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Tag: Kayode Fayemi

  • Protest against fuel subsidy removal in 2012 was mere politics, says Fayemi

    Protest against fuel subsidy removal in 2012 was mere politics, says Fayemi

    The immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has said that the protest against fuel subsidy removal during former president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2012 was mere politics.

    Recall that on January 1, 2012, then President Goodluck Jonathan announced the removal of fuel subsidy by adjusting the pump price of petrol from N65 per litre to N141 in a move that sparked mass protests, known as ‘Occupy Nigeria’ across major cities of the country.

    Fayemi stated this in Abuja on Tuesday, September 5, while presenting his keynote address at a national dialogue organised to celebrate the 60th birthday of the founding national secretary of Alliance for Democracy (AD), and a fellow of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Prof Udenta Udenta.

    The ex-governor said the challenges facing the nation today cannot be solved unless the country embraces proportional representation where the spoils of elections are shared between contestants.

    While noting that adversary politics bring division and enmity, he said Nigerians must look at proportional representation so that the party that is said to have one 21 per cent of the vote will have 21 per cent of the government.

    Read Also: Fuel subsidy: A’Ibom to create jobs through projects in LGAs

    He said: “Today, I read former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s interview in The Cable saying our liberal democracy is not working and we need to revisit it. And I agree with him, we must move from a political alternative, I think we are almost at a dead end.

    “What we need is alternative politics and my own notion of alternative politics is that you can’t have 35 per cent of the vote and take 100 per cent. It won’t work. We must look at proportional representation so that the party that is said to have 21 per cent of the vote will have 21 per cent of the government. Adversary politics bring division and enmity.

    “All political parties in the country agreed and they even put in their manifesto that the subsidy must be removed. We all said the subsidy must be removed. But we in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at the time in 2012, we know the truth sir but it is all politics. That is why we must ensure that everybody is a crucial stakeholder by stopping all these.

    The event was attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan, former minister of education in Nigeria, Oby Ezekwesili, and former minister of aviation, Osita Chidoka, among others.

    Details soon….

  • I’ve no candidates for council polls, says Fayemi

    AHEAD of the December 7 local government elections in Ekiti, Governor Kayode Fayemi said on Tuesday that he has no preferred candidates for the forthcoming primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    Fayemi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said he remained committed to his earlier stance that there would be no anointed aspirants, cautioning people against dropping his name in a bid to scuttle laid down procedure.

    The governor also directed the leadership of the APC in the state to ensure a transparent and hitchfree process for the emergence of the party’s candidates.

    Read Also: FUOYE killings: God will judge Fayemi’s wife – NANS

    Governor Fayemi said that every effort must be made to ensure genuine consensus on candidates’ emergence, adding that clear primary should be the mode of selection, where consensus is impossible.

    “Primaries must be well done in a way that even losers will know that they lost fair and square and I have no preferred candidate anywhere. Everybody should go and work for the support of their people. After all, I went through primaries even as a former Governor and leader of the party,” he said.

    The governor also urged members of the party to show good examples to others by observing laid down rules of the party and ensuring that differences arising from the contest are resolved amicably.

     

  • Fayemi confirms passage of Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, condoles with family

    Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti on Saturday confirmed the passage of one of the prominent traditional rulers in the state, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, Oyinyosaiye Uyin II.

    Fayemi, describing the monarch’s demise as a huge loss to the state, said that the state had lost a great and highly respected ruler.

    Oba Ajakaiye, the 17th Oluyin, a lawyer and judge, before ascending the throne, was the pioneer Chief Judge of Ekiti.

    He was also a former Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, (NJI), Abuja.

    The governor said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode, that he received the news of the Oba’s passage from the royal family.

    Fayemi, however, expressed his condolence to the late monarch’s family, the people of Iyin-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government area and the entire citizens of Ekiti.

    The governor said that the state had lost one of its “most cerebral and colourful royal fathers, who combined brilliance with admirable traditional flamboyance”.

    Fayemi, also described the late monarch as a successful lawyer and respected bencher during his years in the legal profession.

    He said the late Oluyin was ever willing to avail the government his wise counsel on issues of development and social justice.

