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Tag: Kayode Fayemi

  • Ekiti 2018: Buhari grants Fayemi leave for guber race

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a leave of absence requested by Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    The leave granted was to allow him, former governor of Ekiti State, to seek the nomination of his party, the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) to stand as a candidate in the July 14 governorship poll.

    According to a statement on Monday signed by Fayemi’s media aide, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, the one-month had commenced on April 9.

    It reads: “The attention of the Media office of Dr Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, has been drawn to media some reports putting the date for the commencement of his leave at April 30th.

    “As a matter of fact, Dr Fayemi had commenced the one-month leave on April 9 the as approved by the President, following the Minister’s request.

    “This is just to put the record straight and avoid any further mix up on the issue of the leave approved for the honourable Minister, who is a governorship aspirant on the APC.”

    Oyebode noted that the clarification became necessary to educate certain individuals calling for Fayemi’s disqualification over non-resignation as minister before joining the governorship race.

  • Oluleye joins Ekiti Guber race

    Mr Oluwole Oluleye, a former Executive Secretary, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) on Friday picked the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for forthcoming Ekiti governorship election.

    Oluleye who picked the forms at the All Progressives Congress (APC)’ National Secretariat in Abuja promised to lay a foundation for solid development of Ekiti using the agricultural potentials of the state.

    The aspirant told newsmen after picking the forms that he would improve the well-being of Ekiti people through agriculture. “Ekiti is predominantly an agrarian state, we will utilise what is available in the state to get our economy growing.

    “This is basically why I am on the race. The level of poverty I see in the state in the mist of plenty is totally unacceptable.

    “I firmly believe that I can change the situation within the shortest possible time; I will alleviate poverty through agriculture,” he said.

    The aspirant who was also a former Executive Secretary Petroleum Technology Development Funds (PTDF) said if elected, he would deliver good governance and high living standard in all aspects.

    He maintained that his administration would ensure that good standard was set for the younger generation to emulate and to build on.
    Oluleye stressed that Ekiti at the moment, needed the best hands to govern it, adding that he had the experience and exposure to take it to the desired level of development.

    “Ekiti needs the best hands now to pilot it to where it should be.

    “With the experiences I have garnered both locally and internationally, I will take the state to where it is supposed to be,” he said.

    According to our reporter, the APC nomination form is given out to an aspirant at N5 million while the expression of interest form is N500, 000.

    No fewer than twenty aspirants had so far picked the forms to contest the Ekiti governorship election slated for July 14.

    The aspirants include; the state´s immediate past governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and a Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, Sen. Babafemi Ojodu.

    Also in the race are; Opeyemi Bamidele, Victor Kolade and Dr Yaya Kolade who is the only female so far in the race, among others.

    According to a time-table earlier issued by the party, screening of aspirants would commence from April 23 to April 25, while the screening appeal committee would sit from April 26 to April 27.

    The primary is scheduled for May 5, while the appeals that might emanate from the exercise would be heard between May 7 and May 9.

    NAN

     

  • Ekiti 2018: Fayemi will restore Ekiti’s lost glory – Group

    A political pressure group, the John Kayode Fayemi Group (JKFG) has welcomed the decision of Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to run for the Ekiti State governorship seat.

    The group said Fayemi’s entry will enrich the governorship race and give him an opportunity to offer his service to the people.

    Fayemi told reporters at a press briefing over the weekend that he would seek the nomination of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest in the 2018 governorship election.

    He promised to formally declare after the lifting of ban on open campaign by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    In a statement on Thursday by its State Coordinator, Comrade Bisi Dada and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Victor Irewolede, the JKFG said Fayemi’s return will make Ekiti better in all sectors.

    The group expressed appreciation to the various interest groups who mounted pressure on Fayemi to take another shot at the governorship ahead of the July 14 governorship poll.

    It identified the stakeholders that mounted pressure on Fayemi to contest to include politicians, labour movement, youths,  students, women groups, artisans, civil servants, among others.

