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Tag: Fayose

  • BREAKING: Fayose floors EFCC in court

    The Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State has ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC lacked power to investigate finances of the Ekiti State.

    According to the court, “in federalism, the Federal Government is not an overseer or supervisor regarding finances of a State.”

    The court informed that only the State House of Assembly can investigate finances of a State.

    The court restrained the anti-graft agency from interfering in the running of Ekiti State by either investigating or arresting any official of the State Government.

     

  • 2019: Atiku visits Fayose, hails him for standing up to opposition roles

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday visited Ekiti State where he held talks with the state Governor, Ayo Fayose and leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    Stating why he chose to visit Ekiti first since his return to the party, Atiku said Fayose’s role as opposition leader and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum has held put the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on its toes.

    He commended Fayose for various projects being executed in the state.

    Atiku said Fayose’s popularity in Ekiti and Nigeria was not in doubt as he has been acknowledged as “frank, bold and straight forward politician.”

    He said: “Since my return to PDP, this is the first state I am visiting to consult with leadership and party members.

    “Governor Fayose and I had struck a relationship during his first tenure and I respect him for this.”

    Atiku also hailed Fayose for nominating his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, as his preferred candidate for the 2018 governorship election.

    The ex-vice president said he was not in Ekiti for campaign but to consult with party leaders on the way forward.

    But Fayose, himself a presidential aspirant, used the opportunity to throw verbal missiles at former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his latest advice to President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019.

    The governor alleged that Obasanjo was aggrieved with the President because his (Obasanjo’s) ministerial nominees were rejected.

    Calling Obasanjo unprintable names, Fayose faulted the ex-President’s call for a Third Force as alternative to PDP and All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He maintained that PDP remains the most viable alternative to APC, urging Nigerians to return the party to power in 2019.

    Fayose also blasted Buhari for allegedly inflicting hardship on Nigerians.

    The Ekiti governor said exchange rate has shrunk by 45 per cent under President Buhari whom he accused of doing nothing to stop the recent killing of Nigerians in some parts of the country.

    He said every attempt to muzzle PDP would fail and predicted a landslide victory for the party in the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti.

  • Public office ban: Fayemi replies Fayose, tags it ‘joke of the century’

    The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said the White Paper the state government released yesterday on his alleged probe is a joke taken too far.

    A statement by his Senior Special Assistant (Media), Olayinka Oyebode, reads: “The attention of the Media Office of the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has been drawn to the pre-meditated verdict of the Ekiti State government, as contained in the White Paper submitted by the panel set up by Governor Ayo Fayose to investigate the finances of the state between 2010 and 2014.

    “While we believe it is part of the responsibilities of the state administration to look into the finances of the state at any point in time, we are also of the belief that such must be done in a very responsible manner devoid of prejudice, witch hunting and a calculated attempt to victimise a citizen.

    “In this particular case, the entire process is discredited right from the beginning, as the only agenda of the panel was to rubbish Dr Kayode Fayemi’s public service record.

    “One is therefore not surprised at the recommendations of the White Paper: It only goes to confirm our initial position that the panel was compromised right from inception and targeted against Dr Fayemi.

    “In his desperation, Governor Fayose chose the crude and ignoble path towards hitting a perceived political foe.

    “In the process, they ignored the rule of law and behaved as if the court does not matter; thus making their actions subjudice to the court.

    “Fayose was, however, misguided into believing that he could pass a death sentence on Dr Fayemi’s public service with the White Paper. This is not only laughable but also ridiculous, as neither Governor Fayose nor his paid agents have the power to bar anyone from political participation.

    “The entire process and the character personae involved are discredited and since it is impossible to build something on nothing, legally speaking, their recommendation is not only null and void, it is ultra vires.

    “We urge the teeming supporters of Dr Fayemi, the good people of Ekiti State and the general public not to be disturbed by the development. It is simply another act of illegality, from an administration that has elevated political debauchery to state craft.

    “It shall not stand. It is nothing but a joke taken too far, perhaps joke of the century.”

  • 2019: I’m still in the presidential race – Fayose

    Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has insisted that he was still in the contest for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2019 elections.

    He said activities of his campaign had slowed down because of his preparations to ensure victory for his party in the coming Ekiti governorship election.

    The governor spoke on Thursday during an interactive session with teachers in public primary and secondary schools in state.

    Recall that Fayose had earlier declared interest to be president on his party’s ticket despite the party’s decision to zone the presidency to the North.

    He further stated that his campaign would regain its steam after the July 14 governorship election.

    The governor also boasted that he would defeat Kayode Fayemi if he is picked as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

    “I am still in the presidential race, I am only waiting for the time Ekiti governorship election will hold so I can have the time,” he said.

    “Though, I am making contacts, I am reaching out to the people that matter across the country.”

