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Tag: Kayode Fayemi

  • Updated: FEC bids Fayemi farewell 

    The immediate past Minister of Mines and Steel, Kayode Fayemi on Wednesday attended his last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The Council held a valedictory session for Fayemi, who has resigned his appointment to run for the governorship election in Ekiti State billed for July 14.

    President Muhammadu Buhari noted that he was reluctantly allowing Fayemi to go to his state because of his constructive contributions at FEC meetings.

    He said “As I sat here, I watched every minister that spoke and about his contributions, this revealed not only intellect but when he is given the necessary time to contribute to important memorandum, he made contributions. This shows commitment to the progressive of this government and the country.

    “By chance he was given the portfolio of solid minerals and steel development and you know that sector was virtually abandoned. During the colonial days, they took what they wanted from us – tin, columbite and the rest were the priorities until they struck oil somewhere, it was simply priority of investment shifted offshore.

    “When he went in, he began to deal with both Nigerians and foreigners that are exploiting the lack of commitment of those who are responsible of that sector before he went there. If you recall the number of children and women that suffered from the effect of mining in Zamfara State and other parts of the country and the people responsible, knowing that Nigeria will dump as decently as possible.

    “He only briefed me occasionally but he was packing them out of the country, with the cooperation of some his colleagues he will come here and let me know.” he said

    He urged Fayemi to get Ekiti State for APC.

    He said “I hope you will get the Ekiti back for the party. The only time I saw the INEC chair was to insist that go voters Education should be emphasized, so that ordinary Nigerians will believe that Nigeria is beginning to respect them and that their PVC is their status.

    “And then couple with the card readers, God willing we are here with the help of technology. Because, previous elections and I am in the position to say so having lost three times and got to Supreme Court, I know if not for technology, we will be doing the same thing.

    “A lot of constituencies were bought, voters were allocated and results were announced and people were told to go to court if they don’t agree with it.

    “Now, for someone who is looking for the next meal, how is he going to get the money to give   to SAN, to demand for justice for his marginalization.

    “So, we thank technology because with the introduction of PVC and the readers’ card, votes counted. Please go and emphasize this to your constituencies, let Nigerians be respected that they can vote anybody across any party and at any constituency.

    “I think that will give them the pride to voluntarily go and vote. It is not easy to go to Supreme Court three times, but I went through it, I wonder how many people will be proud to go through it in this country.

    “So, we certainly wish you the best of luck but it will take me sometimes to get a substantive minister and more so with the 2019 prospects that I have already indicated. But we need a very strong minister, strong in intellect and courage, so as to make sure that both the Nigerian and foreign collaborators of taking away our resources can be checked effectively.

    “We thank you very much for your contribution for your country. Goodbye, we will come for the inauguration.” he added

    Six members of the cabinet were selected from the six geopolitical zones to speak on Fayemi.

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu said that Fayemi is both special and unique.

    According to him, he played important roles in the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and creation of the Progressives Governors Forum.

    Read Also:Ekiti 2018: Election ‘Fire’ will consume Fayose, says Fayemi

    Minister of Interior, Abdulraman Danbazzau said “I found him to be a gentle man and an academic of repute.

    “We became very close during the campaigns. We are going to miss him in this chamber because of his contributions to discussions, which have increased the informed decisions we have taken here.

    “I want to wish him success in the campaign and wish he wins the election.” he added

    The Minister of Women Affairs, Amina Alhassan said that Fayemi has repositioned the Ministry of Mines and Steel in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision.

    She also noted that Fayemi was a gender friendly minister.

    “He is a He for She and has always included women in his programmes. The Nigerian women miss you already.

    On her part, Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said “He is a unique public servant.”

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said that Fayemi was instrumental to his success as Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum.

    Amaechi, who was former Rivers State Governor, said “It is difficult to speak about Fayemi. You cannot talk about my success as Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum without talking about Fayemi. I wish him best of luck.”

    Fayemi’s Deputy, Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Bawa Bwari said that the Ministry will greatly miss him.