    JKFG urged the APC delegates to vote Fayemi at the May 5 primary to have another opportunity to view for the governorship seat.

    It expressed confidence that the minister would win the governorship poll if fielded as his party’s flag bearer.

    The statement said: “Dr Fayemi, in agreeing to view for the governorship post again has promised to surpass his achievements of his first tenure.

    “He will continue to  enhance the welfare of all civil servants and teachers through payment of special allowances to teachers and all categories of workers.

    “He has also reiterated that the social security scheme for the aged will bounce back.

    “It is on this note that we solicit the support of all teachers, civil servants,the youth and all people of the state in making Dr Kayode Fayemi the preferred candidate in the forthcoming general election.

    “Dr Fayemi will bring back the lost glory of Ekiti  State which has deteriorated over the past few years.

    “As at today, workers are owed several months of unpaid salaries, education sector is in comatose, elders no longer enjoy the social security scheme, infrastructural development is restricted to few towns.”

  • Fayemi declares interest in Ekiti guber poll

    Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has finally broken his silence on his speculated governorship ambition in Ekiti State.
    Fayemi said he would run for the state’s number one seat in the 2018 governorship poll but would visit the state secretariat of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to officially declared intent anytime from April 14.
    He said the official declaration would come once the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), lifts the ban on open campaign ahead of the Ekiti governorship poll.
    Fayemi, who was in office between October 2010 and October 2014 said his joining the governorship race was not debatable but he would not want to flout the law by declaring intent to contest when INEC was yet to blow the whistle for the race to start.
    The former governor who addressed a briefing on his ambition at his Isan-Ekiti country home on Sunday said everything constitutionally, legally and legitimately possible would be done to ensure an APC victory at the forthcoming governorship poll.
    Fayemi said: “Do you need a rocket scientist to tell you that I am running? I was very clear that I am a process person, I am not going to jump the gun because there are rules and guidelines for electioneering.
    “The body that is responsible for that has stated the obvious when you can actually start campaign. The fact that people are actually flouting the guidelines is a fault of INEC and INEC is not taking them up on it.
    “That is my own attitude to it and at appropriate time, I will tell my party because this is purely a party matter, it is not a public matter yet.
    “So, I don’t really understand the level of curiosity whether I am running or I am not running. I am very clear that what we have in this state today is not what this state deserves.
    “I have always been very clear that whatever it takes constitutionally, legally and legitimately to pout our party in office in October 2018, we will do as a party.
    “I have also gone ahead to say this meeting (held on Saturday) is our usual gathering; it is not a place to declare the intention to run but as to whether I am running or not, I am running.
    “That is not debatable but I am a process person, I am not going to flout the law. You will know, you will all be invited when I decide to formally declare within the ambit of the guideline issued by INEC.”
    The minister had earlier hosted party leaders from ward to state levels to a quarterly meeting on Saturday but did not publicly declare intent to run for governor at the gathering contrary to widespread speculations.
    He had said at the meeting: “INEC has just released election notice, they said public campaign begins in Ekiti State on April 14. Let’s wait till then, whether we are sure of ourselves or not, we will know.”
    At the meeting, Fayemi said he had learnt his lessons following the loss of power to Governor Ayo Fayose in the 2014 governorship election.
    Fayemi also called on party faithful who he had offended to forgive him while he also declared that he had forgiven those who offended him (Fayemi).
    He said party leaders had given assurance that a transparent, free and fair primary election would be conducted to choose the governorship flag bearer and promised that the winner of the shadow poll would be supported to win the main election.
    Fayemi said Fayose cannot threaten him with any White Paper saying he has a Red Card to show Fayose at the election. He urged APC members to
    hold their Red Card in one hand and their Permanent Voter Card in the other hand.
    The ex-governor, however, appealed supporters of governorship aspirants to stop running down others on the social media urging them to market their principals.
    The minister stressed that election is not won on Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media platforms but at the polling units.

