Fayose asked us to support Fayemi – Ekiti PDP Assembly members

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members from the Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday said that it was the immediate past governor of the State, Mr Ayodele Fayose that directed them to support Governor Kayode Fayemi in the interest of Ekiti.


This is just as they denied that they have decamped to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

They made the disclosure yesterday when the Deputy Speaker, Mr Adewumi Olusegun briefed newsmen in Ado Ekiti on behalf of other caucus members.


He said, “We remain committed members of the PDP as against insinuation in some quarters that we have decamped to APC.

“We make bold to say that our support for the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi was at the instance of the outgone Governor Ayodele Fayose who directed that we should co-operate with the governor elect then in the interest of Ekiti State.

“It was on this premise of the advice that we acted, because Ekiti agenda is bigger than any individual or political party.”


Olusegun said that Senator Olujimi is the most eminently qualified at the moment to be in the leadership position as the highest political office holder presently in the state.

He described those having different opinion as “mischievous, lazy and political jobbers as there is no contest about the leadership of the party since the position is not contested for but earned.”

Olusegun described the House of Reps members in Ekiti as ‘yes men who are not capable of having opinion of their own’.

The lawmakers declared that Tope Aluko, the erstwhile secretary of the party in the state, remained a bonafide member of the PDP and was not at any time expelled.

DailyPost

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

Just In:Fayose announces arrival at EFCC office

FTwGoPintLin

The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Tuesday announced his arrival at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja.

Fayose made this known on his Twitter handle @GovAyoFayose.

He posted a picture of himself wearing a customized T-shirt with the inscription “EFCC I’m Here”

He said: “I’m now in the custody of EFCC. While I’m here, my media aide, @OlayinkaLere will operate this twitter handle.”

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 .

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

Today's Headlines

*AgegePulse * .. The mouthpiece of Agege/Orile Agege
Headlines Today* [Mon-20-Nov-2017]*

Lagos to get 24/7 power supply in 2018 Ambode

Lagos Speaker, Obasa, Other Dignitaries Felicitate with Alake of Egbaland on his 12th Coronation Anniversary.

Lagos APC leaders urge members to embrace unity

Residents of Orile want Hon. JS Babatunde to fix Amoo Road

Orile-Agege LCDA gets infrastructural boost

Fire guts Ayobo Garage, Agege.. As Egunjobi visits scene to console victims

Agege Hip Hop Stars, Small Doctor, Junior Boy, MC SureBoy, others show love to fans

RenewElephant Cup: Sarafina FC first to qualify for Q/Final

LASG seeks cooperation, promises to compensate property owners


*Punch Newspaper*

PDP chair: Fayose seeks shadow election for S'West aspirants


Lamidos group dismisses Buharis govt as disaster

Prof. Olunloyo dies at 74

FG has abandoned Bayelsa, says Dickson

PDP, Buhari congratulate Jonathan at 60

Defiant Mugabe says hell preside over party congress in Dec

Obaze rejects Obianos victory in Anambra governorship poll

BVN: Banks frustrating anti-corruption war, FG, AGF tell court


LASG seeks cooperation, promises to compensate property owners

FG hails global endorsement of Nigerias anti-terrorism fight

Lions Club, friends raise funds for Olusola Dada Dialysis Centre

Ogun monarch laments attacks by herdsmen

French police officer kills three before committing suicide

Wasteful oil search in the North


Southern senators to hold confab on restructuring

Anambra defeat: Makarfi brought ill-luck to PDP, says Kashamu


*Vanguard Newspaper*
Buhari, APC felicitate with Jonathan at 60

PDP chairmanship: Fayose calls for shadow election among S-West aspirants

Human trafficking, Illegal migration, threat to national security ' Saraki

Anambra election: Obaze rejects results as INEC declares Obiano winner

SSANU raps FG's stance on workers'welfare

Delta LG polls: PDP flags off campaign

How we uncovered 40 illegal refineries in Edo, by CP Kokumo

IVF, solution to infertility problems 'Oyetunji

CDS warns new naval ratings against support for secession

Why Africa must copy China's industrialisation drive by IGU

NGO hails Anambrarians, police, others on violence free poll

Save Imo courts from total collapse ' Chief Judge

Nigeria exports $9.7m, earns N69bn from solid minerals ' NEITI

Apapa gridlock worsens, Ambode's taskforce yet to take off

AWARD: Ambode accepts Transparency Nigeria's nomination

The only way N-Delta can enjoy its oil wealth is to join APC ' Ojougboh

Why I didn't implement 2014 Confab report ' Jonathan

2018: Joining APC is like leaving Jesus Christ for satan ' Fayose


*The Nation Newspaper*
BVN: Govt accuses CBN, banks of shielding rogues

Mugabe adamant

Wife stabs son of ex-PDP chair Bello to death over text messages

Obiano re-elected Anambra governor

Fayose: aspirants for chairman must unite

Aisha Buhari honoured in Morocco

Woman in court for alleged stealing fraud

Boy jailed for defiling minor

My husband tied me to tree

Agent in trouble

ASUP strike shutdown Delta polytechnics

CFAO inaugurates assembly plant

Equities lose N144b as investors await CBN decisions

Unsafe executive acts on the roads

Govt needs to address harmful regulations to enhance growth

Tranex N238.6m rights issue records 90.5% subscription

Kia begins healthcare centre's renovation

NNPC: crude-for-product arrangement on course


*Thisday Newspaper*
APGA's Victory Maintains NationalBalance of Power Ahead of 2019

As MPC Meets, Marginal Drop in Inflation May Delay Interest Rate Cut

Mugabe Refuses to Resign, Risks Impeachment

Why I Didn't Implement 2014 Confab Report

Buhari, PDP Congratulate Jonathan at 60

Ex-PDP National Chairman's Son, Allegedly Stabbed to Death By Wife

Ibrahim: Governance Remains Poor in Africa

SERAP, Pensioners Seek ECOWAS Court Intervention over Unpaid Pensions, Salaries

Lagos to Concession 10-Lane Okokomaiko-Seme Border Road Project

Glo, Airtel, Dangote, Seven Others Advance to Final Stage in 9mobile...