    He said “What we met on ground at the Mines and Steel Development Ministry, when we came on board, was so discouraging that we didn’t know where to start from.”

    According to him, the success recorded in the sector in the past three years was due to Fayemi’s leadership.

    The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who was not part of those selected to speak on Fayemi from the six geopolitical zones, told his colleagues that he had something to say against Fayemi.

    Complaining that Fayemi, who had been very close to him has now been dodging him since his ambition to get Ekiti gubernatorial seat.

    He also pointed out that Fayemi will be more useful at the national level than in Ekiti State.

    Adamu later urged his colleagues to support Fayemi to win the forthcoming Ekiti gubernatorial election.

    In his remarks, Fayemi, who jokingly said that he would have to learn how to dodge bullets, said that his winning Ekiti State Governorship seat will not be a national loss as it will give more opportunity to serve the country and the President better.

    He said “At occasions like this, words normally fail me. But I have to say thank you to Mr. President for the opportunity to serve the people and also for agreeing for me to run for the Ekiti Gubernatorial seat.”

    He also thanked his colleagues for all their supports in moving the country forward and the progress made in the past three years.

    According to him, he had no regret of been called ‘Buhari’s Boy’, because Buhari stood for transparency and accountability.

  • Ekiti 2018: Election ‘Fire’ will consume Fayose, says Fayemi

    Adeyeye: Fayose is a cancer that must be removed

     

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has declared that Governor Ayo Fayose will not be able to survive the heat of the July 14 election.

    Fayemi declared that “the coming fire will consume Fayose up to the root” as the progressives are determined to take over power to give Ekiti people governance.

    He made the declaration on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti when he visited the leaders and members of the Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement (PAAM) who have just left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC.

    The PAAM group led by former Minister of State for Works and ex-PDP national spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, reiterated readiness to work for Fayemi’s victory at the poll.

    Adeyeye described Fayose as a “cancer that must be removed from the body of Ekiti” for the state to enjoy a new lease of life.

    Addressing the crowd of PAAM members that came from all the 16 local government areas, Fayemi said they are welcomed in the APC as they will not be treated as newcomers but bona fide party members who will enjoy full privileges.

    He described Adeyeye’s joining of the APC as “homecoming” recalling that the former minister served as the National Publicity Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Afenifere.

    The APC flag bearer stressed that the task to rescue Ekiti from impunity and bad governance is a collective one adding that all hands must be on deck to defeat Fayose and his protégé, Prof. Kolapo Olusola.

    Fayemi said: “You know when the heat is turned on our friend, you know how he reacts. The coming fire will consume Fayose up to the root.

    Read Also: Ekiti 2018: Work for Fayemi’s victory, Oni tells Supporters

    “Now, Ekiti people have become butt of jokes as people use to ask Ekiti people that how did we get this mad dog and fraudster as the governor?

    “The coming battle is about Ekiti liberation; let us chase this mad dog away first. What I have seen here today shows that God is ready to set Ekiti free from bondage.

    “We will give everything it will take us and everything needed to achieve it, God will give us.

    “We will not use power but we will only use logistics; we don’t need power, we only need logistics and those logistics will make the election to be free, fair, credible and transparent.

    “Although he boasts in the open, Fayose is a coward; I only pity the innocent man who will be dumped at the end but we shall accommodate him back at his lecturing job in Ife after the election.”

    Fayemi also used the forum to allay the fears of teachers and civil servants that he was coming back for revenge. He promised better welfare package for all categories of workers if elected again.

    Adeyeye declared that Fayose will be politically buried on July 14 declaring the readiness of his political structure to work harder to achieve victory at the poll.

    He disclosed that members of his political family resolved to work with Fayemi rather than moving to another party because they saw APC as a realistic structure to rescue Ekiti from the suffering and hardship allegedly inflicted on the people by Fayose regime.

    Adeyeye said further: “We are serious with this election more than our people already in APC before we came and we are even more serious about this election than JKF.

    “Fayose will be buried politically in Ekiti State on July 14, we must uproot Fayose completely because we have been cutting is branches gradually all this while.

