Ayodele Fayose, the immediate past Ekiti state governor has arrived the Abuja office of the Economic and Finial crime commission, in company of Rivers state governor, Nyesome Wike.
Some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, including Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Deji Adeyanju, also accompanied the outspoken former governor to the anti-corruption agency’s office.
The anti-graft agency is probing Mr Fayose over an allegation of 1.5 billion naira fraud while in office.
Speaking with newsmen on his arrival at the EFCC office, Fayose who wore a shirt with the inscription ‘EFCC I’m here’ said his decision was in line with his promise to make himself available to the agency.
“As I have promised, I have fulfilled my words that come 16th of October I will be at the EFCC office, my decision to come here is in line with my words.” He noted.
Meanwhile, Fani-Kayode warned the Muhammadu Buhari-led government, EFCC to be careful in the manner at which they handle the Fayose case.
His words, “His excellency is going in hale and hearty, and we trust God that he will come out healthy, the government should know that the international community is watching.”
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Tag: Fayose
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BREAKING: Fayose arrives EFCC office in company of Wike, FFK [Video]
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I’m going to EFCC with my bedclothes, pillowcase, Bible – Fayose
The outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has said that he was going to the office of the Economic and Financial Crime, EFCC, today with his bedclothes, pillowcase, English and Yoruba bibles.
Fayose’s tenure expired midnight on Monday.
The Governor’s immunity ends along with his tenure and he has been invited to the headquarters of the EFCC.
Fayose will be answering to allegations that he received about N1.3bn from the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA through the then Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.
Fayose told reporters in Abuja “I will be there on Tuesday. I am not begging for any bail. It is up to them. If they want me, they should just give me a bed
“I have done by bed bedclothes, I have done my pillowcase, I have my English and Yoruba bibles.
“I am prepared for them. Nobody should worry about me. Only cowards die many times before their deaths.” -
I'll be at your office by 1pm today, Fayose tells EFCC
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose is expected to report at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today to respond to allegations against him.
Fayose’s tenure expires today as his successor Kayode Fayemi steps in.
The ex-governor told Peoples Democrtic Party (PDP) governors and leaders at a valedictory dinner for him on Monday in Abuja that he would “stay and fight this battle”.
He said: ‘Tell them at the Villa; my name is Ayodele Fayose, Peter the Rock. By the Grace of God, I will be at the EFCC on Monday by 1pm. I am not a coward.
“Let it be said to them that today is their own. Tomorrow is our own. I will not run away, they will rather run away. They took me to Court 13 years ago, I won after eightyears.
“They harassed my family and I got judgment three times against them. This time will not be an exception. Those who wait for me will wait in vain. EFCC is no court”.
The EFCC said it had prepared three teams of investigators to quiz the former governor.
Those at the ceremony were Governors Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Darius Ishaku (Taraba); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); Dave Umahi (Ebonyi); Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); and the National Chairman of the PDP Uche Secondus.
Secondus urged the EFCC to follow the rule of law and the constitution in trying Fayose.
“The world is watching, international communities are also watching what will happen to this gentleman that has performed well in Ekiti.
“So when you invite him and he honours it, he is not a coward. If you tamper with his Human Rights and you detain him the whole world will cry out’’. “Ekiti State is not the same anymore. If you go to Ekiti now you can see the best of the roads, one of the longest bridges, buildings infrastructure and development in all facets
“We are proud of you as PDP governor. We are also proud of other governors of PDP. In fact, for this country, the PDP governors have set the pace for development all over our states.
“I am proud to say that all over our states around the country, you can see great achievements of our government.’’
Secondus added that the party was also proud of the choice of the former Governor of Anambra, Peter Obi as the running mate to the PDP presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The PDP in a statement yesterday by spokesman Kola Ologbodiyan, also alleged plans by the EFCC to detain Fayose indefinitely on the Federal Government’s order. -
Secondus warns Buhari, APC, EFCC against humiliating Fayose
…says PDP governors leading Nigeria’s development index
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the party is proud of its governors and the achievements recorded in their various states.
Secondus made the expression in his remarks at the send-off ceremony organised by the PDP Governors Forum for the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose on Sunday night in Abuja
Secondus said that Fayose and every other PDP governors had performed credibly in transforming their states.
“Ekiti State is not the same anymore. If you go to Ekiti now you can see the best of the roads, one of the longest bridges, buildings infrastructure and development in all facets
“We are proud of you as PDP governor. We are also proud of other governors of PDP. In fact, for this country, the PDP governors have set the pace for development all over our states.
“I am proud to say that all over our states around the country, you can see great achievements of our government.’’