  • Ajaokuta: Reps ask Buhari to stop concession

    The House of Representatives on Thursday advised President Muhammadu Buhari to stop Mines and Steel Development Minister, Dr Kayode Fayemi, from concession moves of Ajaokuta Steel Company.

    The House said that the stoppage was to give time for conclusion of review of the process ordered by the chamber as part of its drive to get the company back on stream. 

    The resolution followed a motion by Rep. Ahmed Yerima (Zamfara-APC) and 24 other lawmakers.

    The motion is entitled “Urgent Need to Investigate the Circumstances under Which the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Engaged the Globally Discredited PricewaterhouseCoopers ( PwC ) to audit Ajaokuta Steel Complex for Purposes of Concession.”

    Moving the motion, Yerima said he was aware that Fayemi recently announced, “and it was widely published’’, that Ajaokuta Steel Company would be given out on concession after an ongoing audit.

    He disclosed that audit of the company was undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which he alleged, had been discredited, “having been sanctioned in India with a two-year audit ban for infractions of over one billion dollars’’.

    The lawmaker said that the firm was also sanctioned in Brazil for which it paid 50 million dollars as fine, and was fined in the United Kingdom for 5.1 million pounds.

    He also said that the firm paid 225 million dollars and 25 million dollars, respectively, as fines to TYCO shareholders in the U.S and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishiw for laundering money for Iran, Sudan and Myanmar.

    He added that it was blacklisted for roles in terrorism and human rights abuses, among other infractions and irregularities in its operations, “which has left its reputation in tatters.”

    Yerima expressed concern by the allegation that PricewaterhouseCoopers was informally engaged by Global Steel to assist and advise them on how to recover Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Company ( NIOMCO ), Itakpe, from the Federal Government.

    He said he was worried that the minister engaged a company whose antecedents may suggest that they were engaged to audit and prepare reports which may skew the outcome in a pre-conceived manner.

    According to him, it may have done to favour parties which the minister may have lined up or which may represent the interests of their former clients ( GINL ).

    The legislator wondered why Bureau of Public Enterprises, and Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission ( ICRC ), established by law, was not involved in the audit and concession process.

    He accused Fayemi of deliberate plot to concession Ajaokuta Steel Company to a pre-determined group.

    He decried the minister’s submission that government could no longer spend additional funds on the company “when he is already spending N2 billion for the concession process’’ and where Nigeria spent over 3.5 billion dollars on steel importation.

    Yerima said since NIOMCO was handed again to Global Steel in “so called modified concession for a seven-year period with an option of a further 10 years, the plant which is integrated with Ajaokuta Steel Complex has remained moribund’’.

    According to him, this development is an indication of likely failure of yet another concession.

    Supporting the motion, Rep. Nicholas Ossai (Delta-PDP) said “this is a man that says that Ajaokuta cannot be brought to life but has spent N2 billion on the company 

    “This has to be investigated in line with section 88 of the 1999 Constitution. 

    In his contribution, Rep. Mohammed Abdu (Bauchi-APC) said “we know that the five countries of the world that have become world powers have their roots in steel industry. We cannot play with our common sovereign wealth.”

    Similarly, Rep. Bashir Babale (Kano-APC) reminded members that “this is a government that promised change and to fight corruption.

    “How much are we spending to import steel in this country? I wonder why the minister was in a hurry for this concession.

    “We need to be patriotic enough to make sure that what we do, we do it for Nigerians. I urge my colleagues to support this motion.”

    On his part, House Leader, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, called for a Bill to stop the concession of Ajaokuta Steel Company or amend existing law to check the process.

    Many lawmakers, including Edward Pwalok (Plateau-APC), Toby Okechukwu (Enugu-PDP), Aminu Shagari (Sokoto-APC) and Emmanuel Orker-Jev (Benue-APC) supported the motion.

