TheNewsGuru

Tag: ekiti

  • Delay in Ekiti workers’ salaries not caused by arrest of Fayose’s commissioners – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has said the arrest of the Commissioner of Finance, Toyin Ojo and Accountant General, Mrs. Yemisi Owolabi, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was not the cause of the delay in the payment of workers’ salaries.

    The party described the claim by the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Odunayo Adesoye, as “another conspiratorial role that some labour leaders have been playing to sabotage the interest of their members”.

    In a statement yesterday, Ekiti State APC’s Publicity Secretary Taiwo Olatunbosun expressed regrets that Labour had failed to protect the interests of workers but was ready to defend Governor Ayo Fayose’s alleged failure to pay their entitlements.

    Olatunbosun said: “It is common knowledge that a section of the Labour movement has compromised their office in the protection of workers’ interest. But Fayose should not hide under the arrest of the Commissioner for Finance, Toyin Ojo and the Accountant General, Yemisi Owolabi, for non-payment of salary.

    “Ojo is not a signatory to any salary account; there are two other alternate signatories who include the Director of Funds Management.

    “Ekiti people and workers in particular should also note that when the Accountant General was on leave for about three weeks recently, the financial transactions of the state were going on unhindered.

    “Therefore, contrary to TUC’s claim, there is no reason the arrest of the two state officials should be an excuse for non-payment of salaries by the governor, which of course, he has not been paying before their arrest.

    “Fayose has received several billions of naira in the form of bailout and Paris Club refund but has refused to pay workers’ salaries for five months: local government workers for eight months’ and pensioners’ 13 months’ allowance arrears. These include his refusal to pay the severance package of former political office holders after the funds for these purposes were captured in tranches of bailout and Paris Club refund.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the commissioners were recently arrested by operatives of the EFCC over their alleged diversion of the bailout and Paris Club refunds.

     

  • 2018: INEC fixes dates for Ekiti, Osun gov elections

    2018: INEC fixes dates for Ekiti, Osun gov elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the dates for the governorship election in Ekiti and Osun states.

    The electoral umpire said Ekiti State Governorship election will hold on July 14, 2018, while Osun State Governorship election will hold September 22, 2018, INEC disclosed on Thursday.

    INEC national commissioner, Solomon Soyebi, who disclosed the dates, said commencement date of campaigns for Ekiti Governorship election is April 15, 2018.

    Campaigns for Osun election is scheduled to start on June 24, 2018.

  • Arrest of top government officials by EFCC is executive lawlessness – Ekiti Govt

    The Ekiti State Government has said the arrest of its Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Toyin Ojo and Accountant General, Yemisi Owolabi by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is unconstitutional and a show of executive lawlessness.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the two state officials were arrested last Thursday for alleged misappropriation of state resources.

    Addressing reporters on Monday in Abuja, the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in the state, Mr. Kolapo Kolade said the action of the EFCC breached a subsisting order issued against the commission by a Federal High Court in 2016.

    According to him, the court barred the commission from arresting, detaining or investigating any state official or officials – whether past or present – without any report of indictment by the House of Assembly.

    Kolade said the government had approached the court to challenge the serial arrests of its officials by the EFCC on issues outside the purview of the anti-graft agency.

    The commissioner said the court order was duly served on EFCC on November 27, 2016, adding that it had not been vacated by the court or any other superior court.

    He said: “Following the Interim Order, the EFCC wrote a petition to the chief judge of the Federal High Court for the transfer of the case to another Federal High Court judge. The case was subsequently transferred to the Akure Judicial Division of the Federal High Court.

    “The Akure Judicial Division of the Federal High Court sat over the case on January 24 and restated the earlier order by the Ado Ekiti Judicial Division of the Federal High Court.

    “The case was adjourned till February 15 for hearing. But the judge referred the matter back to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to have a second look at transferring the case to the Akure Judicial Division of the Federal High Court.