    “Fayose is a cancer in Ekiti State, we must remove him. Fayose don’t behave like a true Ekiti son because we are not thieves, we are not fraudsters and we are not extortioners.

    “Over twelve political parties came to me offering me their governorship tickets but I said this is not a small battle, we decided to join a strong platform to chase away the bull in the china’s shop and that was how we arrived at the choice of APC.

    “Fayemi is a man of integrity, he is well educated to the highest level, he is an illustrious son of Ekiti, he is urbane and approachable and we believe we can work with him.

    “He is reliable and he is a man we can work with, we decided to work with Fayemi because we believe he will perform well. We have discussed and we believe PAAM members will be treated well in APC.

    “In 2014, Fayose came here and begged and said he had changed. If you said Fayose was bad at that time, he is now worse and has become incorrigible.

    “But Fayemi is learned, civilized and belongs to the right place. In the coming election, it will be 16-0 against Fayose.”

    A patron of PAAM and former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Afolabi Ojuawo, urged party faithful to go back to their wards and local government areas to work for an APC victory.

    Ojuawo said Fayemi and Adeyeye are forming a formidable team for victory saying continuity agenda of Fayose is not in the interest of Ekiti.

  • Ekiti 2018: Work for Fayemi’s victory, Oni tells Supporters

    The runner-up in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary, Chief Segun Oni, has urged his supporters to work for the victory of the governorship flag bearer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the July 14 poll.

    Oni, a former governor and a contender for the party’s ticket, appealed to his supporters to put the primary election defeat behind them and support Fayemi to the governorship seat for APC.

    He spoke on Tuesday at his Ifaki Ekiti country home while addressing his campaign council chairmen and other members of the team drawn from the 16 local government areas.

    Oni asked everyone who believes in the APC project to forget whatever that happened during and after the party primary and work for the success of the party.

    He said: “If we are really loyal to Chief Segun Oni and believe in my principle, we must keep this party alive and work together as one by remaining committed and dedicated to its success in the July 14 election.

    Read Also: Ex-lawmakers rally support for Fayemi

    “We remain in APC. We are to work for the party and it has a candidate, in person of Dr. Kayode Fayemi. We have a duty to help the Nigerian political process to further evolve.

    “The idea of aspirants jumping ship after primaries must be discouraged. If we won, we would have expected others to remain and work with us,” he added.

    Oni assured his supporters that their interests would be adequately protected.

    The party candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who came visiting shortly before the meeting, addressed the gathering, which was at the instance of Oni.

    Fayemi promised to carry everybody along in the administration of the state if elected as the governor saying he holds everybody in the party in high esteem.

    He said: “The party had 33 aspirants during the primary, that simply means that we have 33 leaders in the state and I want to assure everyone that no one would be left behind in the running of the governance in the state.

    “I hold everybody in high regard and I want to appeal to you to join hands with me as the candidate of the party to ensure that we take over the governance of the state. Anything done for me is for the party and I am saying that we shall all reap the fruit together.”

  • Police dismiss cop who shot Bamidele, five other APC Members

    … To face trial soon

    The Police have dismissed the trigger-happy mobile policeman who shot former House of Representatives member, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele and five other party faithful on Friday.

    The culprit whose name was yet to be revealed opened fire at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat last Friday at the welcome rally held for the governorship flag bearer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Bamidele and five other injured party members were hospitalized but the former federal lawmaker has been relocated to Lagos for post-surgery treatment.

    The officer was battered by angry party members who smashed his head, inflicted injuries on him and dispossessed him of his service rifle.

    Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Mr. Bello Ahmed, disclosed on Monday that the mobile policeman has been dismissed from service to pave the way for his trial in court as soon as he is discharged from the hospital.

    The police boss who spoke on a live programme on Channels Television disclosed that the politician who brought the policeman to Ekiti State from his Lagos base has been detained and he is being grilled by interrogators.

    Ahmed said the politician will also be arraigned in court as soon as the Police conclude their investigation into the shooting incident.