Secondus added that the party was also proud of the choice of the former Governor of Anambra, Peter Obi as the running mate to the PDP presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
“We are also proud of one of our leaders that had been chosen as our presidential candidate’s running mate, every other thing will be discussed.
“I believe that my responsibility as the National Chairman is to ensure that the house is coming together and by the grace of God we will be on one page for the Nigerian project.
The PDP national chairman advised the anti-graft agencies to follow the rules of law and the constitution in trying Fayose after leaving office.
“Let me say here there are threat of intimidation and frame-up waiting for our brother who has performed very well in Ekiti state.
“The world is watching, international communities are also watching what will happen to this gentleman that has performed well in Ekiti.
“So when you invite him and he honours it, he is not a coward. If you tamper with his Human Rights and you detain him the whole world will cry out’’.
He urged Fayose to join the cadre of Nigerian citizens who were advocating peace and security as well as free and fair elections for our country.
Obi on his part, also commended PDP governors for performing well in their states, adding that they were owing less and performing better.
“I could see they need the encouragement,” he said.
The presidential candidate’s running mate, also commended PDP governors for hosting one of theirs, saying this was the first thing I have witnessed in this country, where a governor was leaving and other governors celebrate him.
“Usually it is oh you are going you are on your own. It is something worth celebrating.’’
He also advised Fayose not to be far away from the party. -
Tears, uncertainty as Fayose departs Ekiti for Abuja
The outgoing Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, left the state on Sunday amid hailing and emotional farewell from his admirers.
He had earlier on Saturday embarked on a ‘Thank you walk’ around major streets of Ado Ekiti, where he received accolades from traders, artisans and other residents of the state.
Fayose, clad in a T-shirt and jean trousers, climbed through the open-roof of his Lexus jeep carrying a board with the inscription, “Ekiti-Kete, Thank You All and Goodbye.”
On Sunday, tears rolled down the cheeks of many who lined up the streets to bid him farewell en route to the Akure Airport, Ondo State, where he had to board a flight.
The second term tenure of the governor ends midnight of Monday (today) while he has a date to keep with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday by 1 pm.
Earlier at a thanksgiving held in his honour at the Government’s House Chapel, Fayose, in an emotion-laden voice, thanked the people for their support.
He told the people that he would always be with them, urging them to trust in God for a better future for him and the state.
The event was attended by traditional rulers led by their Chairman and Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe.
Also at the event were the wife of the governor, Feyi; the outgoing Deputy-Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, and his wife, Janet; the Chief of Staff, Dipo Anisulowo; Head of Service, Dr Gbenga Faseluka; the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Modupe Alade; former Speaker, Kola Oluwawole; members of the national and state assembly, and members of the cabinet, among others.
At the event, Feyi said her husband would come back to Ekiti a triumphant man.
“We are coming back; I don’t know how but I have 200 per cent assurances,” she said.
Fayose said he was leaving a contented and fulfilled man.
He said, “I’m contented, I’m happy and I say thank you. Don’t be disparaged, don’t worry about me, I will come back. I will rise to the glory of God. I have enjoyed uncommon grace; I will never complain but thank God.”
Fayose told Oluwawole, who was impeached as Speaker on Thursday by 14 members of the state’s House of Assembly, not to fight back.
“I don’t want you to trouble your mind, there won’t be testimonies without battles. Go and concede defeat in the overall interest of Ekiti. You were removed illegally but let God fight for you.”
In his sermon entitled, “Affliction shall not rise the second time,” the Chaplain of the Government House, Revd. Seyi Olusola, said a man must be ready to face affliction if he must rise.
“Don’t allow anything to trouble your mind, always come to God,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fayose on Sunday left for the Abuja office of the EFCC.
He said he was not scared of the detention of the anti-graft agency, adding that he wanted to go the EFCC deliberately in order not to give the impression that he would flee after handing over to his successor.
Speaking to newsmen at the Akure Airport, Akure, Ondo State capital, where he boarded the plane to Abuja, the governor said he was always available for questions or interrogations.
He said, “My tenure expires on the 16th of October; this is the journey to Abuja. It is safer to be in Abuja than to be in Lagos and be creating the impression that you want to escape. There is no seaport in Abuja. The EFCC doesn’t need any drama; I am a man of courage. I have told them I’m coming and I’m on my way to them.
“So, after a meritorious service, anybody who wants to call me to question, I’m available to them, just one call away and my going now is my demonstration to them that I’m a man of my words.
“I’m not scared of anything. I always say to the people that the life of a man does not consist in the abundance of what he has. Life is for the courageous, not for the weak. I have served well, I have defended the common man in this country and I will continue to defend them.