    “The order of the Federal High Court has not been vacated till date. In other words, the issue of the arrest and or detention of the Ekiti State government officials is still subjudice.

    “The EFCC is not above the law and the agency is bound to obey lawful orders made by courts, as in this case.

    “The actions of the EFCC are, to say the least, unlawful and show executive lawlessness.”

     

  • Like I did in Ekiti, I’ll wrestle, win presidency from Buhari in 2019 – Fayose

    …writes party for ticket

    …to declare Presidential ambition on Thursday

    Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has again reiterated his determination to wrestle and win power from President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

    The governor noted that it was typical of him to wrestle power from an incumbent. He said he had demonstrated this by beating two sitting governors in Ekiti State.

     

    He noted further that with the support of his party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, he will sure become Nigeria’s next president in 2019.

    “I’m going straight to that Villa. I’m the next president,” he said in a statement issued on Tuesday by his special assistant on public communications and new media, Mr Lere Olayinka.

    “I have a penchant for taking powers; that one in President Muhammadu Buhari’s hand, I will take it.”

    Fayose further revealed plans to formally declare his intention to run for the presidency in the general elections on Thursday in Abuja.

    The governor, via his twitter handle @GovAyoFayose displayed a copy of his letter to the PDP, seeking the party’s support in 2019.

    He, however, said his ambition to be president was without prejudice to the party’s position, but in the overall interest of the party and the country.

    The letter read; “It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I write to inform you of my intention to seek the ticket/mandate of our party to contest the 2019 presidential election.

    “Considering your support and commitment towards our great party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it becomes imperative to keep you informed and seek your support.

    “This ambition, however, is without prejudice to our party’s position but in the overall interest of the party and our country.

    “I urge that all hands should be on deck to ensure victory at the 2019 presidential election.

    “Accept the assurances of my highest regards as a determined presidential hopeful.”

     

  • Panic as Ekiti Fed Varsity’s bursar slumps, dies at meeting

    Grief has enveloped the Federal University at Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), with the death of its bursar, Mr. Adebayo Adejuyigbe, during the governing council’s meeting in Lagos, last Thursday.

    Adejuyigbe, 59, was said to have slumped. Though later revived, he died at an undisclosed hospital.

    The meeting was called by FUOYE Governing Council’s Chairman, Prof. Saadat Mabadeje.

    The deceased was reportedly buried according to Islamic injunction on Friday at Offa in Kwara State.

    A source, who witnessed the incident, said: “He was in the meeting when suddenly he started shaking and slumped. He was revived and was rushed to the hospital where he died.

    “His health situation deteriorated on the way to the hospital and he died after he got to the hospital.”

    FUOYE’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Kayode Soremekun described Adejuyigbe’s death as a big loss to the institution.

    The vice chancellor said his prudence and administrative acumen would be missed.

    Soremekun, who confirmed Adejuyigbe’s death, said it was devastating.

    He said the late bursar’s expertise and commitment to duty would be missed.

    Soremekun, who spoke through the university’s spokesman, Mr Godfrey Bakji, said: “He (Adejuyigbe) has been buried in his country home and we pray that Allah grants the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

    “Mr Adejuyigbe was a prudent and highly professional man. His advice to the management had helped in so many ways and times. He was a reservoir of knowledge on fiscal issues. He was a good and dependable administrator.

    “The university community commiserates with his family, the people of Kwara State and the Federal Government on the loss of this illustrious son and great Nigerian.”

     

  • Sallah: Fayose turns ‘Sheik’ joins Muslims for Eid prayer

    Sallah: Fayose turns ‘Sheik’ joins Muslims for Eid prayer

    The Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has joined other Muslim faithfuls worldwide to celebrate the Sallah.

    Photos below show him offering prayers to God during the 2017 Sallah celebration at the Muslim community Praying Ground, Odo-Ado, Ado-Ekiti on 1st September, 2017.

