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Tag: ekiti

  • Ekiti 2018: Ekiti will reject APC- PDP tells Buhari

    Professor Kolapo Olusola ,Deputy Governor of Ekiti State and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration that the All Progressives Congress (APC) must win the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State, as “wishful thinking”.

    Kolapo noted that :“Ekiti people will never allow their State to be added to the comity of States already infected with the plague of mis-governance by the President and his party.”

     

     

    The current Deputy Governor of Ekiti State said it was awful that a President, who should be apologizing to Ekiti people and the entire Nigerians for plunging the country into economic and security crises was the one talking about returning Ekiti into the fold of progressive states.

    According to a statement issued on Thursday, the director media and publicity Kola Olusola Campaign Organisation (KOCO), Lere Olayinka said President Muhammadu Buhari should perish the thought of his anointed candidate, Kayode Fayemi winning the election.

    In his words: “President Muhammadu Buhari should perish the thought of his anointed candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, wining the July 14 election and face the reality of his failed Presidency with a view to making amends before he is sent back to Daura next year.”

     

    Olayinka urged President Buhari to tell Nigerians what he has done for the State in the last three and half years.

    “Even in Isan Ekiti, Fayemi’s hometown, nothing has happened to the Clay Kaolin that is there in large quantity despite that their son is in charge of solid minerals.

    “Funny that the President said Ekiti must return to the fold of progressive states. Is he talking about the same so-called progressives States that are sacking workers in their thousands? Or the APC States where herdsmen are killing people in gruesome manner on daily basis is what he wants Ekiti State to join?

     

    “Truly, Ekiti people are well known for their forthrightness, candour and integrity. They will never subject themselves to the whim and caprices of a President who looked the other way when thousands of people were being killed by herdsmen in Benue, Taraba, Plateau and other States.

     

    “Having returned to the number one position in education, Ekiti will never go back to that era that it was in 34th position. Teachers will never use their votes to return the State to that perilous time when their jobs were constantly threatened with Competency Test and Principals demoted and sent to classrooms as mere classroom teachers.

     

    “Local Government workers in Ekiti State will not allow a return of Fayemi’s ‘Boko Haram’ that made their lives impossible for over three years.

     

    “Most importantly, Ekiti will never return to that inglorious era of APC government of Fayemi when over N500 million was used to plant flowers that have remained invisible up till today and over N60 billion loan taken with nothing to show.

     

    “Finally, with Governor Ayodele Fayose and the PDP, it is evidently clear that Ekiti is already moving steadily to its promised land, with unprecedented infrastructural development and will never return to the land of despair, bloodshed, hunger and hopelessness that President Buhari and his APC represent”, he said.

     

     

     

  • Ekiti 2018: Fayose’s election in 2014 characterised by ‘hanky panky’ – Buhari

    Ekiti 2018: Fayose’s election in 2014 characterised by ‘hanky panky’ – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday described the 2014 governorship election that produced incumbent governor, Ayodele Fayose has been characterised by “hanky-panky.”

    The president however called on the leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress to do everything possible to ensure that they did not allow any subversion of the will of the people again.

    Buhari said this while hosting the members of the APC South-West caucus to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    All aspirants that contested the party ticket in Ekiti State with the winner, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, were also present at the dinner.

    Buhari said it was not in his character to interfere in the internal workings of the APC because it was the responsibility of the party to conduct primaries for elective positions.

    He said now that the party had completed that assignment and a candidate had emerged, the job of party leaders was to build a united front that could propel the party to victory in the election that he described as all important.

    Buhari said, “This is crucial because I remember the hanky-panky that attended the last gubernatorial election in Ekiti State in 2014. I recall the firsthand account I received from some of the dramatis personae in that unfortunate saga.

    “We must do everything to ensure that we do not allow any subversion of the will of the people this time round.

    “Now that the primary is over and we have a candidate, all hands must be on deck to achieve a positive result.”

    Buhari expressed delight that Fayemi had started reaching out to his co-contestants with a view to working together.

    He appealed to all the aspirants to see the election as a collective mission to rescue Ekiti and promote development, adding that it was important for the APC to win the July 14 election because it would serve as a pointer to subsequent elections in the country.

    The President said forthrightness, candour and integrity that hitherto characterised the people of the state appeared to have been lost in the state currently being governed by the Peoples Democratic Party.

    He said it was time for the APC to restore those lost values and return the state to the comity of states.