    He said: “The policeman involved is dismissed already and even though he’s nursing some injury.

    “At the appropriate time, he will face the law of course. Nigerians will be briefed on the outcome of our actions.”

    Read Also: Ekiti Shooting: Bamidele in stable condition

    Ahmed also spoke on the readiness of the command to regulate the activities of political parties to prevent violence and other acts that could lead to breakdown of law and order.

    Part of the measures, according to him, was the deployment of armed policemen from neighbouring states which he said would be a continuous exercise as election approaches.

    He added: “We have robust arrangement to regulate and observe these political activities as they unfold in Ekiti State, in fact in the entire state.

    “We just got a robust deployment of mobile policemen and that will be increased as the campaigns are progressing.

    “You know what is on the ground will determine what will be done. If the satiation on ground dictates we behave otherwise, we will do provided it is within the confines of the law.

    “This morning (Monday) I’ll be having a meeting with all the political parties’ chairmen. We have programmes for them.

    “We are going to regulate every inch of activity in the state. We will not sit down and tolerate any act of lawlessness, whoever is involved.

    “The police, we are willing, competent to take action against any group or persons, either individual or groups as far this campaign is concerned.”

    Meanwhile, political parties have promised to rein in their members and maintain peace before, during and after the July 14 poll.

    They gave the commitment at a meeting held with the Police Commissioner, Bello Ahmed, at the state police headquarters in Ado-Ekiti on Monday.

    Ekiti State APC Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe, described the meeting as a fruitful deliberation, saying the police boss spoke frankly and expressed his feelings about the comportment of political parties.

    “The police boss spoke frankly and he told us to warn our supporters to respect the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act and this we have to do in the interest of our dear state.

    “We want to rule over living and not dead people, so we need to exercise restraint in the way we conduct ourselves”.

    The PDP Chairman, Chief Gboyega Oguntuase, said what the police boss preached at the meeting was civility and decorum from all political parties, which he assured his party will comply with.

    “As much as we believe in this, he must also not be unaware of something, you can’t rig election and be expecting decorum.

    “What our people will resist is corruption and rigging and once the police and other security agencies are ready to be neutral, then there will be peace”.

    National Democratic Liberty Party (NDLP) Chairman, Mr. Ifedayo Iyaniwura, said parties urged the CP to ensure security at the poll in which 35 parties will participate unlike the 18 that took part in the 2014 poll.

    Speaking at the forum, Ahmed said the command won’t fold its arms and allow people to breach the 1999 constitution and the Electoral Act in the name of election.

    He said the meeting convened for stakeholders to brainstorm on how to ensure peaceful conduct of the coming governorship election and that the riot act has been read to them to serve as a guided principle.

    The Police boss assured that his men will be neutral in the July 14 election and won’t do anything that would make them look as if they were working for a certain political party.

    “What I want from men is professionalism. We are going to be guided by the instrumentality of the law, because this election is going to be a different ball game”.

    On the deployment of more anti-riot policemen to Ekiti since last week, Ahmed said:  “You know what is on the ground will determine what will be done. If the satiation on ground dictates we behave otherwise, we will do provided it is within the confines of the law.

    “We are going to regulate every inch of activity in the state. We will not sit down and tolerate any act of lawlessness, whoever is involved.

    “The police, we are willing, competent to take action against any group or persons, either individual or groups as far this campaign is concerned.”

  • Ex-rep Bamidele, three others shot at Fayemi’s rally

    There was confusion at the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat on Friday when a trigger-happy Mobile Policeman (MOPOL) opened fire as the party’s flag bearer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, arrived to a tumultuous welcome.

    Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele and three other party members were hit by the bullets fired by the unidentified cop.

    Bamidele who was hit on the arm in the orgy of shooting was said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital at the time of filing this report.

    Fayemi, his wife, Bisi, Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, deputy governorship candidate, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Secretary to Ondo State Government, Mr. Ifedayo Abegunde and other senior party figures escaped being killed.

