He is noted to be controversial and dogged; that is how many would describe him – Ayodele Fayose, the Governor of Ekiti State. But his personality, in some quarters and to a number of people, has been enigmatic, just as Bola Tinubu’s, when he was governor of Lagos State and had to contend with the Olusegun Obasanjo-led Federal Government over a number of issues.
Fayose: Must Ekiti people, especially the workers, be made to suffer just because of the forthcoming governorship election? Is it by inhuman act that these APC people intend to realise their tall dream of taking over Ekiti State by force
Fayose, as usual, is in the news again, embroiled in controversy with the former governor of the state and Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, over an allegation that the ex-governor was preventing the payment of N11bn Federal Government’s refund to Ekiti State.
One, ordinarily, had thought that with the smooth transition of power between the duo in 2014, as Fayemi conceded defeat and there was hitch-free hand-over of government to Fayose, there would be no squabble whatsoever. But no sooner had the smooth process taken place than Fayose lashed at the ex-governor.
As time progressed, the relationship between the two politicians headed for the worse, as Fayose instituted a probe panel to investigate the administration of Fayemi. The panel invited the ex-governor but he shunned the summons and, in the long run, the government came out with a White Paper, placing a 10-year ban on Fayemi and his Commissioner for Finance while in government, Mr. Dapo Kolawole, over alleged graft.
This is also coming after Fayemi had raced to court to stop the panel from probing him.
The latest development in the tiff between the two bigwigs is that, Fayose is now accusing Fayemi and the APC of blocking billions of Federal Government refunds accruable to the state, following the rehabilitation of some federal roads by his government.
But while Fayemi had denied having a hand in the development, Kolawole had also instituted a suit against Fayose, to challenge a 10-year ban on him by the state government.
The 10-year ban on Fayemi, some observers contended, is a calculated attempt by Fayose to stall the ex-governor’s political ambition of contesting for governor again, as Fayose reportedly feared a Fayemi reprisal once the minister comes back to power.
Meanwhile, Fayose, explaining what the money allegedly barred from reaching the coffers of his government was meant for, said he had planned to use it to pay the outstanding salaries of Ekiti civil servants, adding that it was the hope that the money would soon be paid that made him to constantly assure the workers that he would not leave the office a debtor of salary, come October 16 when he must vacate office.
Fayemi: The (Ekiti) government, out of desperation, has refused to release the Certified True Copy of the report of the panel to my counsel, more than a month after the lawyer had sent in a written application for the CTC of the report
He said, “It is with heavy heart and deep sense of responsibility that I address you today on the latest display of deep-seated hatred against Ekiti State and its people by leadership of the All Progressives, especially the Minister of Solid Mineral and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
“When I said that I won’t leave office as a debtor of salary, I was sure that the over N12bn owed the state by the Federal Government on construction and rehabilitation of federal roads would be paid this month.
“However, I’m shocked that in their usual characteristics of working against every effort to alleviate the suffering of the people, Dr. Fayemi through his Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Kolawole, went to court in Abeokuta, seeking an order that the N11bn refund should not be paid to my administration.
“Because of this court action, the refund that should have been made this month is said to have been stopped.”
According to him, the latest onslaught was aimed at destabilising the state government ahead of the July governorship election.
“My question is; must Ekiti people, especially the workers, be made to suffer just because of the forthcoming governorship election? Is it by inhuman act that these APC people intend to realise their tall dream of taking over Ekiti State by force? I consider this as wickedness taken too far against one’s own people, all in the name of election. It is my belief that irrespective of our political affiliation, the wellbeing and interest of our people should come first.”
Meanwhile, the governor has filed criminal charges of corruption against Fayemi and Kolawole. The 19-count charge was filed before an Ado Ekiti High Court, on January 26, 2018.
But Fayemi, in his reaction, said he knew nothing about the stoppage of Ekiti’s refund from the Federal Government, and described Fayose’s suit as a show of desperation, saying both parties would meet in court.
This was just as Kolawole also dragged Fayose and two others before a Federal Ekiti High Court, for alleged libel.
Fayemi, describing Fayose as completely vindictive in the issuing of a White Paper against him, said, “The government, out of desperation, refused to release the Certified True Copy of the report of the panel to my counsel more than a month after the lawyer had sent in a written application for the CTC of the report.”
He also said the report of Fayose’s panel would not stand the test of time, calling it, “Joke of the Century”.
The Fayose-Fayemi tango is still unfolding, as Ekiti goes to poll on July 22, to elect a new governor.
