EFCC grills Fayose, asks ex-gov to return N1.3bn

The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, finally honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday after losing his immunity from prosecution and arrest.

After leading Fayose to the interrogation room, it was learnt that he was asked to write a statement explaining how he spent N1.3bn he allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser through a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, during the build-up to the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The commission also asked him to return the money.

A source at the EFCC, however, told our correspondent that the former governor refused to admit to collecting the money.

He said, “We have treated Fayose with respect since he arrived in our office. We asked him about the money he received from Obanikoro and when he would return it but he is denying everything.

“He said in his statement on oath that he never received any money despite the overwhelming evidence. The man is refusing to cooperate despite the overwhelming evidence we have.”

It was learnt that as of 7 pm on Tuesday, the former governor was still writing his statement.

The funds allegedly traced to Fayose were said to be part of the N4.7bn allegedly handed to Obanikoro by the then National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.)

While about N1.3bn was given to Fayose, another N1.3bn was also handed over to the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State in 2014, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

The funds were said to have been transported from Lagos to Ekiti State by air.

Since the investigation began in 2015, the EFCC has interrogated over 20 persons.

Apart from Obanikoro and Omisore, others interrogated by the EFCC include Captain Ahmed Borodo, the pilot whose plane was allegedly chartered by Obanikoro; Aide-de-Camp to Obanikoro, Lt. Olumide Adewale; and Fayose’s aide, Abiodun Agbele (who is standing trial for allegedly receiving the funds on behalf of Fayose).

Others interrogated include bureau de change operators and senior bank executives.

“Despite the statements made by all these people indicating that Fayose received money, the man is still denying the allegations,” an EFCC detective said.

However, Fayose’s lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said Fayose would not compromise himself in the name of administrative bail.

Ozekhome said Fayose’s accounts had already been frozen by the commission and was already in court over the matter.

On whether Fayose would return the money as demanded by the EFCC, Ozekhome said, “Which money are they saying he should return? Has he said any money is with him? They won’t dare tell him to return the money.

Punch

I’ll Always Be With You, Fayose Promises Residents As He Leaves Ekiti

The outgoing Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose , has promised to always be with the people.

He also urged them to trust in God for a better future for him and the state .

The governor said this during a thanksgiving service held in his honour at the Government House chapel on Sunday morning , after which he traveled out of the state .

And , as Fayose left the state on Sunday afternoon, residents trooped out, hailing him in an emotional farewell .

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 .

Tears rolled down the cheeks of many who lined up the streets to bid him farewell en route the Akure Airport , Ondo State, where he had to catch a flight.

The second term of the governor ends midnight of Monday , while he has a date to keep with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday by 1 .00 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 while he was in office .

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 .

APC chief shot dead at viewing centre, APC, Fayemi seek probe

KAMARUDEEN OGUNDELE

The All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State has challenged security agencies to fish out the killers of a commissioner in the Federal Character Commission, Bunmi Ojo, and prosecute them.

Ojo, a former Personal Assistant to ex-governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni, was shot dead by unknown assailants at a football viewing centre around Ajitadidun area in Ado Ekiti on Friday night.

The deceased had gone to watch an English Premier league match between Manchester United and Leicester on Friday night with some of his friends.

Shortly after settling down to watch the  match, eyewitnesses told our correspondent that six gun-wielding men invaded the centre and shot him in the head and stomach at close range.

His remains have been deposited at the morgue of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.

The Publicity Secretary of the APC, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement rued the untimely death of the APC chieftain, describing it as “a brutish end to a blossoming life and career.”

Describing Ojo as a personal friend and an amiable personality who would not hurt anyone, Olatunbosun said his death was a personal loss to him and everyone who was close to the deceased.

“Those who knew Bunmi (Ojo) cannot but like him, he was an easy-going and upright politician who cultivated friendship in both high and low places, which endeared him to many people.

According to him, his death could not be far from the political machinations of “a devilish politician” in the state.

"We will not rest until the assailants are fished out. This is a test of efficiency for the police and other security operatives,” Olatunbosun added.