    The governor said that the late monarch was committed to Christianity, and the rich cultural heritage of the ancient town, which was flourished under his leadership.

    He said that Iyin-Ekiti witnessed unprecedented level of development, peace and prosperity during the reign of the late monarch.

    The governor said that the late oba would be remembered as “one of the patriots, whose commitment led to the creation and successful take off of Ekiti in 1996”.

    Fayemi recalled how the late monarch vacated his official residence as the Chief Judge of Ekiti for the Military Administrator of the newly created Ekiti, while he travelled to Ado-Ekiti daily from his personal residence in Iyin-Ekiti.

    “On behalf of the government and the good people of Ekiti, I commiserate with members of the immediate and extended families of the late monarch.

    Read Also: Fayemi hails Wike as Mr. Project

    “I also condole the Oluyin-in- Council, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the entire people of Iyin-Ekiti, on the passage of our highly revered Kabiyesi, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye. Oyinyosaiye Uyin II.

    “Kabiyesi, indeed fought a good fight, made his mark in his chosen profession and in the traditional institution.

    “He left a legacy of honour and good name. We shall miss his wise counsel and intellectual input to traditional and developmental issues,” Fayemi said.

    Meanwhile, traditional rites, signalling the passage of the traditional ruler had begun in the ancient town, especially with the cutting of some sacred trees.

    This came, even as many residents, who spoke to NAN, expressed sadness over the death of their king, describing him as highly influential Oba, who used his position to bring development to Iyin-Ekiti.

    NAN

  • FUOYE killings: Fayemi urges police to fish out culprits

    EKITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has ordered the Police to conduct a thorough investigation into last Tuesday’s protest in Oye-Ekiti and fish out culprits.

    Two students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti- (FUOYE) – Joseph Okonofua and Kehinde Dada— were killed in the violent protest by students against poor power supply in the community.

    Dr. Fayemi, in a broadcast, on Sunday, described the killing of the two students as a major tragedy.

    According to him, any shooting arising from legitimate protest is a dent on the nation’s democracy and “calls to question our commitment to fundamental human rights.”

    Recalling that he had suggested to the police authorities to explore the use of non-lethal rubber bullets in managing public protests, Fayemi said the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) will take the issue up at the highest levels in government.

    The governor said the various statements by the university authorities and the students’ union had shown that the shooting was not ordered by the wife of the governor, nor any official of the state government.

    Read Also: FUOYE killings: God will judge Fayemi’s wife – NANS

    Fayemi said: “To be sure, our government prides itself on its strict adherence to the rule of law. The right of citizens to protest on any issue relating to governmental actions or inactions is a fundamental component of our good governance agenda.

    “We could not therefore under any circumstances have directed that deadly force be used on any of our citizens freely expressing their right to protest.

    “Even before the conclusion of the investigations into this matter, we have taken a number of steps; a high level government delegation has visited the families of the deceased.

    “This will not be a one-off intervention. We will stand firmly with, and support the families at this time. Those persons with varying degrees of injuries will also be given support whilst their hospital expenses will be defrayed by government.”

     

     

  • ‘Fayemi didn’t attend WEF’

    EKITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi on Thursday denied attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in South Africa.

    Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, said he was in South Africa to honour an invitation from a long-standing vote, Dele Olojede.

    The statement reads: “Contrary to some misleading online reports, Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi was not at the World Economic Forum in South Africa.

    Read Also: Fayemi needs lawmakers’ support

    “Rather, the governor is in South Africa  to honour an invitation by a long-time friend and one of Nigeria’s most celebrated journalsits, Mr Dele Olojode at the “Africa in the World Festival of Ideas” which held in Stellensbosch far away from Cape Town. More importantly, the event already held before the decision of the Federal Government to boycott the WEF programme.”

  • Ekiti elders ask Fayemi, 16 monarchs to settle rift

    EKITI Council of Elders has appealed Governor Kayode Fayemi and the 16 aggrieved prominent monarchs, otherwise called Pelupelu, to sheathe their sword for the state’s rapid socio-economic growth.

    The senior citizens said  development could only be achieved in an atmosphere when people put aside their differences and embrace peace.