“I will never be cowed by anybody. It is important to speak truth to power; I will not allow myself or any Nigerian to be oppressed.”
Fayose also declared that he remained the leader of the people of Ekiti State and would continue to defend them.
“In or out of office, I am always their leader. Ekiti comes first above everything and anybody and we will continue to defend our people, “he stressed.
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Political appointees, friends shun Fayose’s farewell dinner; food wasted
A dinner party organised on Friday night by the outgoing Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, to round-off his tenure in office was shunned by the expected crowd of party faithfuls and political appointees.
The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the dinner which ought to have begun at 7:00 pm did not record up to 20 of the expected guests till about midnight.
Only journalists, armed security men, protocol officers and band boys of a musical group contracted to perform at the ceremony were present, as at 11 pm.
Those conspicuously absent at the valedictory dinner were members of the state House of Assembly and political appointees of the governor, commissioners, and permanent secretaries.
The development made food and drinks meant for the entertainment of guests to be wasted.
A government house source told NAN that many of those invited were unhappy with the departing governor for various reasons.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that aside from the governor who paid himself and his deputy lump sums as severance package, including vehicles, none of the appointees was paid a dime.
“Besides, all the 16 local government chairmen are battling to save their jobs in the court, as information was rife on Friday that the incoming governor had concluded arrangement to dissolve the councils anytime soon after his swearing-in on Tuesday.
“The comment of the governor earlier in the day was shocking to most political appointees when he told them that whatever that anyone of them may likely encounter in the hands of the new governor, should be taken calmly as such was a prize of leadership.”
Commenting on the development, one of the personal domestic staff of the outgoing governor, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was not in any way disappointed by the people’s attitude, as it is common with human beings.
He recalled that when the governor was still very much in power, thousands of people would always answer his call at the slightest notice, such that the venue of any event organised by him was always overcrowded.
Before the aborted dinner, the governor handed over the instruments of office to the Head of Service, Gbenga Faseluka, at a special valedictory State Executive Council meeting at the new Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
Mr Fayose said history would be kind to him the way he managed the resources in trust for the people of the state.
He said he would be available to answer questions on how he ruled the state anytime he is called upon to do so.
Mr Fayose said: “What has a beginning must have an end. It is not the number of years spent but the quantity and quality of achievements.
“I thank the people of the state for their cooperation and urge them to extend same to the incoming administration. I’m a man who came, saw and conquered. I can’t finish all, I have done my best.
“History will be kind on me as a man who has given his best to the people.
“I will remember all for your support, I bear no grudges against anyone.”
He also inaugurated the new State speaker’s lodge named after Kolawole Oluwawole who was impeached as speaker on Thursday by the state lawmakers. He was replaced with Adeniran Alagbada.
Mr Fayose urged the deposed Speaker to see his impeachment as a “price of leadership.”
He told Mr Oluwawole: “If I were you, in the interest of Ekiti, I will tell them to carry on. Everything works for good.”
(NAN)
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Fayose presents handover note to HoS, advocates support for Fayemi
The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has presented a handover note to the state’s Head of Service, Dr. Gbenga Faseluka.
The event took place during the special State Executive Council meeting at the new Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti on Friday.
Speaking at the council’s meeting witnessed by some traditional rulers, the outgoing governor thanked the people of the state for the opportunity to serve.
He urged them to extend same cooperation to the incoming administration in the interest of the development of the state.
Fayose said, “What has a beginning must have an end. It is not the number of years spent but the quantity and quality of achievements.
“I thank the people of the state for their cooperation and urge them to extend same to the incoming administration.
“There should never be a vacuum; our priority must be Ekiti in the discharge of our duties.
“I’m a man who came, saw and conquered. I can’t finish all. I have done my best. History will be kind to me as a man who has given his best to the people.
“I will remember you all for your support. I bear no grudges against anyone.”
Fayose said he would be available to answer any question on his administration.
The Commissioner for Finance, Toyin Ojo; and that of Works, Mrs. Funmi Ogun, who spoke at the event, thanked Fayose for the opportunity to serve. -
Fayose commissions building, names it after impeached Speaker
Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has inaugurated the Speaker’s Residence.
The newly inaugurated Speaker’s Residence was named after the immediate ex-Speaker and called “The Rt. Hon Kola Oluwawole’s Residence.”
Recall that Oluwawole was impeached on Thursday by 14 of the 26 members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.
Fayose, at the inauguration, told Oluwawole to see his impeachment as the price of leadership.
