We Won’t Be Rubberstamp to Fayose, Says Ekiti Assembly

Olakiitan Victor in Ado Ekiti

Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Right Hon. Kola Oluwawole, has given the assurance that the legislature would not be a rubber stamp of the executive, led by Governor Ayodele Fayose, despite the cordial relationship existing between the two arms of government.

Fayose and Omirin

Oluwawole made the assertion while featuring on a live programme of the state owned Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State.

Reacting to a question on why the House had said it would continue to work hand in glove with the Fayose-led administration, despite the paucity of fund to run smooth legislative functions, the Speaker noted that there was no reason for members of the House to bicker with the governor over funding issue, as he had always laid all the cards on the table for all to see.

“The governor has been transparent. We know the exact situation that this state has found itself in. So, there cannot be rancour. But that does not mean that we have to be pocketed. We will do our oversight functions and chastise the executive where and when necessary. We are not complaining because we know the magnitude of the debt on ground. We know how every kobo that comes in is appropriated. So, there is no reason that we should bicker over that. But we know that the situation will improve,” he said.

U 17 World Cup: Eaglets Start Title Defence with 2-0 Win over US Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, the reigning U-17 World Champions, have begun their title defence on the right foot after taking down a resilient USA side 2-0 in their opening match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015.

A scoreless opening 45 minutes saw plenty of chances go begging for both sides. USA’s Haji Wright came the closest to opening the scoring 13 minutes in after getting on the end of Christian Pulisic’s cross but the No7 could not keep his effort from going over the crossbar.

Pulisic in particular tormented the Nigerian backline with his pace and skill attacking down the left, but the Super Eaglets held on and five minutes after the break took the lead. The Americans were unable to clear during a scramble in their area and Chukwudi Agor capitalised on the Stars and Stripes’ mistake and smashed the ball into the net, leaving William Pulisic no chance.

The opening goal did not diminish the Americans’ attacking spirit, but Richie Williams’ side could not create any clear-cut chances to find an equaliser. And with half an hour remaining, Victor Osimhen doubled Nigeria’s lead after cleverly beating two defenders and calmly finishing past Pulisic.

To make matters worse for USA, Auston Trusty was shown a straight red card three minutes from time, which will require coach Williams to make some changes in his backline ahead of the Americans’ next match against Croatia on Tuesday. With the man advantage, the Super Eaglets confidently controlled the tempo of the game until the final whistle to put them on top of Group A, at least temporarily as Croatia take on tournament hosts Chile, also in Santiago, later on Saturday evening in the group’s other match-up.

We Won’t Be Rubberstamp to Fayose, Says Ekiti Assembly

Why Fayose cancelled independence fair

By Rotimi Olaleye

Ado-Ekiti—Governor  Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state yesterday cancelled all forms of fare as well as parades usually held on Independence Days.

Fayose vows to lead opposition against APC

Giving his reason for the action,  Fayose in a broadcast said there was nothing to celebrate in view of the economic situation in the country.

“I do not think it is proper to engage in jamboree when it is becoming increasingly difficult to pay workers salaries.

“The current situation demands sober reflection from all and we cannot pretend about this,” Fayose said.

He ordered residents to stay at home and enjoy the celebration in low-key.

As a result of the governor’s order, the usual activities associated with the celebration were absent in most parts of Ado-Ekiti  yesterday.

However, there were few places where pockets of activities were organised by individuals or corporate bodies.

 

Students protest

Meantime, Ekiti State Students under the aegis of the Federation of Ekiti State Students Union, FESSU, and the National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS, yesterday protested against the scrapping of free education in the state by the  administration.

As early as 8.30 am  the placard-carrying students, who were mobilized from the state-owned tertiary institutions, poured into the streets of Ado Ekiti chanting songs denouncing the alleged government’s poor attitude to education.

The angry students marched from Ajilosun, stopping at various junctions where they addressed members of the public on their grievances saying they would be forced to continue the protest until Fayose accedes to their demands.

The march caused a huge traffic snarl at Ijigbo roundabout with some officers of the Department of State Services, DSS, on hand to prevent hoodlums from hijacking the protest.

Some of the students’ placards read: ”Ekiti Students Pass Vote of No Confidence on Fayose”, “Primary/Secondary Education Must Be Free In Ekiti”, “Ekiti Bursary, Nothing But A Scam”, “Blackout in Ekiti State University”, “College of Education, Ikere Ekiti Fees Must Be Reduced”, “No To N50,000 Acceptance Fee at College of Health Technology, Ijero”, “Don’t Stop Payment of WAEC Fees for Poor Students”, “We Reject Exclusion From Education Summit”, among others.

Addressing reporters during the protest, FESSU National President, Peter Obayemi, said that students no longer have access to bursary from the state government accusing officials of the Scholarship Board of underhand dealings.

Obayemi revealed that he was allegedly detained on the orders of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, over his agitation for the payment of bursary to Ekiti students at the State Scholarship Board.

He said the student bodies would no longer tolerate intimidation by any government official no matter how highly placed, saying the Fayose administration had declared war on students by its actions.

 

APC kicks over SIEC composition

Meantime, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state has taken the governor and State Independent Electoral Commission, SIEC, to court over composition of the electoral body.

In a suit filed by its counsel, Abiodun Fasakin and Tajudeen Akingbolu, the party said the composition of the electoral body contradicted the constitutional requirement for a non-partisan electoral body that could organise credible elections that would be acceptable to all contesting parties.

In the originating summons before the State High Court, Ado-Ekiti, the defendants are to appear before the court within seven days after service of the summons on them.