    They had all accompanied Fayemi from the Akure Airport to Ekiti State where they were received by unprecedented crowds of party supporters and residents in Ikere-Ekiti and Ado-Ekiti.

    The shooting which happened at about 5.00 pm happened as Fayemi and members of his entourage were making their way out of the party secretariat to continue the rally round the town.

    The MOPOL officer who fired the gunshots was overpowered and disarmed by angry party members and given the beating of his life but was later saved by his colleagues from being killed by the angry mob.

    Read Also: Fayemi bows out as Solid Minerals minister

    Party members alleged that he was a fake MOPOL officer sent to disrupt the rally calling on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to investigate the shooting incident.

    The culprit was trying to keep the surging crowd at bay when he suddenly opened fire but lost control by shooting sporadically in a wrong direction.

    Party leaders carried Bamidele and other victims from the scene.

    The angry party men disarmed the policeman and descended on him and smashed his head with sticks and other dangerous weapons before being rescued and taken to a safe custody.

    The incident caused pandemonium at Ajilosun area of Ado-Ekiti as residents scampered to safety to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

    The entourage was received by the state APC executive led by the Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe.

    Before the shooting fiasco, Akeredolu and Fayemi, while addressing party leaders and members, declared the readiness of the APC to rescue Ekiti from poverty, hunger and underdevelopment.

    Akeredolu applauded the party members for putting behind them the post primary crisis, saying with the crowd he saw today that Ekiti remains the stronghold of the APC.

    Akeredolu said: “Fayemi has returned with full force to reclaim the land. He needs your support and this task shall be achieved in the mighty name of God.”

    Fayemi said: “We are here to work for Ekiti and our party leaders and this we are going to do together because it is a collective responsibility”.

    “We are going to work with everybody, including those who just decamped to our party, because we are one big family in APC.

    “We shall win by the grace of God. Our case was like the case of a ram who moved backward to garner more strength. We are here to rescue Ekiti and it is a task we must achieve”.

    Adeyeye, who joined the APC on Tuesday after twelve years in the PDP, said “Fayose is politically dead and buried.”

    “I have returned home and my mission is to ensure that we killed Fayose politically by burying him.

    “We shall mobilize well to achieve this task and by the grace of God, this is a must-win and must accomplished task for all of us.”

    Earlier in the day, massive crowd trooped out in their thousands to welcome Fayemi into the state as the motorcade passed through Akure, Iju, Itaogbolu in Ondo State before the train reached Ekiti State.

    There was a massive lockdown at Oke Osun, Odo Oja Oke’kere areas of Ikere where thousands of party faithful had gathered to welcome the flag bearer. The convoy arrived Ikere township at about 3.00 pm.

    It took another one hour for the train to reached Ado-Ekiti where mammoth crowd was waiting to receive Fayemi and his team. They arrived the state capital at about 4.00 pm.

    Enthusiastic residents held placards, banners and flyers with Fayemi’s portraits.

    Fayemi was also welcomed by the Hausa, Ebira, Igbo and Urhobo communities, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), market women and commercial motorcycle riders.

    Traffic was at a standstill along Ikere Road in Ado-Ekiti for about three with party members holding party on the highway.

    Situation in Ado-Ekiti was calm as party members and other residents expressed surprise at the shooting incident.

  • Fayemi bows out as Minister

    …Lists achievements in Mines and Steel

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari has officially accepted the resignation of Dr. Kayode Fayemi who until on Wednesday was the Minister of Mines and Steel Development.

    Fayemi who stated this on Wednesday at a validetary press conference revealed that the President accepted his resignation to enable pursue other political interests.

    He added that it is with a deep sense of pride about his contributions to the landmark achievements which he and his team have achieve in the sector and thus he is transitioning out with head held high.

    Fayemi also said that his overall goal was to ensure the sector contributes optimally to the building of a strong and virile economy that supports human development goals.

    Listing his score card to members of the media, Fayemi revealed that he began with developing a Roadmap for the ministry which was approved by the Federal Executive Council on August 31, 2016.

