will provide three things, if re-elected.

    These, he said, are jobs, electricity and infrastructure, including roads and railway.

    He thanked the President for making ‘June 12’ Democracy day and a holiday in commemoration of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential polls and the injustice of annulment.

    He added: “All these are easy, if we vote for Buhari. They don’t want Buhari to remain in office because he is opposed to corruption.

    “Buhari made June 12 Democracy Day. When he was minister, three of the four refineries were built. The longest pipeline routes were constructed. He has built roads and he is doing railway. On February 16, use your index fingers to vote for Buhari.”

    Tinubu, who described the rally as a celebration of democracy, told the President and party elders that Lagosians will vote for APC because they suffered for 16 years under the PDP administration.

    He said: “Lagos is sure, very sure about voting for APC under the broom revolution.

    “The party chairman, Balogun, has catalogued Buhari’s achievements. Buhari did not make empty promises. You could see action.”

    Tracing the history of Lagos from 1999, the former governor said the people had struck a deal with the progressives, adding that they cannot endorse the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that has not catered for their interest.

    He flayed former President Olusegunn Obasanjo and his deputy, Atiku, for serving as clogs in the wheels of Lagos progress, stressing the former vice president is unworthy of Lagos votes.

    Tinubu said: “We have had progressive governments in Lagos since 1999. We have provided education and quality health.

    “We were the first to pay WAEC fees of students. We catered for poor women and widows. I handed over to Babatunde Fashola.

    “I asked him a question: what will happen, if you are elected governor? He said: ‘Lagos will not spoil.’

    “Obasanjo then came. We thought there was no way for a revolutionary economy without the Independent Power Project (IPP). I introduced IPP.

    “He and Atiku opposed it. I went to court. My lawyer was Osinbajo. I won and we started generating 300 megawatts.

    “If they had allowed IPP, Dunlop, Michelin would not have moved out of Nigeria.

    “Look at our roads and the traffic density. Obi (Peter) said he will create jobs. But, he has not been able to make brake pads and wheel spanners for the vehicles.

    “He said we should go and extend our port in Benin Republic. I call that container economy; Obi China.”

     

     

  • Fayemi sponsors free cataract surgeries

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday commenced free cataract surgery for 405 residents to ensure effective quality healthcare service delivery.

    Fayemi said his administration was in partnership with the Federal Government and the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria under the Ekiti Free Cataract Surgery/President Buhari Restores Vision Programme to restore the sight of the patients.

    The surgery was done simultaneously at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti; State Specialist Hospital, Ikere-Ekiti and Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, said the action was aimed at addressing the burden of increasing blindness from cataract and help residents who are financially incapacitated to sponsor their treatment.

    He disclosed that an average of 250 surgeries was to be carried out per state but that of Ekiti was increased to 405 to give more cataract patients in the state opportunity to benefit from the scheme.

    The governor noted that Ado, Ikere and Ido were carefully designated as centres cutting across the three senatorial districts to make the scheme accessible to people in the grassroots.

    Fayemi explained that 200 of the cases were screened during the first phase of his administration’s Free Health Mission which provided medical services to 67,000 people across the eleven local government areas visited.

    Describing cataract as a leading cause of blindness, Fayemi disclosed that 4.25 million adults aged above 40 are visually impaired while 5.5 per cent of adults aged 50 and above are estimated to be blind.

    He explained government was tackling cataract headlong by offering to sponsor the surgery and helped the patients overcome financial constraints to restore their vision.

    He said: “As a government that is concerned about the well-being of its people, we promised that no one will be left out.

    Read Also: Fayemi dedicates victory to Ekiti people

    “Here we are today practising what we preached by granting free access to the healthcare many people may not be able to afford personally. We are doing this judiciously without age, gender, religion or political colouration.”

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Folake Olomojobi, explained the free cataract surgery programme was part of Governor Fayemi’s Free Health Mission aimed at sustaining a healthy state.

    She revealed that each cataract surgery costs N50, 000 outside post-surgery expenses, which have been undertaken by the state government.

    Olomojobi said the surgery was being performed by indigenous cataract surgeons, adding the scheme was geared towards achieving ‘once I was blind and now I can see testimony.’

    The president of Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria, Dr. Bade

    Ogundipe, who was represented by Dr. Kayode Ajite, said the body was working in collaboration with state governments in Nigeria to ensure a cataract-free nation.

    He commended the Ekiti State government for not only taking the financial burden of the patients but also providing the post-operation drugs for them.

  • Buhari thanks Ekiti Obas for supporting Fayemi

    • Promises more FG projects

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday expressed gratitude to Ekiti Obas for their support which led to the election of Governor Kayode Fayemi during the July 14, 2018 election.

    The President, who recalled he enlisted support of the Obas for the governor during his meeting with them few days to the election, said he was happy they are still supporting the current administration in the state.

    He said he was convinced that Governor Fayemi would perform creditably as Governor, having put up a stellar performance as Minister in his cabinet. He added that he is impressed by the Governor’s record of performance so far.

    President Buhari, who cited the national railway line that was re-designed to ensure it passes through Ekiti State and the dualiasation of Ado-Ekiti- Akure road as some of the federal government projects in Ekiti State, said the state would benefit more in the next four years if voted in again as President.

    “I am here again to ask for your support which I usually get from you”, the President told the obas, who were led to the meeting by the chairman of the state council of traditional rulers, HRM, Oba Michael Oluwole Ademolaju.

    In his welcome address, Governor Kayode Fayemi said the APC-led government has a record of putting the people first. This, according to him is the experience of the people of Ekiti, who he said had started enjoying the dividends of good governance in the past three months.

    Dr Fayemi said regular payment of workers salaries and pensions was being given priority attention by his government in line with the President Buhari’s belief that workers should not be denied their wages under any circumstance.

    Fayemi who said the Ekiti people fully embraced the change agenda said the party is busy working to ensure that it post 90 per cent of the votes for President Buhari in the February 16 election.

    Governor Fayemi who also congratulated President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo over the latter’s escape from the helicopter crash attributed the Vice President’s escape to the fact that God has a purpose for his life.

    The spokesperson for the traditional rulers and Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, HRM Oba Adebayo Adewole, thanked the President for his developmental strides in Ekiti State including connecting the state to the national railway project, adding, however, that the state would be expecting more in the next four years.

    Specifically, the Oba Adewole urged President Buhari to appoint an Ekiti son or daughter to fill the state quota as minister in the federal cabinet.

    Present at the meeting were the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Governors of Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ondo states.

    Others include the state deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; deputy national chairman of the party and former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; former Deputy Governor, Osun state, Otunba Iyiola Omisore.

  • Photos from Ekiti Tribunal

    Supporters of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, pictured celebrating after the Elections tribunal judgement in Abuja on Monday.