Commenting on the development, the party’s state publicity secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, alleged that members of the electoral body as constituted by the governor is composed of card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, noting that such action was illegal and invitation to chaos inherent in the electoral umpire providing support for a contesting party to the detriment of others.

Why Fayose cancelled independence fair

Fayose hails Buhari’s inaugural speech

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has hailed the inaugural speech of President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as a sign that the president is ready to serve all Nigerians, not minding their political affiliation.

Fayose vows to lead opposition against APC

The governor said, “The content of the president’s speech showed a man who is desirous of making a success of his administration.”

According to the statement issued by the governor’s Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor also hailed the immediate past president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, describing him as a good democrat.

The governor said; “Nigerians, including those who voted and did not vote for President Buhari were eagerly waiting for his inaugural speech.

“The speech, if followed in practice shows that he is ready to govern Nigeria. It is a sign that the President is ready to live above board and lead a government that accommodates all.

“It is my prayer that the Almighty Allah will grant our President the courage and wherewithal to make a success of his administration and further deepen democratic governance, especially in a confederation like Nigeria by sustaining the rule of law.”

Speaking further, Governor Fayose, who urged the president to make sure that his name was not used surreptitiously by anyone to muscle the opposition, added that as the President of Nigeria, he had the constitutional duty to protect all Nigerians, not minding the political party they belong to.

While praising former President Goodluck Jonathan for his love for peace and progress of the country, Governor Fayose said; “With what Dr. Goodluck Jonathan did, history will never forget him as the man who laid an enduring foundation for democracy in Nigeria.”

He said Friday’s event midwifed by Dr. Jonathan and President Buhari proved to the whole world that the black people of Africa were capable of piloting their own affairs.

Fayose hails Buhari’s inaugural speech

Breaking: Again, Soldiers allegely hold Amaechi hostage in Ondo State

Press release:

The Rivers State Government is concerned about the safety of Governor Amaechi who is right now being held hostage commando style by soldiers and federal government security agents in Odudu, Ondo state.

Governor Amaechi as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ forum and as an APC governor and chieftain had left Port Harcourt this morning for Ekiti state where he was to join his brother governor in his last mega rally before the elections.

Governor Amaechi was ambushed and refused entry into Ekiti by military personnel acting on orders from above. He made to turn back and return to Akure where his chattered aircraft was parked but was chased and rounded by armed soldiers and security personnel in Odudu, Ondo state. According to the captain who led the operation, he had orders not to allow the governor entry or exit.

In the meantime, the chattered aircraft that conveyed he governor has been grounded while the ministers of Defence, police Affairs and Minister of state for Defence have landed the Akure airport.

The Rivers State government is especially worried that Federal government and President Jonathan have singled out Governor Amaechi for harassment and attack.

While we hold the person and office of the President in utmost regards, we believe that it is unacceptable that the presidency would disrespect the person and office of an elected governor of a federating unit and consistently hound him.

The Rivers state government is all more worried as Ondo saga is coming on the heels of a plot by six PDP lawmakers this morning to carry out a kangaroo impeachment of the duly elected governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, con first at Krisdara hotels and later Bauchi street, Port Harcourt.

Ordinarily such banality should be ignored as it neither is legal nor constitutional. However in the light of the recent attempts to hoist a Chief Judge on Rivers people through the back door and the attendant rumours that the reason for that desperate act was to make it easier for the PDP to actualize its sinister daydream of ousting Governor Amaechi before May 29, 2015, we believe that it has become necessary to draw the attention of Rivers people, Nigerians and the international community to the situation in Rivers State.

Only yesterday, in preparation for this tragicomedy, the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused Governor Amaechi of importing terrorists into the state and the region. They continued their diatribe by demanding that the governor of Rivers State be put under surveillance. The State Government wouldn’t have dignified the PDP’s display of ignorance with a response but for the fact that these accusations coupled with today’s actions are omniuos signs of how far the PDP is willing to go in its quest to cling onto power by all means.

The antecedents of impunity on the part of the leadership of the PDP are instructive and the party’s desperation to harm and stop anyone they perceive as major threat to their crumpling electoral fortunes next year is no longer news. The detention attempt and incident at the Kano International Airport last week are still fresh in the minds of Nigerians. Also, the call to put Gov Amaechi under surveillance (or is it house arrest?) on the same day that PDP started effort to unseat the Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency, Murtala Nyako, is enough indication of the script already written by a jittery PDP

It is sad that the insane minds of the authors of the PDP accusation are jeopardizing police investigations of the 486 travellers who were intercepted in Aba, Abia State, and who are still being screened. One only wishes that the PDP would address the issues of the insecurity in the country with as much fervor and vigour as it deploys towards witch hunting its political opponents

The River Government wishes to state that the world knows those who feather the nest of cultists and militants and for whom they are canon fodder. Governor Amaechi’s position on cultisim, violence and insecurity are clear as is his commitment to fighting poverty and improving the lives of our present and future generations.

The Rivers State Government will not be deterred in its efforts to deliver good governance and ddemocratic dividends to our people.

We appeal to all Rivers people appeals to all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and citizens in the state to remain calm in the face of these provocation.

We call on the Security Agencies to exhibit professionalism in their conduct of affairs. We appeal to all well meaning people in Nigeria and around the world to please call the PDP to order before they truncate our democracy.

It appears to us that the PDP clearly have no interest in the peace and stability either Rivers state.

We are mindful of these mischievous elements but continue to call for tolerance and eternal vigilance. We are certain that the God who reigns in the affairs of Rivers people will again deliver us from this evil and terror that stalks us at noon day

Signed

Ibim Semenitari

Commissioner of Information and Communications

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Breaking: Again, Soldiers allegely hold Amaechi hostage in Ondo State