“If I were you, in the interest of Ekiti, I would tell them to carry on. Everything works for good.”
At the inauguration of the Speaker’s Residence, the Commissioner of Works, Mrs. Funmi Ogun, who spoke at the event, said Fayose’s administration executed over 180 projects either through contractors or via direct labour. -
Why I won’t attend Fayemi’s inauguration – Fayose
The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has explained that he may not honour invitation to attend the inauguration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi because of the erratic nature of politicians.
The Governor added that he had promised to appear at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) on October 16, which he said coincided with day of the swearing in.
The governor also advised that whoever emerges Speaker in the state House of Assembly should work for the progress of the state.
Fayemi had on Wednesday disclosed that Fayose was specially being expected at his swearing in on Tuesday, saying he is free to attend the ceremony as Ekiti leader.
Speaking at a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, Fayose said the EFCC may have the opportunity of harassing him if he reneged on his promise to appear before it next Tuesday.
“Politicians are erratic people, if I should attend the programme, some politicians may use the chance to harass me even when they are not sent by Fayemi.
“This will further destroy relationship. Issues between me and Fayemi is not personal. I have been cooperating with the committee set up by Fayemi on this transition
“Again, I have to be in EFCC office in Abuja on Tuesday. But let me say clearly that I am ready to appear before any Panel set up by incoming government to probe my administration”, he said.
Fayose stated that he has not committed Ekiti to any debt, either by way of bond or bank loans since he took over in 2014.
“Contrary to what they are saying that I have committed Ekiti to a huge debt, I didn’t commit Ekiti with a dime. Whatever we do in government, history will forever remain after us”.
He urged Fayemi to deploy the N327 million kept in bank by his administration to complete the new Oja Oba market for the use of Ekiti traders.
The Governor added that he decided to abandon the civic centre project started by Fayemi and constructed a new market because it was not a priority to the people of the state.
Fayose said the newly built Ministry of Finance shall be named after former Minister of National Planning, Chief Ayo Ogunlade to appreciate his contributions to the state.
The governor said he decided not to name any project after himself on the basis of his belief that such was morally wrong.
“The flyover, the new governor’s office, the roads, the Oja Oba market, the Funmilayo Olayinka Women development centre and other projects will speak for me even if I refuse to name projects after myself,” he said.
Fayose said he won’t dabble into the crisis rocking the State Assembly, which culminated in the removal of the Speaker, Hon Kola Oluwawole and his deputy, Sina Animasaun on Thursday.
Three All Progressives Congress (APC) and 11 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday removed the principal officers and installed an APC lawmaker, Hon Adeniran Alagbada, as the new Speaker.
Fayose said: “I won’t dabble into what is happening in the assembly. Whether they elect Oluwawole or Alagbada, such person must believe that he was elected to serve Ekiti people.
“I enjoin them to cooperate with Fayemi to move Ekiti forward. I don’t want to hear of any impeachment against Fayemi, if truly we are here to serve”, he advised. -
Alleged corruption: Fayose reveals when he will visit EFCC office
…says he is not afraid of investigations
The outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has said he is ready to face the investigation team of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
According to a media report, the EFCC had already set up a special team to grill the governor for allegedly receiving over N1.2bn from a former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (retd.) through a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.
Fayose, who said he had a clear conscience, told the commission to expect him in its office on October 16, a day after the expiration of his tenure.
“He who has clear conscience fears no foe. The EFCC should still expect me at 1pm next Tuesday,” he said.
Fayose spoke on Wednesday during the inauguration of a new school he built in his Afao-Ekiti home country as part of his legacy projects in the state.
At the event, he asked workers to collect their outstanding four months’ salaries from the incoming governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi.
He said the funds he could have used to pay them as expected had been withheld by the Federal Government ahead of Fayemi’s resumption.
“They paid other states Paris Refund, they didn’t pay Ekiti; Fayemi should help me pay the money.
“They didn’t pay Ekiti N2.2bn Budget Support Fund; my promise is fulfilled but the money is in the hands of the government, they should help me to pay.”
The governor told the gathering that he did not borrow money from anywhere to fund any of the projects.
“With all these legacy projects, I didn’t borrow any dime. I do not owe any debt, if they say I owe, they should show evidence of the transaction.
“Besides, no governor can borrow without the knowledge of the Ministry of Finance and the Debt Management Office.”
Fayose urged the incoming administration not to neglect the school or abandon any legacy project.
He said the school named Gifted Academy International would receive students from Ekiti and outside on 50:50 ratio.
“The school is equipped with modern equipment, laboratories, furniture and Closed-Circuit Television for surveillance,” he said.