    They appealed to Fayemi to find a way of resolving the logjam with the traditional rulers to prevent the state from unnecessary crisis and prevent the situation from being hijacked by miscreants.

    The governor and the monarchs have been at loggerhead over the appointment of Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, as chairman of the Ekiti State council of traditional  rulers.

    The governor, a couple of weeks ago, appointed Alawe, who was promoted to Pelupelu by government as chairman of the council.

    Read Also: Fayemi urges positive change

    The 16 aggrieved aboriginal Pelupelu Obas opposed the action and filed a suit against the step at the Ado-Ekiti High Court, saying Alawe was not eligible to superintend the council, since he was promoted to the rank.

    They urged the court to nullify the appointment, saying only the aboriginal Pelupelu Obas,  who pioneered  the council in 1887, are eligible to be chairman.

    The elders at a news conference addressed by the chairman, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi and Chief Deji Fasuan yesterday, appealed to the two warring factions to eschew acts capable of truncating the state’s peaceful co-existence.

    “We, as senior citizens had had the opportunity of discussing with the governor once and the Obas twice. Each side, we must admit quoted relevant portions of documents, ancient and recent, to support the chairmanship being extended beyond the 16.

    “The problem we now face as a state is that the situation, which has assumed proportions beyond anyone’s estimation must be brought down for Ekiti to be in peace and harmony.

    “We refuse to visualise a situation, whereby the government and traditional rulers are at loggerheads, a situation which can be exploited by miscreants.”

    They said the two sides must be willing to dialogue at this stage, saying confrontational approach should not an option to resolve the differences.

     

  • South West governors plan network on security –Fayemi

    EKITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi said on Friday that South West governors were planning a western Nigeria security network in an  effort to tackle security challenges in the country.

    Fielding questions from newsmen on the sideline of the first Governors’ Lecture Series of the Mass Communication Department of the University of Lagos in conjunction with the university’s Multi Media Centre of Excellence, Fayemi said details of the security network would be unveiled in due course.

    The lecture is an annual communication in governance agenda setting initiative.

    “For us in South West, we deliberated on this over the last couple of months and have met with our traditional institutions,” he said.

    “We have also met with our non-state actors in the field of security, as well as our self-determination groups, and we have come up with a western Nigeria security network that is going to be announced soon.

    Read Also: Fayemi woos investors to Ekiti

    “By then, you will have a full picture of what we are doing.”

    The governor noted that the main security outfits in the country were intensifying efforts to fight crimes but said that more needed to be done.

    “We want it sustained and comprehensive. “There is a longer term response to insecurity, and we cannot remove it from correlation to other challenges.

    “There are economic challenges, inequality in the land and poverty in the society.

    “There is a direct correlation between insecurity and inequality, and we must tackle that by ensuring that we create an enabling environment for jobs to be provided for Nigerians seeking to work,” he said.

  • Governors discuss update on NFIU guidelines, SDGs, others

    The issue of Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU)  guidelines on Local Government Funds tops agenda as the Governors of the 36 States of the Federation meet.

    The governors under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) are currently meeting to discuss the update of  NFIU. The meeting is presided over by Governor, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state, NGF Chairman.

    The NFIU had in May stopped the governors from tampering with the monthly allocations of the local government areas in their states.

    The NFIU had announced a ban on transactions on state and local governments joint accounts, arguing that such accounts are only transitional accounts from where funds should go directly to the accounts of local governments.

    The NFIU had also placed a limit on cash withdrawals from local governments accounts to a maximum of N500,000 per day. It had warned banks to ensure strict compliance.

    The NFIU, which was excised from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), set June 1, 2019, as the takeoff date of the new order.

    The governors had described as illegal the NFIU’s ban on transactions on state and local governments joint accounts, arguing that such accounts are only transitional accounts from where funds should go directly to the accounts of local governments.

    Read Also: NFIU policy will ground 774 LGs, CNPP warns

    Also on the agenda is the Panel on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Climate Change at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, among others.

    Also in attendance are deputy chairman of NGF and governor of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal.

    Others are: Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Umaru Fintri (Adamawa), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Willie Obiano (Anambra), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Dairu Ishiaku (Taraba), Abubakar Badaru, (Jigawa), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Ganiyu Oyetola (Osun) Aminu Masari (Katsina), Prof. Babagana Umara (Borno) and Bello Matawalle (Zamfara).