    The House agreed that the decision to stop the concession process was in the interest of the nation’s economy and the anti-corruption fight of the Buhari administration.

    In adopting the motion, the lawmakers resolved to expand the mandate of its Ad Hoc Committee on Ajaokuta Steel Complex to include urgent consideration of possibility of a bill for completion of the company and prohibit its concession. 

    It equally mandated the committee to inquire into the rationale of engaging “a globally discredited firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers ( PWC ) to audit the company, without due process.

    The House consequently urged the Senate to concur on the motion and resolved to amend the National Council on Privatisation ( NCP ) Act to delete Ajaokuta Steel Complex from the list of companies for concession.

    NAN

  • FG projects N141b from mining by 2020

    According to the recently launched ‘Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (2017-2020)’, the Federal Government projects a sectoral contribution of N141 billion from Minerals and Metals to the GDP.

    This will be an increased contribution to the GDP, from N103 billion in 2015 to N141 billion in 2020, at an average annual growth rate of 8.54%.

    Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi made this revelation yesterday in Abuja, at the inauguration of the newly constituted Boards of agencies and parastatals.

    Fayemi also stated that other targets for the sector includes the facilitation of Coal to Power Plants to contribute to our energy mix towards bridging the energy deficits.

    His words, “The Mining sector remains crucial as one of the frontiers of the Federal Government’s recently launched ‘Economic Recovery & Growth Plan (2017-2020)’, in which the Minerals and Metals sector was duly recognised as one of those to drive Nigeria’s recovery. The strategic document projected to grow sectoral contribution to GDP from N103 billion (2015) to N141 billion in 2020, at an average annual growth rate of 8.54%.

    “Consequently, the Ministry has been selected as one of the critical players in the ERGP Focus Labs about to be launched by Mr. President this week.

    “Other targets for the sector include the facilitation of Coal to Power Plants to contribute to our energy mix towards bridging our energy deficits; the production of geological maps of the entire country by 2020 on a scale of 1:100,000; as well as the sustainable integration of artisanal miners into the formal sector.

    “Moreover, we are being guided by other far reaching prescriptions contained in our ‘Roadmap for the Growth and Development of the Mining Industry’, which was approved in August, 2016 by the Federal Executive Council, which provides a pathway for the sustainable turnaround and growth of the mining and metals sector over the short, medium, and long term. As you may well know, Institutional Strengthening and effective sector governance is one of the major themes that run through our roadmap.

    “It is therefore noteworthy that this inauguration is coming at a time we have commenced the full operationalisation of the Roadmap, as well as the implementation of the World Bank supported Mineral Diversification Project. We therefore count on the patriotic service of the new Board members to play their own part as crucial enablers in the industry, towards advancing a common vision for the revitalization of the sector.”

    Fifty three members were inaugurated into the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), National Steel Raw materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA), National Metallurgical Development Center (NMDC) and Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG), including four board chairmen.

     

  • No penny will be spent on Ajaokuta steel – Fayemi

    No penny will be spent on Ajaokuta steel – Fayemi

    Dr Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, on Thursday in Abuja said no penny will be spent by the Nigerian Government to revive Ajaokuta Steel Company.

    Fayemi said this while addressing newsmen on a ‘Vote of No Confidence’ passed on him by the House of Representatives recently.

    He said that government would not spend a dime to put Ajaokuta steel to use but would rather concession it to a capable company with good history of competence and financial buoyancy, among others virtues.

    About eight billion dollars had been sunk into the steel mill by previous administrations.

    Fayemi said a technical audit of the steel company is ongoing and would be completed in the next six weeks.

    He said after completion of the technical audit of the steel company, the ministry would declare it open for concession and only a competent bidder would be allowed to operate the company.

    “The position of the government is clear on Ajaokuta; that only a company that is verifiable, competent, financially buoyant will Ajaokuta be concessionned to after the technical audit is completed.

