ABUJA—GOVERNOR Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has expressed frustration about the condition Nigerian polity subjects intellectual citizens to, noting that intellectualism had been sacrificed at the altar of grassroots politics.
Fayemi, who stated this at the maiden edition of award of excellence organised by the Senate Press Corps for outstan-ding senators, also called on senators and members of the House of Representatives to rise and rescue the nation’s democracy, which he said was under threat.
The governor said he was at the ceremony in solidarity with the senator representing Ekiti North, Olubunmi Adetunbi, who he described as a worthy son of Ekiti State, having distinguished himself among his colleagues.
He said: “I am here to pay homage to service, intellect and activism. Although I came for my friend, but the array of people being honoured this evening are people I respect a lot. Beyond partisanship, they have demonstrated what it is to be committed to humanity.
“Intellect is not supposed to be popular in our country right now. If you are an intellectual, you are an elite and an elite is what should be thrown into the dustbin, not to be associated with.”
Those honoured were the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, Senator Ita Enang, Senator Aisha Hassan, Senator Olubunmi Adetunbi, Senator Domingo Obende and the Clark of the Senate, Salisu Mikasua.
The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has said that events unfolding after the June 21 governorship election in the state suggest that the election was manipulated from ‘‘source.’’
In due course, she said that the full story of how the election was allegedly manipulated against Governor Kayode Fayemi would be revealed.
She bared her mind while delivering a keynote address at the 50th anniversary public lecture and award ceremony of the state chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers.
The theme of her address was “Women yesterday, today and tomorrow – the Ekiti experience.”
On the occasion, Governor Fayemi; a legal practitioner, Mrs. Funmi Falana; and the immediate past state President of the National Council of Women’s Societies, Mrs. Nike Obatayo, were given awards for their exemplary contributions to women rights and empowerment.
According to the governor’s wife, many armchair analysts and commentators have opined that the electorate embraced patronage, popularly known as ‘stomach infrastructure’ as opposed to sustainable development during the last elections.
She said, “I would like to state that we have not heard the last about the election. Two weeks after the immediate confusion and hysteria of the June 21 election, a picture has begun to emerge.
“This will, hopefully, reframe the debates emanating from and about Ekiti and the choices they allegedly made on that day.
“In due course, the full and real story of how the Ekiti election of June 21 was manipulated from source will be revealed. There are many implications for Ekiti people having voted the way they supposedly did.”
She said that one of the implications, as it concerns women, was that all policies, laws and structures put in place over the past three years to protect them
Some Elders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State on the weekend made good their phrases to not work for the party’s candidate, Mr Ayo Fayose as they publicly declared their support for the re-election of Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Two of the 18 PDP stakeholders who had a number of days in the past signed an advertorial dissociating themselves from Fayose’s candidature- Justice Edward Ojuolape (rtd) and Chief Dapo Alibaloye- had on the adoption of Governor Fayemi by Ekiti indigenes in Ondo State, mentioned they’re supporting Fayemi to proceed his good works in Ekiti past 2014 as a result of the candidate of the PDP doesn’t possess the qualities that dignify the character of Ekiti State.
Ojuolape and Alibaloye who had been on the adoption meeting by Ekiti Descendants Union in Akure on Saturday, stated the State doesn’t want a governor who’s lacks character and who neither respects elders nor the workplace of the governor.
The duo stated Fayemi in distinction is a humble chief who has carried out governance with panache and nice sense of duty and is seen as a shining mild amongst fellow governors.
“As stakeholders in the Ekiti project, we owe the people the responsibility of directing them to vote for someone that we believe can dignify the personality of Ekiti State. This we believe Ayo Fayose does not possess. We need a befitting governor. When the President gave us the person who pleased him, we told him we cannot work with him, and that is why we decided to support Fayemi whom we believe can carry on our vision for the development of Ekiti State”, Alibaloye said.
At the occasion, Ekiti indigenes in Ondo State below the platform of Ekiti Descendants Union (EDU) pledged their help for the re-election of Governor Fayemi.
The State President of the Union, Mr Dare Adebayo in his speech mentioned the Union determined to help Fayemi due to his achievements within the State within the final three and a half years.
Adebayo who listed the strides of the Fayemi-led administration to incorporate the a lot celebrated and foremost social security scheme in West Africa which based on him has extended the life span of the aged residents within the State, the distribution of laptop computer computer systems to college students in addition to the renovation of colleges which have enhanced the efficiency of students in nationwide examinations.
The Union who displayed their voter playing cards as proof of readiness to take part within the Saturday ballot stated they might come home and re-elect Fayemi in order that the great works which the governor has completed and which they’re happy with will proceed.
In his remarks, the Governor stated he isn’t shocked by the endorsement from each the PDP stalwarts and the Ekiti in Diaspora; saying that everybody who’s dedicated to the values and progress of the State is for certain to pitch their tents with him.
Dr. Fayemi who acknowledged that the endorsement has positioned upon him the burden to extend his efficiency on re-election asserted that the PDP elders have been constant of their protection of Ekiti values and are positive to not assist anybody who’s liable of transferring the State backwards.
He reiterated that the essence of looking for re-election is to proceed to maneuver the State ahead to an enviable top and deliver to the individuals the event that may be a reference for upcoming generations.
He said: “These are elders that are known all over Ekiti having been consistently defensive of Ekiti values. They have come out to endorse my candidature. It is a humbling thing but I think it also places a lot of burden of responsibility on me. The whole point of asking for a second term is to consolidate on what we have done and to ensure that we don’t suffer any reversal in the state. Ekiti state must go forward, it cannot retrogress because our people are desirous of consolidating the developmental transformation that has taken place in the state. So I am not surprised that anyone who has value of progress, decency, compassion and of wanting competent people in government naturally want to endorse my candidature because I believe as they do, we have done well in office “.
Fayemi, who stated this at the maiden edition of award of excellence organised by the Senate Press Corps for outstan-ding senators, also called on senators and members of the House of Representatives to rise and rescue the nation’s democracy, which he said was under threat.
In due course, she said that the full story of how the election was allegedly manipulated against Governor Kayode Fayemi would be revealed.
Two of the 18 PDP stakeholders who had a number of days in the past signed an advertorial dissociating themselves from Fayose’s candidature- Justice Edward Ojuolape (rtd) and Chief Dapo Alibaloye- had on the adoption of Governor Fayemi by Ekiti indigenes in Ondo State, mentioned they’re supporting Fayemi to proceed his good works in Ekiti past 2014 as a result of the candidate of the PDP doesn’t possess the qualities that dignify the character of Ekiti State.