Another member of the APC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Ojo’s death might not be unconnected with his ambition to contest the Ekiti North Federal Constituency II in the House of Representatives.

The Federal Constituency is comprised of  Ido/Osi, Ilejemeje and Moba Local Governments.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ekiti, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, could not be reached for comments.

Several calls to his phone by our correspondent were not picked.

However, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has condemned Ojo’s murder, calling on security agencies to arrest and prosecute the killers.

Punch 

AgegePulse

INEC ISSUES CERTIFICATE OF RETURN TO EKITI GOVERNOR- ELECT, FAYEMI

The Ekiti State Governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The National Commissioner in charge of Oyo, Ekiti and Osun states, Adedeji Soyebi, presented the certificate to him at a ceremony held at state’s INEC office in Ado-Ekiti.

Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress won last Saturday’s governorship election, defeating the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka

AgegePulse Magazine

PUNCH

Workers’ salary arrears will be paid in six months –Fayemi

The winner of the Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said that he will pay the backlog of salaries owed civil servants in the state within the first six months of his return to office.

Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress beat Kolapo Olusola of the Peoples Democratic Party in a keenly contested race to succeed the incumbent Governor  Ayodele Fayose.

Speaking at his residence in Isan-Ekiti, the former Minister of Solid Mineral Development, said Ekiti State lost value under Fayose, while also promising to re-introduce free education in the state.

He said, “Ekiti people should expect the eight-point agenda redoubled. They should expect the backlog of salaries cleared within the first six months of my coming to the office. They should expect re-introduction of free education, including payment of fees for the West Africa Examination Council, National Examination Council, National Business and Technical Examinations Board and the national entrance examination into tertiary institutions which they lost out on.

“We will re-introduce social security scheme for the elderly in an enhanced manner. They should expect the return of our youth volunteer programme. Luckily, the Federal Government has started a programme similar to what we used to have in Ekiti State, called N-Power. We will add our own initiative to that programme.

“The outgoing government is not interested in what happens to the young in our society beyond using them as thugs and forcing them to eat crumbs from the table of the master. They should expect a return to decency, decorum, integrity, values in Ekiti State. It is about reclaiming our land and restoring our values which we have lost in the past four years.”

Meanwhile, an APC chieftain, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has congratulated Fayemi on his victory at the poll.

According to the former Minister of State for Works, Fayemi’s victory will change the leadership style in the state, stressing that the people of Ekiti deserved mature leaders who value development of state’s human and natural resources.
Punch

AMBODE CONGRATULATES EKITI GOV-ELECT, FAYEMI

...Says Victory Well Deserved

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday congratulated the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor-Elect of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi for emerging victorious at the keenly contested governorship election held on Saturday.

Fayemi was declared winner of the polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), defeating his closest rival, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 197,459 to 178,121 votes.

Governor Ambode in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna commended President Muhammadu Buhari, leadership and members of APC and its supporters for the hard-fought victory adding that it was a testament to the fact that the electoral value of the party has not waned.

The Governor specially praised and congratulated Fayemi for his hard fought victory and wished him well as he prepares to take the mantle of leadership of the State for a second time.



He also urged the Ekiti Governor-Elect to use his second coming to build on its previous achievements and forge ahead with the quest to unite the Yoruba nation, especially through regional integration and economic transformation of the South-West geo-political zone and justify the confidence the Ekiti electorate have reposed on him.



Governor Ambode also congratulated the Ekiti electorate for comporting themselves peacefully throughout the period of the election, while urging those aggrieved with the result to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters rather than resort to self help.

Fayemi wins as APC, PDP woo voters with cash

Punch

The All Progressives Congress candidate in the Ekiti State governorship election, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has won the poll held on Saturday.

From the results of the 16 local government areas in the state, Fayemi defeated his closest rival, Prof. Kolapo Olusola of the Peoples Democratic Party, in 12 LGAs.

Fayemi polled 197,459 while Olusola scored 178,114 votes.