    Buhari added, “I know Ekiti fairly well and Ekiti people are well known for their forthrightness, candour and integrity. All of these values seem to have been lost and we must restore these values and return Ekiti to its pride of place in the comity of states.

    “As we approach the 2019 elections, the return of Ekiti into the fold of progressive states is important as the election of July 2014 is going to be a key pointer to subsequent elections.

    “On my part, let me reassure you that you can count on my support. But charity must begin at home. I urge Ekiti leaders and the leaders from the South-West to take this assignment seriously so that the APC can laugh last in the July election. It is only then that we will all be beneficiaries of victory.

    “Let us return to the field to work hard and deliver victory to our great party.”

    A former interim national chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, told State House correspondents at the end of the meeting that all party chiefs in the South-West would work for Fayemi’s success.

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, were present at the dinner.

    Governors at the meeting included Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and the Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, who was the chairman of the APC Ekiti Gubernatorial Primary Committee.

    Some members of the National Assembly, ministers and stakeholders from the zone also attended the dinner.

  • War Against Fayose: Buhari begs Tinubu, other S/West leaders to reclaim Ekiti

    Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose is in for a serious battle as President Muhammadu Buhari tasked South West caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to carry out every legitimate step to win back Ekiti state from.

    He gave the charge during a dinner meeting with the party’s leadership in the southwest at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Recall that Fayose who is at loggerheads with Buhari is positioning is Deputy, Kayode Olusola-Eleka to succeed him in office as governor of the state.

    Among those at the dinner where Buhari made the proclamation were Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, National Leader of the party Bola Tinubu and National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

    Immediate past governor of the state Kayode Fayemi, who is currently the minister for Mines and Steel Resources, on Saturday emerged as candidate of the APC for the July 14 governorship election in the state.

    And Buhari believes Fayemi has what it takes to restore what he believes are the lost values of the state.

    “I know Ekiti fairly well and Ekiti people are well known for their forthrightness, candour and integrity,” he said.

    “All of these values seem to have been lost and we must restore these values and return Ekiti to its pride of place in the comity of states.

    “As we approach the 2019 elections, the return of Ekiti into the fold of progressive states is important as the election of July 14 is going to be a key pointer to subsequent elections,’’ he said.

    The President reechoed his policy of not interfering in the internal affairs of the party at any level, commending Fayemi for reaching out to his co-contestants after Saturday’s primary election.

  • Buhari rallies support for Fayemi, urges party to rescue Ekiti from Fayose

    President Muhammadu Buhari last night urged the Southwest caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to take the mission to rescue Ekiti from the opposition Peoples Democratic Partry (PDP) seriously.

    The President spoke during a dinner with them at the State House in Abuja.

    He urged party members to work together and assured the people of his support.

    He told the group that as he promised, he would not interfere in the internal affairs of the party at any level.

    Former APC Interim Chairman Chief Bisi Akande said: “We are politicians. We have election in Ekiti on July 14th and we came to get some inspiration, presidential inspiration.

    “Ekiti belongs to APC and the progressives from the beginning. But, unfortunately, it slipped in 2014 because there was some mishandling. So this time, we are all going to queue behind our party so that we can win the state back come July 14.”

    To the Ekiti people, he said: “We will only tell them to avoid belonging to an unpopular party, a party that will not allow Ekiti to develop. And they should belong to the APC.”

    The meeting, which started around 8.30p.m at the new Banquet Hall, was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, Chief Akande and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The party’s governorship candidate Dr. Kayode Fayemi and the runner-up in the primary, Chief Segun Oni, also attended the meeting.

    Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura, who conducted the primary, also attended.

    There were also some federal lawmakers, ministers and stakeholders.

     

  • Fayemi will win Ekiti governorship election with his ‘track records’ – Buhari

    Fayemi will win Ekiti governorship election with his ‘track records’ – Buhari

    …as minister resigns this week

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday said the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi possess credible credentials to win and rule Ekiti State.

    Buhari said this while congratulating the former governor for winning the All Progressives Congress ticket to contest the July 14, 2018 governorship election.

    The President’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

    Buhari also urged those who contested against Fayemi for the ticket to keep upholding the values and philosophy of the party by supporting the APC candidate in the forthcoming election.

    The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates former governor of Ekiti State and Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi, for winning the APC ticket to contest the July 14, 2018 governorship elections.