Afrinvest Launches Affordable Investment Option for Nigeria

Aregbesolas Senatorial Aspiration Tears Lagos APC Apart

Kwara LG Poll: Protest Trails Election Outcome

PDP in Dire Straits

Buharis Silent Support for the South-east

Yakubu Gowon in Retrospect

Quadri, Adekuoroye Dominate 2017 Nigerian Sports Award

MTN Sponsors First-of-its-Kind Kiddies Mini-marathon

Ambode, Udom, Fayose, Osinbajo’s wife extol virtues of women in nation building

…We’ve Empowered 2,613 Female Entrepreneurs With N2.1bn, Says Lagos Gov

…Speak Out Against Genital Mutilation, Child Abuse, Ambode’s Wife Urges Women

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and his counterparts from Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel; Edo, Godwin Obaseki; Bayelsa; Seriaki Dickson and Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose on Tuesday commended the sterling contributions of women to the society, stating that their role in nation building cannot be overemphasized.

The Governors, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 17th National Women Conference, organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, with the theme: ‘She Creates, She Transforms’, took turns to celebrate the doggedness, dexterity and creativity of women and their notable contributions towards building a better society.

In his goodwill message, Governor Ambode saluted the resilience of women in their different spheres, noting that women are naturally gifted with skills and talents that make positive difference and impact on their generation.

“Our women are constantly creative; making something out of nothing. Creativity has become very essential to succeed in today’s world because we face new challenges everyday – at home and at work. As the woman creates and transforms, she positively impacts the family, the workplace and the nation.

“With the female population in our country today, it is clear that our women have the capacity to positively affect the Nigerian economy and are already doing so.

What is required is a deliberate and articulated policy to support female entrepreneurs and MSMEs. And from my experience, female entrepreneurs are outstanding business people who are very creative and hardworking. If you want a job done properly and delivered on time, give it to a woman,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the Conference, aside celebrating the resilient and dynamic nature of women under diverse situations, would go a long way to unleash the creative and transformative energies of more women.

Governor Ambode while restating his administration’s commitment to supporting female entrepreneurs, disclosed that as at September 2017, at least 2,613 female entrepreneurs who run Medium and Small Scale businesses have been funded through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund to the tune of N2.1bn, assuring that more would be given before the end of the year.

The Governor also congratulated the first female mechanic, Sandra Aguebor, who was presented with the Inspirational Woman of the year Award, saying that she had dared to succeed in a career many see as a sole reserve for men.

On his part, Governor Emmanuel, who was Guest of Honour commended COWLSO Chairman and Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode for sustaining and improving the COWLSO conference which started 17 years ago, saying that there was need for women as liberator of the world to be appreciated by every man for their contributions to development at all times.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s conference, Emmanuel charged women to live their lives by creating and transforming people and things around them without minding the shortcomings, adding that it was important for them to keep hope alive.

Also, Governor Dickson of Bayelsa State said the role of women in transforming life could not be under estimated, saying that it was imperative for women to always be appreciated and celebrated.

Dickson and his counterpart in Edo State, Mr. Obaseki both commended Lagos State for the initiative, saying that they would replicate same in their states for the benefit of women.

On his part, Governor Fayose said life without women would be full of crises, saying that it was important for women to be given opportunity to be in the drivers’ seat in the country.

In her welcome address, Mrs. Ambode particularly charged women to speak up against the barbaric practice of female genital mutilation, saying that the campaign must start from the home front, churches, mosques, offices and the communities.

"Female genital mutilation is evil, it is wicked, it is anti-social and unjustifiable. Infact, it is a crime against women. We must devote time for enlightenment and awareness especially among uneducated mothers. We must stand together against it, until the practice is totally eradicated in our country and the world".

She also urged woman to resist the temptation of pursuing economic empowerment at the expense of taking good care and paying attention to their children, stressing that children who do not enjoy parental care, easily grow to become potentially dangerous youths and threatening the peace of the society.

"The rising trend of leaving the girl-child entirely in the care of housemaids, neighbours or strangers in pursuit of income or for flimsy reasons, should be discouraged.

"We must desist from and discourage child-labour, child-abuse and fight child trafficking with all our strength. We owe it a duty to give good parenting to our children and indeed all other children put in our care. We must give them hope and allow them see the positive side of life, as a way of bringing back good morals and societal stability," Mrs Ambode said.

In her keynote address, the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo urged women to work hard to transform their children and wards into greatness and create a safe and secured society by inculcating the right virtues in their children.

She particularly urged the womenfolk to draw inspiration from women who had performed creditably well in their chosen profession, and endeavor to leave their footprints on the sands of time, just as she said that women must speak up against rape and all forms of abuse against women and children, and also speak in defence of the downtrodden and less-privileged in the society.

 Highlight of the event was the presentation of the Inspirational Woman Award to the first female mechanic in Nigeria, Mrs. Sandra Aguebor by Mrs. Osinbajo and the unveiling and beautiful rendition of the COWLSO anthem.