The election witnessed a large turnout of voters and early arrival of the ad hoc staff and supervisors of INEC at polling units.

Voting materials also arrived early in many polling units across the state while voters conducted themselves well during accreditation process.

But tension set in as allegations of vote-buying were levelled against party agents by voters in some polling units. In some cases, the situation led to friction among loyalists of various political parties.

At Ward 12 in the Igbehin area of Ado-Ekiti, an elderly voter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, accused the All Progressives Congress of offering N5,000 to those who had the Permanent Voter Card to secure their votes. He said he rejected the offer.

“I was offered N5,000 to vote for the party but I rejected it. I am 73 years old retired teacher. I cannot allow the future of my children to be bought by moneybags.  I don’t know how we descended to this level when people brazenly offer money to people to secure their votes. It was not like this in the past. Will our votes count with this problem?” he asked.

In Ayegbaju and Oye-Ekiti, it was alleged that party agents paid those who had no PVC N2,000 to vote in connivance with the INEC officials.

A source, who simply identified herself as Bimbo, said after those who had PVC had voted, some of the remaining ballot papers were thumb-printed by youths who had no PVC with the promise of financial gratification.

She said, “If you look well and observe the polling units, the INEC officials connive to allow this thing to happen. They pretended to check the fingerprint but it is fraud they are perpetrating.”

The Peoples Democratic Party was also accused of offering voters N3,000 each to secure their votes. Apart from the reported N3,000 allegedly paid to some civil servants and pensioners by the PDP-led state government, the party agents were accused of going from house to house, approaching voters who possessed PVC.

INEC’s preparation, which the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Abdulganiy Raji, had described as foolproof, failed some of the tests on the election day. Although election materials got to many of the polling units early, there were reports of the card readers failing to function properly.


Punch

Photos: APC EKITI Mega Rally: President Buhari Arrives Akure

President Muhammadu Buhari arrives Akure, received  by Ondo State Governor, HE, Gov. Akeredolu,  en route to Ekiti for APC Ekiti final gubernatorial campaign rally.
July 10, 2018. PHOTOS:📸#NguherZaki

2019 elections may not hold, PDP chairman warns

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, on Wednesday in Abuja, warns that the 2019 general elections may not hold if the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State is rigged.

He said the election must be free, fair and credible.

Secondus spoke at the national secretariat of the party while playing host to the Forum of PDP Local Government Chairmen who had paid him a courtesy visit.

He said the PDP would do everything within the law to win the 2019 presidential election to “save Nigerians from the All Progressives Congress-inflicted hardship.”

He also charged members of the forum to work hard to reposition the party in their respective domains, just as he assured them that the party under his stewardship was committed to free, fair and credible polls.

He said, “It is no longer business as usual at Wadata as the party has decentralised power to the grassroots to strengthen the party in readiness for the 2019 polls.

“To guard against corrupting party officials in the future, the National Working Committee would not assign hungry people on its assignments at whatever level.

“We have warned them not to rig the Ekiti governorship election because there will be a crisis. There may be no election in 2019 if Ekiti election is rigged.

“We won’t post persons who are hungry on party’s assignments; people who are looking for money. We have resolved here at Wadata that no one can change positions or names of people that have won elections. That was in the past.”

Source: Punch

Gov. Ambode appointed as Chairman of Southern Governors Forum (SGF) in Lagos

.Southern Governors unite on true federalism, devolution of powers

…To collaborate on security, infrastructure, economy

For the first time in 12 years, Governors of the Southern States of Nigeria on Monday met in Lagos, where they unanimously reiterated the call for true federalism and devolution of powers to States.

The Governors, in a communique at the end of the meeting read by the host Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, also resolved to collaborate with one another for the growth and development of their economies.

Aside Governor Ambode, the meeting was attended by Governors of Ogun, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Oyo, Seantor Abiola Ajimobi; Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Ebonyi, David Umahi; Edo, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Ondo, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; Abia, Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu; Enugu, Mr. Henry Ugwuanyi; Bayelsa, Mr. Seriaki Dickson and Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

Governors of Cross River, Anambra and Delta were represented by their Deputies - Mr. Evara Esu; Dr. Ikem Okeke and Mr. Kingsley Otuaru respectively.