    He added, “The ministry sought for and obtained approveal for N30bn (approx. $100m) intervention fund from the Federal Government, partly to help provide cheap loans and grants to industry participants as well as for directly investing in foundation infrastructure.

    “We also secured support from the World Bank for the funding of the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification (MSSED or MinDiver) program, a critical component of which is to provide technical assistance for the restructuring and operationalization of the Solid Minerals Development Fund, which would make finance available to ASM operators through micro-finance and leasing institutions.

    “Similarly, we have reached an advanced stage in assembling a $600M investment fund for the sector, working with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, the Nigerian Stock Exchange and other financial institutions.

    Read Also: Fayemi refute report on running mate

    “We have facilitated payment and the release of the results of the aeromagnetic survey of the whole country carried out since 2006, but which had not been released due to non-payment.

    ” Our Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) has undertaken additional ground investigations nation-wide to upgrade our National Minerals Database and to further ascertain the assays of our mineral assets to the level that can easily attract financial investments and assure operators of the scope of operations required for further exploration and/or mining.

    “The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) has also signed and operationalised MoUs and Technical Cooperation Agreements with the China Geological Surveys, Shandong Mineral Exploration Agency and the National Office Hydrocarbons and Mines ‘ONHYM’ of Morocco. The collaborations are intended to leverage on the expertise and state-of-the-art technologies of these organizations in assisting Nigeria generate investor friendly geoscience data.

    “The Ministry has initiated engagements with SGS, a world-renowned material testing company, to strengthen the capacity NGSA Laboratory Facilities in Kaduna towards achieving ISO 17025 accreditation within the shortest possible period.

    “As part of the support we received from the Natural Resources Fund, the Ministry has finalized exploration initiatives totaling N15 billion allowing successful entities help with the exploration of priority minerals like Gold, Lead, Zinc, Rare earth metals to mention a few.

    ” Launched a N5 billion fund (made up of N2.5 billion by SMDF & a counterpart fund of N2.5 billion by Bank of Industry) to provide single digit interest loans to Artisanal and Small & Medium scale miners.

    “Secured, through the Federal Government, a $150million loan from the World Bank to commence the Mineral Diversification (MinDiver) Project aimed at funding strategic interventions in the Sector.

    “We have made progress in resolving the legal issues around our legacy projects, particularly Ajaokuta. We have signed a Modified Concession Agreement (MCA) that has allowed for the commencement of the return of the entity to the Federal Government of Nigeria. We have in place a timeline of action which would see the legacy plant become operational in the near future. We are at this time concluding an audit process, further to which we would fully take over the plant. We are taking the most appropriate steps in our national interest to ensure Ajaokuta is finally put to work after several false starts in the past.

    “On ALSCON, we have also made significant progress in our efforts to bring the Company back to life with the approval of the National Council on Privatisation that the company be given to UC Rusal with clear conditionalities for resuscitation.

    “The Re-activation of the Mineral Resource and Environmental Management Committees (MIREMCO) in 20 states. Ten (10) States have so far been mobilised with take-off grants and operational vehicles.

    “Establishing and equipping the Mines Environmental Analytical Laboratory in the Ministry to enhance a reliable data collection from mines field for compliance monitoring and maintenance of data bank.

    “Procured 40 Field Vehicles for the Presidential Special Mines Surveillance Task Force to monitor illegal mining activities

    “Operationalised several existing MoUs and a number of new ones between the Federal Government and other countries like the Republic of South Africa , the Peoples Republic of China, e.t.c.

    “We have initiated the optimization of the Gold Value Chain with a view to Instituting a Federal Gold Reserve Scheme, in which the Central Bank of Nigeria shall be involved. This initiative would also include a National Gold Purchase Scheme that would involve cultivating partnerships with state governments towards improving their beneficial participation in the gold value chain especially as it touches on production, technics, trading, health and safety, and environmental protection.”

  • Ekiti: Former PDP aspirant Adeyeye, supporters join APC

    …Says Fayose is a predator feeding on Ekiti wealth

     

    Former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has formally joined the  All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He disclosed that he was joining the APC alongside his political structure, the Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement (PAAM) in all the 16 local government areas.