    The governor is up against some governorship aspirants in the PDP who are aggrieved that he had endorsed his deputy, Kolapo Olusola, to succeed him.

    The aspirants have also called on the party leadership to keep Mr. Fayose out of the primaries and ensure a free and fair contest.

    “I have no role to play, only the NWC will present the delegate lists for them to elect the candidate, so I won’t interfere despite my support for Prof Kolapo Olusola,” Mr. Fayose said, while commenting on the primaries.

    “I have no regret supporting Olusola, if it were those people I had supported, they won’t be abusing me. But they remain our brothers and sisters and we are going to put our house in order at the right time so that we can be on the same page.”

    The governor urged the teachers to support Mr. Olusola the way they did to him in the June 21, 2014 governorship election.

    “Don’t vote for those that will come here and sack you,” he said.

    “When they sacked your colleagues in Kaduna State, an APC leader in Ekiti said it was a right step in the right direction and I believe such person is not good for Ekiti teachers.

    “Prof Olusola is a man of integrity, very hardworking and dependable , he won’t betray you. He will protect your interests and I want you to support him.”

    Fayose further assured the teachers that all the outstanding salaries. allowances , bonuses and pensions would be paid before his tenure expires.

  • Herdsmen menace: Fayose talks tough, says visitors not wanted in Ekiti from 8pm

    Sequel to the recent killings in some part of the country especial in Benue State by suspected Fulani herdsmen, Governor Ayodele of Ekiti State on Wednesday hosted local hunters at the State House charging them not to entertain strangers after 8pm.

    Sounding the battle cry, the governor said intelligence report available to him revealed that “Bororo” herdsmen had surreptitiously entered the state.

    Fayose, who wore a camouflage shirt, a pair of trousers and a fez cap to match “to reflect the mood of the nation”, urged the hunters to go back home and defend the people.

    Apart from the local hunters, other residents who showed up at the forum were the revered farmers, popularly called the Agbekoya, vigilance groups and other residents from the Tiv, Idoma and Igede ethnic groups in Benue State.

    The event was highlighted by intermittent firing of gunshots, whistling and songs by the hunters.

    Fayose, who sympathised with the people of Benue State, where scores have been killed by suspected herdsmen, promised not to allow his people to be slain, as done in the Northcentral state.

    The governor claimed that the alleged plan to invade Ekiti was to make the state ungovernable for him ahead of the July 14 governorship election.

    He said the situation in Benue and Taraba states showed that “President Buhari lacks the capacity to protect Nigerians”.

    Fayose said: “I have received letters that the Bororos have entered our reserves; they want to violate our laws. I want to call the attention of the Federal Government that they have come and wanted to kill men, women and kids in Ekiti. We will not allow that to happen here in Ekiti.

    “I want you all, our hunters, to go back today to protect your people. Be vigilant, open your eyes and make sure that everybody entering the state is screened.

    “No one in the guise of grazing should enter our land after 8 p.m. For our brothers who harbour criminals, tell them Ekiti is a no-go area. If your plan is to make this state ungovernable, you are wasting your time.

    “I have called this meeting for everyone to be vigilant. I will begin to support you now to secure Ekiti. Don’t let them take you by surprise; don’t allow them to take Ekiti by storm.

    “Go to the farms and keep vigil; don’t just entertain visitors who come in the night. Screen them. We don’t want visitors in our reserves at 8 p.m.”

    He added: “This (camouflage) dressing is done to charge our hunters to secure the state. I saw pictures of the killings (in Benue) and I wonder if those were human beings. I asked the question if people could be that wicked to kill human beings that way. They will find no peace. It is no tribal killings, but that of mindless people.

    “The blood of the departed will find those people and they won’t know peace. It is the duty of the Federal Government to protect its people. We are not protected.

    “We have never had it so bad. People must come to leadership with conscience. The Federal Government should have sent the Army and not the police.

    “Governor (Samuel) Ortom should fasten his belt and protect his people. Those seeking help in Abuja would not find it because Abuja also needs help. I sympathise with you (Benue) people; nobody will kill you. You are all safe here.”

    Fayose gave out telephone hot lines through which people who notice strange movements can call for urgent attention.

  • Benue massacre: Treat killer herdsmen as terrorists – Fayose tells Buhari

    Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State on Tuesday urged the federal government to arrest and treat Fulani herdsmen on a killing spree in Benue and some parts of the state as terrorists.

    The governor said the killings in Benue state have attained a frightening dimension beyond herdsmen-farmers strife.

    In a series of tweets, Mr. Fayose said the federal government “must act now” as the herdsmen menace has gotten to the level of, ”terrorism and ethnic cleansing.”

    “Just now, we heard news of the herdsmen attacking the camp of Mobile policemen, Mopol 13 in Benue, killing two officers by slitting their throats. Do you call people who could invade the camp of mobile policemen in a guerilla manner and overpower armed Mopol, mere Fulani herdsmen?