    The Cross River Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivira Esu is also in attendance.

     

     

  • Fayemi swears-in Alawe as chairman of traditional council

    EKITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi on Thursday rebuffed the opposition by the aggrieved 17 prominent traditional rulers arising from the appointment of Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, as the chairman of the traditional rulers’ council.

    The aggrieved monarchs had filed a suit at Ado-Ekiti High Court seeking the nullification of the appointment.

    According to them, Fayemi contravened the Chieftaincy Law, which stipulates that the chairman can only be appointed among Alademerindinlogun/Pelupelu Obas.

    They claimed in their deposition that the promotion of Alawe to Pelupelu status was political and that could not grant him the power to become the chairman of the traditional council.

    As earlier vowed, the 17 aggrieved Pelupelu Obas shunned the inauguration ceremony that was attended by many first-class and other monarchs under the aegis of Majority Obas’ of Ekiti State.

    The governor, who spoke at the  inauguration held at the Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Ado Ekiti, called on all royal fathers to support his administration’s efforts at bringing development to every part of the state.

    Read Also: Fayemi seeks new formula for revenue allocation

    Fayemi urged the aggrieved monarchs to eschew baseless and unnecessary rivalry that can lead to a communal clash, saying peace was the most important ingredient for growth.

    He said the time has come for the traditional rulers to bring their powers to bear to resolve the vicious insecurity level across the nation.

    Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi said the reconstitution of the Council of Traditional Rulers became imperative following the expiration of the tenure of the outgone council in July 2019.

    Oba Egbeyemi said Fayemi’s approval to reconstitute the council was in tandem with section 2(3) of the Council of Traditional Ruler Law no 3 of 2000.

  • Ekiti monarchs sue Fayemi over appointment of chairman

    SOME aggrieved monarchs have instituted a suit against Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi over the appointment of the Alawe of Alawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, as the chairman of the state traditional council of Obas.

    The suit, filed before an Ado-Ekiti High Court, is asking the court to nullify the appointment of Oba Adebanjo.

    It described as a flagrant disregard of the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law, the action taken by Fayemi to appoint someone outside the stipulated 16 monarchs called “Alademerindinlogin” to occupy the prestigious seat.

    The governor had on July 31, appointed  Oba Alabi as the council chairman to serve for a period of two years, following the expiration of Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju’s tenure.

    Joined in the suit registration are Fayemi as 1st defendant, Attorney General Wale Fapohunda (2nd defendant) and Oba Adebanji Alabi (3rd defendant).

    An originating summon filed by Dr. B.A.M. Ajibade ((SAN) on August 7 and deposed to by Ajero of Ajero, Oba Joseph Adewole, on behalf of other 15 Obas, sought an interlocutory injunction restraining  Fayemi from swearing-in Alawe as the council chairman.

    Read Also: Fayemi seeks new formula for revenue allocation

    The claimants sought the following declarations:

    • ”Whether the 1st defendant is empowered under the Council of Traditional Rulers Law, Cap 15, Laws of Ekiti State 2012, to appoint the chairman of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers on a bi-annual rotational basis from among only class of Obas constituted Alademerindinlogun/Pelupelu Obas of Ekiti State; and
    • ”That the claimants are the only valid authentic Obas or traditional rulers under the classification of Alademerindinlogun qualified to be so appointed as chairman.”

    The plaintiffs also sought a declaration that the 3rd respondent can’t be appointed as chairman of the council in consonance with the Ekiti State Traditional Council Law.

    By composition, the Council of Ekiti State Traditional Council has permanent and rotational members.

    The statutes stipulate that “The permanent and rotational members shall be appointed by the governor from among the recognised traditional rulers in Ekiti State; and

    “There shall be a chairman for the council who shall be appointed by the governor on bi-annual rotation among the Pelupelu Obas in the state.”

    In a letter earlier written to the governor on August 2 and signed by 15 Pelupelu Obas with the exception of Oore of Otun, Oba Adedapo Popoola, who travelled abroad, the monarchs told Fayemi to reverse the action.