    Adeyeye said he was joining the APC to allign forces with other eminent Ekiti sons and daughters to free the state from the vulture and predator feeding fat on the state’s commonwealth.

    The former Minister of State for Works pledged to work for the victory of the APC governorship flag bearer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to give good governance to the people of the state.

    He urged the people of Ekiti to repose confidence and trust in Fayemi and ignore the allegation from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) camp that the APC flag bearer was coming back to power on revenge mission.

    According to him, he was not joining the APC to grab the deputy governorship ticket saying Fayemi would soon unveil the identity of his running mate.

    He pointed out that by his decision to move to the APC alongside his supporters, he was saying no to Fayose’s “continuity of impunity, imposition, poverty and unprecedented looting of the people’s common patrimony.”

    Adeyeye addressed a news conference on Tuesday at his Ado-Ekiti residence was flanked by his wife, Princess Adetomilola, and two former aides of Governor Ayo Fayose, Alhaji Ademola Bello and Mr. Deji Adesua.

    Bello who resigned two weeks ago from Fayose’s cabinet served as Special Adviser on Cultural Matters while Adesua was Commissioner for Public Utilities.

    Adeyeye, who also served as PDP National Caretaker Committee Publicity Secretary, lost the governorship primary to Fayose’s preferred successor, Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola.

    Olusola won the primary with 1,191 votes while Adeyeye polled 771.

    Read Also: Tinubu invites Falana, Ajibade to APC

    Adeyeye alleged that Fayose’s order that delegates should wear “aso ebi” to the shadow poll and the governor’s personal monitoring of votes at the exercise swung the pendulum of victory in Olusola’s favour.

    The ex-minister who hails from Ise-Ekiti in Ekiti South senatorial district served as the National Publicity Secretary of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Egbe Afenifere, and also served as the National Publicity Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

    He left the progressives fold in December 2006 when he contested in the Action Congress (AC) governorship primary won by Fayemi alleging the exercise was marred by irregularities.

    The politician, who was a journalist and lawyer, joined the PDP and was made State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Chairman by former Governor Segun Oni before he was later appointed Minister of State for Works by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Shortly after the primary that produced Olusola as winner, Adeyeye vowed not to work for Fayose’s continuity agenda which he said was not in the interest of Ekiti people.

    Addressing reporters at Tuesday’s briefing, Adeyeye said he would not allow party loyalty to becloud his patriotic zeal for collective interest and future of Ekiti people.

    Adeyeye said: “Gentlemen of the press, you will recall that I addressed you two days after the PDP Governorship primary in Ekiti State and I stated on that occasion that I was leaving the PDP.

    “Leaving the PDP was not an easy decision to make. That was a party to which I have rendered invaluable service at the most trying period of its history.

    “Expectedly patriotic leaders of the party appealed to me to reconsider my decision in the light of my previous services and loyalty to the party.

    “But the issue was never about me as a person. It was about the interest of the very many people who associate with me and more importantly the collective interest and future of Ekiti people.

    “For me politics has always been an opportunity to serve and make contribution towards the development of my community and the nation.

    “Therefore where I am compelled to make a choice between loyalty to a political party and loyalty to my community, l will readily choose my community or state.

    “Political parties come and go but the community remains. I cannot change my state or hometown but I can always change my party if I feel that it can no longer serve as a vehicle for our collective good as a people.

    “As a thoroughbred Ekiti person with a deep love of this land and the people It is incumbent on me to resist and stop the evil agenda of one man to put our people in perpetual enslavement.”

    He added: “I have said No to Fayose’s continuity of dictatorship, impunity, imposition, poverty, unprecedented looting of our common patrimony and deliberate debasement of the self esteem of our people.

    “For my friends, admirers, patrons and well wishers, I want to reiterate that Fayose is an impossible person to deal with.

    “A pompous martinet with a huge ego, he is deliberately divisive and deceitful. He does not believe in reconciliation and no effort at reconciliation will work with him.