    “The rumour going on that Ajaokuta is at 98 per cent completion is not true; that is why the technical audit is going on to ascertain its level of completion and other information needed,’’ he said.

    On the vote of no confidence passed on him and his minister of state, he described it as an attack on their personalities and it was unacceptable.

    He said that since himself and the minister of state assumed office till date, they had appeared at the National Assembly four times – three at different House committee levels on the Ajaokuta steel situation.

    He said what led to the “attack’’ was an invitation sent to them to appear before the House on the Ajaokuta issue and they replied that they were currently indisposed but another date should be given to them to appear.

    He said instead of the house to understand with them, it raised vote of no confidence and the news went viral.

    “As if that was not enough, the Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, gave another news conference and passed a vote of no confidence on us in Lagos and that also went viral in the dailies.’’

    According to him, “we have made it clear to the house on what to do before we concession the steel plant in which the technical audit is on-going”.

    The minister said that most of the allegations made against him and the minister of state and the ministry’s officials were not only unfounded but malicious.

    He said while the House members reserved the right to discuss and pass resolutions on national issues, he took serious exception to a member of the House going outside the hallowed chambers to make spurious allegations against public servants.

    Members of the House of Representatives had passed a vote of no confidence on the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

    The members described their non-appearance as a contempt to the House and executive recklessness.(NAN)

  • APC will restore Awolowo’s legacies in Ekiti – Fayemi

    APC will restore Awolowo’s legacies in Ekiti – Fayemi

    The  Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi,  on Tuesday said the  All Progressives Congress (APC) would restore  the legacies of  the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in Ekiti.

    He spoke in Ado-Ekiti at the 109th posthumous  birthday of  Awolowo organised by the Ekiti  chapter of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG).

    Fayemi,  the immediate past governor of the state, said his administration  had delivered on the four cardinal programmes of  the late sage.

    He identified these as free education, free healthcare for children,  pregnant women and the   old and physically challenged as well as  job creation and rural development.

    Fayemi vowed that the legacies  would be restored back in the state if  the APC emerges victorious in the July 14 governorship election in the state.

    ” If we remember, for the past 11  years,  we have been celebrating Awolowo’s  birthday since 2017

    ” What is most important is that those of us behind who God has given the opportunity to lead  must pay our dues and help our people in Yoruba land.

    “ Awolowo has done a great deal and that is why we are celebrating him since he died in 1987. He is still being celebrated in Ikenne today like we are doing in Ekiti

    ”  A prominent Yoruba leader, Pa Fasanmi,  once told me that Awolowo wished he  had been born in Ekiti because then, his largest followers were from Ekiti and he knew everyone in the state

    ”  If he was alive today, he would have been in APC as his political party. This is because this party was founded on Awo’s political ideals. We are Awolowo’s descendants in Ekiti

    ” We know Awolowo for what we call four cardinal points.

    “From the days of the  Action Group  and Unity Party, these are free education, free healthcare for children, pregnant, old and disabled, job creation and rural development.

    ” If  you remember, all these points were what we ensued  when we were in power in Ekiti, sadly they are no more in the state

    ” In conclusion, don’t let us  lose hope,  all these ideals of Awo, we will ensure we do all we could to return them to Ekiti.

    “I appreciate the ARG for celebrating the late sage,  Awolowo. In truth,  all of us who are of Yoruba race, it is high time we took up our role as leaders. We are the leaders of the black race, ”  he said.

    Also extolling the virtues of the  late Awolowo,  Gov.  Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State  said: ” We are celebrating what Awolowo stood for which is the advancement of the Yoruba and African race. Ours is pureness of heart.

    “Awolowo has played his part, it remains for us to play ours.

    “ We cannot all forget the immense contribution of Awolowo,  especially among the Yoruba race.

    “ Afenifere song was composed by Awolowo. The song says that we the Yoruba are the light of the black race, may God not allow us to draw ourselves backwards.