Continuing with the communique, Governor Ambode said the Governors after extensive deliberations, also emphasized priority on security and lives and property of citizens of the regions, while also resolving to work on effective linkage on good infrastructure across the 17 States in the region.

At the meeting, Governor Ambode was unanimously appointed as the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum (SGF) while Governors Seriaki Dickson of Bayelsa and David Umahi of Ebonyi States were appointed as Co- Chairmen of the Forum.
The Forum also scheduled the next meeting for Port Harcourt in a yet to be announced date.

Earlier, Governor Ambode, while welcoming his colleagues to the meeting, reflected on the clamour for true federalism and devolution of powers, saying that states will benefit from the envisaged restructuring.

He said the goals of true federalism, which included the strengthening of autonomy and the enhancement of fiscal viability will enable the states to develop at their own pace and based on their peculiarities.

He said the forum had achieved an increased awareness on the sustenance of the national question germane to peaceful co-existence in the country.

However, he said there is a lot to be done and achieved, stressing that true federalism required urgent, meticulous and proactive attention by the forum.

Ambode frowned at what he described as the non-periodic review of the revenue formula as provided by the constitution to reflect evolving realities.

He said the review is crucial to enhance the viability of states and local government and their capacity to fulfil their developmental roles in the polity.

The governor added: “States are disparaged for always carrying begging bowls to Abuja in quest of hand-outs from the Federal Government. This is a function of our present national constitution that burdens the Federal Government with activities and responsibilities that rightly fall within the province of states.

“The productivity and revenue-generating capacities of most states are thus stifled, thus turning them into no better than street beggar states incapable of even meeting routine obligations of paying workers’ salaries and pensions without federal support.”

Ambode recalled that Lagos State had fought and won several legal battles since 1999 that have systematically strengthened her autonomy and enhanced her fiscal viability.

He noted that the state had won the legal control over the management of its environment, the control of urban and physical planning, the regulation of overhead masts, the registration and regulation of hotels and restaurants, and the control of inland waterways.

Ambode said these victories belonged, not only to Lagos, but also to other states, adding that, if Lagos could achieve so much by fighting alone, the Southern Governors’ Forum will accomplish more through collective planning and strategy.
The governor said the forum has been reactivated at the time the National Assembly is harmonising its differences over the 1999 Constitution amendment, which will soon be transmitted to the Houses of Assembly for approval

He said: “It is important for this forum to comprehensively look at the proposed amendments with a view to working with our respective Houses of Assembly to ensure a coordinated response on our part that will strengthen the practice of democracy, federalism, constitutionalism and the rule of law.
Ambode clarified that, while pushing for greater devolution of powers, responsibilities and resources from the centre to the states, the goal of the forum is neither to a weak centre and strong states and vice versa.

The governor paid tribute to former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu for his initiave, recalling that he hosted the first meeting of the forum in Akodo Beach Resort, Ibeju-Lekki, whe he was at the helm of affairs.

He said while the initiative was received with mixed feelings at the time, Tinubu was vindicated later because of its achievements as the forum became a vocal voice on maters of critical importance, not only to the Southern Nigeria, but to the country as a whole.

Ambode hailed the forum for advocating for a special allocation to oil-producing states in the Federation Account, adding that its agitation led to the current 13 per cent revenue derivation and allocation from the Federation Account.

He said: “Another major victory won towards strengthening the country’s practice of true federalism was the declaration by the Supreme Court in 2002 that the then prevalent practice of the Federal Government deducting monies from the Federation Account as a first charge for the funding of Joint Venture Contracts, the NNPC priority projects, servicing of Federal Government’s external debt, the judiciary and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other federal obligations were illegal and unconstitutional.

“The Supreme Court in that case abolished the special funds created by the Federal Government to enable it draw funds from the Federation Account to pay for matters that fell within its exclusive responsibility before sharing whatever was left with states and local governments.”