  • ‘I can’t abandon my people in Ekiti for impromptu meeting with Buhari’ – Fayose blasts critics

    Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has said there was no way he could have abandoned activities that had been lined up for him in the state to attend an ‘improptu meeting’ convened by President Buhari on Friday.

    The governor cleared the air on Friday when he was attacked of deliberately missing out on the meeting called by the president.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that due to Fayose’s constant criticisms of Buhari’s policies especially while he (Buhari) was receiving treatments in London, he (Fayose) was rumoured to have intentionally avoid meeting with the president.

    However, Fayose replied his critics saying he was unable to attend the meeting because it clashed with his chieftaincy installation and other activities in the interest of the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Governor Fayose along with his Gombe counterpart, Ibrahim Dankwambo were honoured with the chieftaincy titles of Apesin Apogun Pote and Akinmuagun respectively by Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe on Friday while other governors were meeting with President Buhari at the Aso Villa

    “For those insinuating that I shunned the President’s meeting with governors, I didn’t. I had my installation as Apesin of Ado Ekiti slated for today,” the Governor wrote on Twitter on Friday.

    He added that “guests were already in Ekiti since yesterday for the chieftaincy title installation before I received notice of the meeting with the President.”

    Buhari at the meeting said the governors have been “doing their best”.

    The President, who had earlier met with leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, said, “I have just addressed members of APC and PDP senior officials that came to welcome me back.

    “I thank you very much for the national approach in your leadership, those who are leaders at political level and those who are chief executives in their respective states”.

     

     

     

  • Photos: Fayose, Dankwambo, others get chieftaincy titles in Ekiti

    The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, on Friday, conferred a chieftaincy title, Apesin Apogun Pote, on Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State.

    The monarch also honoured Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, his wife, Hajia Ummi Adama and a member representing Remo Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Ladipo Adebutu.

     

    Dankwambo was bestowed with the title, Akinmuagun, his wife, Yeye Akinmuagun while Adebutu became Ajirosola.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Fayose and Dankwambo had on Thursday commissioned the new hall built within the Ewi’s palace by the State Government to honour Oba Adejugbe and Ado Ekiti people.

     

    The ceremony was attended by traditional rulers from both Ekiti and Gombe States and important dignitaries, including former Benue State Governor, Mr Gabriel Suswam, a PDP chieftain, Chief Bode George, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Wole Olanipekun, and a former Minister of Health, Mr Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, among others.

     

    The governor at the event boasted that his successor will trounce the All Progressives Congress in the 2018 governorship poll because he is a grassroots politician, who commanded enormous goodwill among the populace in the state.

    He assured the royal fathers that he won’t give Ekiti a governor that would disrespect them or treat them scornfully.

     

    According to him, the royal fathers occupy sacred positions that must be honoured and respected at all times.

    “The governor that will come here to perform and respect all the monarchs in Ekiti will be presented by the PDP for 2018 poll. We know what you stand for and what you represent. You are so important to us and we will treat you with respect.

     

    “We won’t give you a governor that will disrespect you or that won’t be able to perform or that will reverse all we have done for you. Ado Ekiti deserves respect and the governor that will come after me will surely appreciate this and do what is expected for this town,” Fayose said.

     

  • Tragedy as robbers attack banks, monarch’s palace in Ekiti, kill manager, 3 others

    …I thought Boko Haram had invaded my town – Oore of Otun, Oba Adedapo Oladele Popoola

    There was pandemonium on Thursday evening at in Otun Ekiti, the headquarters of Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State, when dare devil armed robbers numbering more than 30 attacked two commercial banks and killed four people.

    A bank manager, a cashier, a bank security officer who was planning to wed in a week’s time and a palace night guard were among the victims of the robbery incident that took place around 6.00 pm.

    Sources revealed that the deceased security guard whose fiancé is heavily pregnant had barely resumed for duty when the robbers struck.

    The blood thirsty bandits also attacked the palace of the community’s monarch and a petrol station.