    “President Buhari commends all the participants in the keenly contested primary, who passionately worked hard to serve the state as governor, urging them to keep upholding the values and philosophy of the party by supporting the APC candidate in the forthcoming elections.

    “President Buhari believes that 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.

    “The President notes that the successful primary in the state, with more than 30 aspirants, further validates the credentials of the APC on internal democracy, and its preparedness to take the country to another level of development.”

    Meanwhile, it was learnt on Sunday that Fayemi will this week resign his position as the Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development.

    Recall that the minister had on Saturday night emerged as the APC candidate for the election in a keenly contested primary.

    He secured 941 votes as against 481 votes polled by his strongest contender, Segun Oni, who is also a former governor of the state.

    Fayemi was in April granted a one-month leave of absence by President Buhari to enable him to take part in the primary.

    However, having won the primary, sources close to Fayemi said the minister would not return to his office as a substantive minister.

    Fayemi, it was learnt, was not ready to delay his campaign in order not to jeopardise his chances during the election.

    The source said the late open declaration of the former governor for the race nearly cost him the ticket as many of his initial supporters had declared their loyalty to other aspirants.

    The source said, “Fayemi will be in Abuja either on Monday or early Tuesday to submit his letter of resignation to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Though he could still remain in office till June, at least a month before the election, he needs to be on the ground in Ekiti earlier than that.

    “Remember that his late declaration for the position worked against him during the primary as many of his supporters had already started working for other aspirants.

    “Because they had declared their loyalty to these aspirants, it was very difficult for the minister to ask them to return.

    “But this time around and having emerged as the party’s candidate, we want all of them to return and that can only be achieved when Fayemi returns home fully to take charge.”

  • UPDATED: Fayemi wins Ekiti APC governorship primary

    Jubilation in the camp of Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi as he emerges the overall winner at the All Progressives Congress governorship primary election held in Ado Ekiti on Saturday.

    Although an official announcement is yet to be made, Fayemi is now the automatic governorship candidate of the APC come the July 14 governorship election in the state.

    Out of a total of 2.326 delegates who voted at the primary poll. Fayemi scored 941 votes to beat other in the race.

    How the delegate voted :

    The final results of Ekiti APC primary

    Kayode Fayemi 941

    Segun Oni 454

    Kayode Ojo 245

    BAFEM 171

    Oluyede OluWole 110

    Gbenga Aluko 83

    Fappy 23

    Daramola Bimbo 29

    Babafemi Ojudu 11

    MOB. 11

    Yaya Kolade 4

    Ayo Arise 3

    Muyiwa Olumilua. 2

    Recall that The APC primary in Ekiti state was disrupted last Saturday and rescheduled APC for today.

    After the withdrawal of one of the leading aspirant, About 32 aspirants contested the primary in Oluyemi Kayode stadium in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. Tanko Al-Makura, governor of Nasarawa state, is the chairman of the electoral committee.

    At the end of today, Dr. Kayode Fayemi will be announced as the flag bearer of All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State.

  • Ekiti 2018: Fayemi expresses satisfaction with conduct of APC primary

    The Minister of Mines and Steel Development and aspirant in Saturday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise.

    Fayemi, a former governor of the state, told newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, shortly after polling that the process was commendable.

    “I can see that delegates from all the local government areas cast their votes and there was no fraudulent act or riot; everything was going on smoothly.

    “But, I will give a comprehensive reaction at the end of the election and whoever emerges as the flag-bearer will be given maximum support from other aspirants.

    “As at this moment, I can say that voting has been credible,” he said.

    Thirty-three aspirants were cleared by the party for the primary election, but one of them, Mr Babafemi Ojudu, withdrew on Wednesday, leaving 32 aspirants in the race.

    Voting by delegates from the 16 local government areas in the state ended at about 4.15 p.m., and the Chairman of the Primary Election Commission, Gov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa, commended the voters for impressive turnout and conduct.

    He told newsmen that he was delighted with the peace that pervaded voting and expressed optimism that entire exercise would be successful.

    Speaking in an interview shortly after the voting exercise, the Chairman of the electoral committee, and Governor of Nasarawa, Alhaji Umar Al-Makura, described the exercise as peaceful and successful.

    “We did everything in compliance and conformity with the party’s guidelines; now that the voting is completed, we are going into sorting and this will be very transparent.

    “Having experienced the first task last week, I met with all the aspirants on Friday and they all assured that the exercise will be peaceful, that they are not ready to take anything for granted.