    “Therefore after deep introspection and wide consultation with various stakeholders in this State, my supporters and I have decided to leave Egypt which the Fayose administration represents and join hands with patriotic Ekiti people to board the train of the APC for the onward journey to our promised land.

    “We are joining forces with eminent Ekiti sons and daughters to free our land from the vulture and predator feeding fat on our commonwealth.

    “We want to set our land free and never again shall we entrust our land unto the hands of unknown person with unverifiable pedigree to ride roughshod on our people.

    “We have assurances of Dr. Kayode Fayemi the APC candidate that he has come to right the wrong of the past and not on a vengeance mission as being touted by Fayose and his cohorts.

    “He is now better equipped, well focused and better prepared to move Ekiti forward. Let’s join hands with him in the collective mission to rescue our dear State from the greedy predator in this hour of our greatest need. This is a call to duty for all patriotic Ekiti sons and daughters.

    “My supporters, associates, PAAM and I have finally resolved to join APC with effect from today 29th May in the celebration of democracy day that some of us fought gallantly to achieve from the military.”

  • I will soon resign as minister, says Fayemi

    *I’m on rescue mission – Fayemi

     

    The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday said that he will resign his appointment as Minister of Mines and Steel Development in a week time.

    Fayemi has emerged the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti gubernatorial race,

    Stressing that he is on a rescue mission to Ekiti State, he said that has crossed a critical hurdle having emerged as the flag bearer of the ruling party in the governorship election in Ekiti.

    Read Also: Kayode Fayemi set to change game in Ekiti

     He spoke with State House correspondents after the Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura, who was the chairman of APC-Guber primaries committee.

    He said there is a lot of work to do and he and his co-contestants are seeing the coming election as a collective rescue mission.

  • Buhari congratulates Fayemi for winning APC Guber ticket

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated former Governor of Ekiti State and Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi, for winning the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) ticket to contest the July 14, 2018 governorship elections.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu in Abuja on Sunday, President Buhari commendd all the participants in the keenly contested position, who passionately worked hard to serve the state as governors.

    He urged them to keep upholding the values and philosophy of the party by supporting the APC candidate in the forthcoming elections.

    Read Also: Buhari congratulates APC candidate

    According to the President, Fayemi’s track record in the state as a reformist, with a penchant for building educational infrastructure and promoting the welfare of the ordinary people, will bolster his chances at the forthcoming polls.

    He noted that ”the successful primaries in the state, with more than 30 aspirants, further validate the credentials of the APC on internal democracy, and its preparedness to take the country to another level of development”

    Fayemi defeated other 32 contestants in the poll when he got 941 out of the 2337 votes cast by the delegates during the exercise.

    Another former governor of the state, Segun Oni, who secured 481 votes, came second.

    NAN

     

  • Ekiti 2018: Ajayi denies withdrawing for Fayemi

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Mr. Debo Ranti Ajayi, has denied stepping down for former governor and fellow aspirant, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Ajayi described the insinuations in some quarters that he was working for Fayemi as “grossly unfair, incongruous and libelous falsehood and fabrication of the imagination of mischief makers.”

    Addressing a news conference in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, Ajayi said he remained in the race and would challenge for the party’s ticket at the primary election scheduled for Saturday.

    Read Also: Fayemi congratulates Olusola

    Ajayi said: “It is most unfortunate that some persons, who are insecure about their chances at the coming primaries, are bent on perpetrating these lies and rumours.

    “For the avoidance of any doubt, my aspiration is a call to service and a response to the agitation of the South Senatorial district to produce the next Governor.

    “My motives are borne out of a commitment to the Ekiti Restoration project and the desire to offer my expertise, both as a technocrat and politician, to provide unparalleled leadership and the best governance in the service of Ekiti land.

    “I wish to reassure all my supporters and friends that I am running my own race as a David appointed and anointed by God for a task assigned by God alone.

    “I am answerable to God who called me and cannot and will not step down for another. I therefore intend to participate and if God be true, intend to win the primary election holding tomorrow (Saturday), 12th May, 2018.”