    They were said to have divided themselves into four subgangs to ensure that the attack was successful.

    The bandits reportedly made away with huge amount of money from the banks and the petrol station.

    Many residents of the community who received gunshot wounds are receiving treatment in hospitals. Speaking, the Oore of Otun who is also the paramount ruler of Moba land, Oba Adedapo Oladele Popoola said he thought Boko Haram militants had invaded the town when he heard loud bangs of explosives used by the robbers during the attack which lasted for about an hour.

    The monarch said: ” I was relaxing with my chiefs in front of the palace when we heard what first sounded like some fireworks but we dismissed it as some of the children’s antics as a result of the festive period. But later we heard heavier and more deafening noise that sounded like gunshots and explosives. That was when we realized it was no child’s play. Gunshots and explosives were all over the place and heard from all corners. I couldn’t situate the incident as we ruminated whether it was robbery, Boko Haram’s attack or some kind of war happening.

    “We later learnt that the robbers stationed their men at the four entrances of the town. The first place they were stationed was the roundabout at Erinmope Road, the second was outside Moba Local Government Secretariat, the third was in front of my palace and the fourth was in front of the Technical College outside the town on the way leading to Kwara State.” The monarch added: “The sporadic gunshots and explosives lasted for about an hour before the dust settled. And by that time four innocent people were lying dead.

    The manager and a cashier of a new generation bank, a security man at the second new generation bank and my night guard who had just resumed for night duty and wanted to close the gate were the victims. ” I reported the case to the governor and he immediately called me. The governor quickly mobilized security operatives who promptly acted on his instruction and came around past 7pm but the robbers had long left.”

    The state’s police command’s spokesman, Alberto Adeyemi confirmed the incident. He disclosed that investigation into the robbery had commenced, adding that the remains of the victims have been deposited at the General Hospital in Usi Ekiti.

  • Ekiti, Osun 2018: Don’t underrate Fayose, Osoba tells APC

    A former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, has warned the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and members of the party not to underestimate the clouts of Governor Ayodele Fayose in the coming gubernatorial election in both Ekiti and Osun States.

    Osoba noted that the results of the Ekiti and Osun elections in 2018 will determine the outcome of the elections in Ogun and Oyo states in 2019.

    He also warned the party not to underestimate the threat of the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who had vowed that the Peoples Democratic Party would trounce the APC in the governorship election holding next year.

    He advised them to work in unison to win the elections, even as he declared that the Ogun State chapter of the party had not zoned the governorship slot in 2019 to any senatorial district.

    The APC party leader spoke on Wednesday while addressing party leaders and supporters in his Ibara Government Reservation Area, Abeokuta residence.

    He said no single individual within the party, no matter had highly placed, could determine where the next governor of the state would come from.

    The former governor noted that the APC needed to embrace internal democracy and shun all manner of imposition to strengthen its chances in the coming elections.

    Osoba said some ex-governors that installed ‘anointed candidates’ became sworn enemies with them months after.

    He stressed that Ogun East Senatorial District was equally eligible to contest the governorship seat just as the Yewa-Awori people of Ogun West.

    “Don’t let us underestimate Fayose. You must fight him. We cannot afford to play with Osun either. Those two states are important. If we can do clear primaries in these two states and APC wins, then whatever happen in Ekiti and Osun must happen in Oyo and Ogun when it gets to our turn to deliver.

    “As a party, we have not zoned the governorship seat. There was nothing like zoning of offices in the past. We give opportunity to anyone to aspire, but we have always used maturity to settle it among us. That is unwritten, it is a convention. It is not the rule and nobody will go against the agreement.

    “Now, so many things have divided us. The Ijebu now come together to be claiming the Ijebu agenda. We must leave the field open. We must examine the Yewa and Ijebu agenda,” he said.

    Osoba called for cohesion and unity, warning that it would be counterproductive for anyone to set up structure outside the party.