    “You could see the commitment and passion in the aspirants; they all lived to their promise and that is the result of the peace we recorded today,” he said.

  • JUST IN: Police arrest thugs, fake delegates at venue of Ekiti APC primary [Photos]

    JUST IN: Police arrest thugs, fake delegates at venue of Ekiti APC primary [Photos]

    Some hoodlums were arrested at the gate of the venue of the ongoing Ekiti APC primary rerun for attempting to force themselves into the venue and for aggressively confronting policemen who manned the gates.

    One of the suspected hoodlums, who accused the policemen of bias after he was denied access into the venue because he did not have the necessary requirements, had on him charm wrapped in a red piece of cloth.

    Police arrest thugs, fake delegates at venue of Ekiti APC primary [Photo]
    Some of the thugs and fake delegates rounded up by the police at the ongoing APC governorship primary in Ekiti State on Saturday

    A team of suspected hoodlums comprising of four men were also arrested and handed over to Criminal Investigation Department present at the venue.

    The men claimed to be delegates from various wards but they did not possess any of the documents required to ease their entry to the main venue from the gate. The sum of N158,000 was found on them.

    Earlier, two men were separately arrested for also attempting to gain entrance into the venue by force.

    More details soon…

  • Tension in Ekiti as APC conducts rescheduled governorship primary today

    …as Al-Makura committee assures of maximum security

    Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on Friday gave assurance of maximum security to stakeholders within the venue of the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election, scheduled for Saturday (today).

    The governor, who is the chairman of the primary election electoral committee, raised by the national secretariat of the party, promised that the exercise would be free, fair and credible.

    He gave the assurance while addressing a news conference at Damlek Event Centre, Ado-Ekiti, the proposed venue of the primary.

    He‎ explained that the accreditation would begin at 8a.m. and those to be accredited would be aspirants, delegates, journalists, observers and other critical stakeholders.

    The briefing was attended by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Bello Ahmed; Director of Department of State Services, (DSS), Mrs Promise Iheanacho; Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    Apart from the security arrangement, Al-Makura explained that facilities needed for the conveniences of participants had been provided.

    He added that dedicated tents had been made available for delegates on the basis of the three senatorial districts: Ekiti South, Ekiti North and Ekiti Central.

    He said, “Any delegate accredited won’t be allowed to go out for any reason.

    “Any delegate that enters the arena must be identified by his party membership card, and extra statutory identity like international passport, driver’s licence and national ID card.

    “Such delegates must be identified with the list given to us by the National Secretariat. All accreditation must be completed for delegates from all the senatorial zones before voting starts.

    “Voting will be done once at a time and it will start with delegates from Ekiti South, then to Ekiti North and Ekiti Central.

    “After identification, delegates will be given ballot paper and they will submit their delegates tag for punching and the will also submit the ropes of their tags.

    “Cubicles for voting area are ready for delegates and delegates will go in and cast their votes. One outlet will be dedicated for voters and no voter will be allowed back into the hall once he votes.

    “At the end of the voting, there will be sorting to be followed by counting.”

    He also noted that the panel would not allow any aspirant or delegate that wears branded materials to the venue of the primary.

    He warned that some agents barred for their involvement in the fracas that broke out in the botched primary would be arrested if found in the vicinity of the primary.

    He sought for the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure a successful primary, and enable the committee come up with a result that would be acceptable to all.

  • Ekiti 2018: Fayose picks Deji Ogunsakin as Eleka’s running mate

    Ekiti 2018: Fayose picks Deji Ogunsakin as Eleka’s running mate

    Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State on Friday afternoon picked the former Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government, Ayodeji Kazeem Ogunsakin as the running mate to the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka.

    Fayose announced this at Ado-Ekiti. The candidature of Ogunsakin is expected to strengthen the party’s fortune at the governorship election coming up in July 2018.

    Ogunsakin 39, was born to the popular Bello Ogunsakin family of Ado-Ekiti. His late father, Alhaji B.S Ogunsakin was a Muslim leader, Businessman, and Commercial Farmer, and highly respected community leader.

    Deji Ogunsakin attended Ekiti Baptist High School, Igede -Ekiti, University of Ado-Ekiti (now EKSU) and worked as a banker before he joined politics. Ado-Ekiti indigenes adjudged him as one of the best preforming Chairman in the history of Ado-Ekiti Local Government.