    ” When Awolowo was incarcerated in those days, Hubert Ogunde counselled us to  have a rethink in his popular song.  Yoruba Ronu.’’

    “Celebrating Awo’s legacy would make us remember the great contributions of our great forbears. I urge all Yorubas to have a rethink and reunite. We must all work together for our progress

    ” We are in the quagmire in this country and God will not come down to help us. He would send someone.

    “Once we have seen the person,  we will know with what he has done and what he would do. You know we are the same, I cannot deceive you, we have brought goodies for you in APC, ”  he said.

    Also speaking, Mr  Ayo Afolabi,  who represented the Chairman of  ARG, Wale Osun, said “every society reveres it forbears. We all talk about Awolowo. His works shall not perish.

    “We are here to celebrate Awolowo,  so we won’t forget his legacies. APC is the party that we the Afenifere have embraced.

    “It is the party that can assist the Yoruba race to the promised land. We enjoin all people to vote for the party in Ekiti.”

    The guest speaker at the occasion, Prof. Williams Fawole, lamented that many politicians seeking political office in the country lack germane ideas to lead.

    In his speech entitled, “Obafemi Awolowo and Transformative Politics: Sustaining The Worthy Legacy,’’  the don  urged politicians to imitate Awolowo by being original.

    “What stands Awolowo out as a unique politician and better leader is his original ideas.

    “Anyone who doesn’t have freshness of ideas cannot be seen as a true leader.

    “Awolowo’s legacies cannot perish,  we urge our politicians today to follow his footsteps so their own contributions could be remembered,’’ he said.

    NAN

     

  • Reps pass vote of no confidence on Fayemi, Bwari

    Reps pass vote of no confidence on Fayemi, Bwari

     

    The House of Representatives has passed a vote of no confidence on the Minister of  Mines and Steel  Kayode  Fayemi and his deputy, Minister of State, Abubakar Bwari for failing its invitation to address the parliament on the state of the nation’s steel sector with particular reference to the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

    Though the non appearance of the two Ministers did not affect the commencemen of the sectoral debate, the House is to constitute an ad hoc committee to investigate the state of Ajaokuta Steel Company that was 98 percent completed since 1993 but has remained stagnated till date.

    The lawmakers said the attitude of the two Ministers has lent credence  to insinuations that there were too many incompetent Ministers in the government of the day.

    The decision of the House followed the adoption of a motion by the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who said the attitude of the two Ministers amounted to lack of courtesy for the parliament despite being informed of the importance of the debate to the Nigerian economy.

    After his opening remarks, Speaker Yakubu Dogara explained why the need for the sectoral debate was meant to prevent the sector and the steel company from imminent total collapse.

    He said that the Ministers could not claim ignorance of the invitation having been written on 16th February, adding that the Ministry’s  Permanent Secretary replied the letter.

    The lawmakers were angered.

    Reacting to the Ministers’ absence, Hassan Ado Doguwa, Chief Whip of the House said the non-appearance of the two Ministers was an affront on the entire people of Nigeria being their elected representatives.

    “This attitude is unfortunate, unacceptable and we cannot tolerate it, no one should undermine the parliament in the name of being a Minister”, he said.

    Minority Whip, Yakubu Barde said the attitude of the two Ministers has shown that being members of the party in government, the two have no respect for their leaders.

    While he said his reaction was non partisan, he urged his colleagues to apply the law on the two.

    Umar Bago (APC, Niger) said the unnecessary romance of the House with the Executive arm of governmwnt has ended with the attitude of the Ministers.

    “Its time to draw the line, because they have over crossed the line,” he added.

    Aminu Shagari (APC, Sokoto) said the event of the day was the constatnt frustration of Committees of the House go through in the hands of Chief Executive Officers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government,

    Uzoma Nkem-Abonta(PDP, Abia) said the attitude of the Ministers was not only painful but worrisome, describing  the absence as executive rascality, “I don’t think they know the effect of this affront on the Legislature  because of the effect this is likely to generate.