    “What is happening in Benue and other middle-belt States is more than a strive (strife) between herdsmen and local farmers, it has gotten to the level of terrorism and ethnic cleansing. FG must act now,” Mr. Fayose tweeted.

    An invasion of Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State during the new year by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen left at least 57 people dead.

    Recall that the presidency had earlier in a statement on Tuesday denied President Muhammadu Buhari’s complacency in the killings.

    The statement, issued Tuesday by presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu, said Mr. Buhari was “conscious of his duty to Nigerians, not least because he is held accountable for everything that goes wrong”.

    “He deeply sympathises with the families and all the other direct and indirect victims of this violence. He is determined to bring it to a permanent end,” the statement said.

    The statement also revealed that Mr. Buhari had been advised to challenge the constitutionality of the anti-open grazing law passed by Benue and Ekiti States, ”a suggestion he rejected.”

  • Pidgin News: Gov Fayose don sama Nigerians again oo, say he wan become pastor

    Pidgin News: Gov Fayose don sama Nigerians again oo, say he wan become pastor

  • I may become clericman after leaving office – Gov. Fayose

    Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, on Thursday spoke about his life after being a two-term governor, saying his plan was to work in the Vineyard as a man of God.

    The governor said after his foray in politics, he could end up being a Christian cleric who would be a fisher of men for the Lord.

    According to a statement issued in Ado Ekiti by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor, said he had the premonition of becoming a great evangelist with a big ministry.

    Adelusi quoted the governor as saying , ” I am Peter the rock who presently is a fisher of men for politics, but who God has destined to end up as a fisher of men for God.”

    However, Fayose, who is also the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, was silent on whether he would go back to the denomination where his late father, Pastor Olufemi Oluwayose, played a prominent role.

    NAN reportd that his father was a cleric in the Christ Apostolic Church, while he currently attends the Deeper Life Bible Church.

    “My criticism of President Buhari is not out of hatred, but to lead to making the necessary corrections. When a driver is driving dangerously and you are sitting in the vehicle, you have to call him to order, otherwise, both of you will perish.

    “President Buhari should allow the country to move forward. Age is not on his side and is also not a plus for him. Anybody calling on him to contest again is his enemy and not doing him any good. Moreover, such a call is a great disservice to our country.

    On this year’s governorship election in Ekiti State, Fayose expressed the confidence that his party, the PDP, would win convincingly.

  • News Hour: Nigeria’s problem beyond restructuring, says Buhari I TNGtv

    News Hour: Nigeria’s problem beyond restructuring, says Buhari I TNGtv

  • I won’t leave uncompleted projects behind – Fayose assures Ekiti residents

    Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has vowed not to leave any uncompleted projects behind by the time his tenure expires on October 15.

    Addressing the people of the state in a broadcast to mark the New Year on Monday, Fayose said he is working assiduously to complete the projects and inaugurate them for public use.

    Thanking the people of the state for their support since the commencement of his second tenure in office, the governor promised to embark on a thank-you tour to all parts of the state later in the year before he leaves office.

    He also promised to clear all the arrears of salaries and allowances owed civil servants before the expiry of his tenure.

    Fayose promised to ensure the continuity of the Urban Renewal progamme of his administration to give the state a face of modernity.

    He said: “I have opened up the horizon of Ekiti State from a rustic countryside to an emerging urban centre in the provisions of infrastructure notably in road construction, public buildings and socio -economic transformation generally.

    “During my first tenure in office, I started the dualization of the Ado-Ekiti major motor ways. My government, during this second term, has been able to extend the dualization of roads to most of our local government headquarters.

    “The icing on the cake is the construction of the multibillion Naira 1.3km Ado-Ekiti overhead carriage which now links Fajuyi park, flying over the Okesa market to the Ojumose road axial.

    “I am also happy to remark that the public building projects which we started during my first tenure in places like the Government House, the State Secretariat and the Trade Fair Arena, to mention but a few, have continued with a new Governor’s office, a befitting complex for the judiciary and a new residential apartment for the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

    “My Government will complete these projects including the ultra-modern market in Ado-Ekiti.”

    On workers’ entitlements, he said: “In the New Year, we shall continue in that same style and redouble our efforts as I do not want to leave Ekiti Government House as debtor of salaries.

    “I am not also unmindful of the yearnings and aspirations of our people in other areas of government responsibilities but we can only do one thing at a time.

    “The insufficiency of today will turn out to be abundance of tomorrow if we can improve on our efforts and dedication.

    “Let us keep hope alive and continue to support government in all its endeavours.”

    Fayose also expressed gratitude to the opposition for putting government on its toes, saying the constitution guarantees freedom of expression.