    “There must be a sanction, they are just ignorant because they ought to know the provisions of the constitution to know the implications of their actions.

    “This confirms the insinuations that we have too many incompetent Ministers. I suggest that they be made to appear immediately,” he said.

    Zakari Mohammed (APC, Kwara) said it was the obligation of the parliament to check the excesses of the legislature, “They must tender an apology and be summoned to appear before us and be arrested if they refused again” he said.

    The Speaker said the House has all the tools to make the Ministers appear before the House at plenary after which he put to the motion to vote and was unanimously adopted.

     

  • Leave Fayemi alone, group tells Ekiti aspirants

    Leave Fayemi alone, group tells Ekiti aspirants

    A political pressure group canvassing support for the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, JKF movement,  has warned the governorship aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop their campaigns of hate against the ex-governor.

    The group’s warning is in reaction to recent comments by some aspirants and their supporters against Fayemi’s aspiration to contest the July 14, 2018 governorship election.

    The group reacting to the tirades of an APC aspirant, Dr.  Wole Oluyede and Mr.  Segun Dipe, a media aide to another aspirant, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, who both warned Fayemi against running in the 2014 governorship election.

    Fayemi was yet to publicly declare intent to run but speculations were rife that he was interested in taking another shot at the governorship race

    JKF Movement’s Director of Publicity, Kunle Omotayo, in a statement on Wednesday urged the aspirants and their supporters to concentrate on their aspirations to lead the state.

    Omotayo said instead of dissipating  energies on whether Fayemi should contest or not, aspirants should sell their programmes to the people and let others present themselves to the public to make a choice.

    Read Also: Ekiti 2018: Oni’s, Fayemi’s ambition will divide APC, says Oluyede

    He said: “Programme appeal and public acceptance, and not attacks on Fayemi, will win for them and we use this medium to warn these individuals against acts that are anti-democratic and capable of threatening the party’s unity, including undermining the integrity of APC’s constitution and supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Fayemi has constitutional right to contest and so we wonder why some aspirants pre-occupy themselves working day and night to shut Fayemi out of the race as if Fayemi, who they all surmised cannot win election, is the albatross or worst nightmare to their ambitions.

    “We particularly take exception to Dr Oluyede’s ceaseless attacks on Fayemi in the media in spite of the party’s warning to him to stop the act that can threaten the unity of the party.

    “It is particularly baffling that after the party served Oluyede a warning on his attacks on other aspirants, his supporters through a press statement linked to his supporter, one Oyelere Ogunrogba, lapsed into a reckless blackmail binge, using Governor Ayodele Fayose’s vindictive, persecutorial, worthless and unconstitutional White Paper to canvass a reason why Fayemi should not run.”

    Noting that APC was founded on constitutionally for the protection of the rights of members, he said the group was baffled that those who knew little or nothing about the establishment of the party were the ones threatening its disintegration if members exercised their legitimate right to contest election under the party.

    “We wonder why Fayemi’s aspiration is a nightmare to these aspirants. Dr Oluyede that is threatening that APC will collapse if Fayemi and Segun Oni are allowed to contest the election knew nothing about the pains that both Fayemi and Oni went through at the birth of the party.

    “Instead of a reckless display of intolerance and this running down syndrome, we expect a level-headed display of democratic conduct among the contestants, which allows members to enjoy same privileges that political parties offer members in electoral contests.

    “We hereby serve notice that this group will no longer accept any unwarranted attacks on our leader over his legitimate and constitutional right to contest election in the party he laboured to build.

    “Those who want a party that will not allow other members to contest election with them can as well establish their own political parties where they can be sole candidates or be independent candidates that belong to no party if they cannot conduct themselves in competitive democratic norm allowed by political party system,”  Omotayo concluded.