…As gov declares he’ll run for presidency in 2019
…Buhari has failed Nigerians, he declares
From: WOLE BALOGUN, Ado-Ekiti
A pro-Fayose rally to signal the continuity agenda of Governor Ayodele Fayose in Ekiti State, in 2018, on Wednesday, shut down Ado-Ekiti, capital city of Ekiti State.
Women and men from all walks of life, artisans, civil servants, Okada riders, drivers, mechanics, market women, students, youths, old and young and even the crippled and others with several disabilities joined the governor to march through the capital city.
They were clad in several campaign attires with had several inscriptions such as ‘Fayose leads, we follow, ‘, support continuity, 2018, Fayose witness and
The mammoth crowd who displayed their voters’ cards, sang songs and danced profusely in the hot sun t in support of a man they believe in.
The huge turn-out was as a result of an earlier successful grassroot mobilisation of the people ahead of the 2018 gubernatorial poll several months ago.
The grassroots mobilisation, tagged ‘Oshoko Mass Movement’ (OMM) had began a mass recruitment of 10,000 Ekiti people from each of the the 15 Local Government Areas of the state.
A standby music band which was part of the rally provided sweet songs in appreciation to the public as the crowd marched through the city.
Fayose. the rally from his campaign office named Oshoko political institute inside the government house. He addressed the crowd after launching the office.
“We are holding this rally to show the opposition that the people of Ekiti are on our side. The era of rigging and money bag politics is gone. We have defeated them in June 2014 but they said it was the military that won the election
The seat of power in Aso-Rock, will change from APC to PDP in 2019. Today we are celebrating the victory of light over darkness in June 21, 2014. On that day, the power of the people prevails over those of them in power. You spoke in one voice and had me elected to turn around your fortunes. Today, you are living witnesses to the difference in our government. ”
Taking a critical swipe at the APC led President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, Fayose described the FG as anti-Ekiti, accusing it
of budgeting no project for the state in the 2017 appropriation law.
He said, the people of the state will revolt against the APC during the 2018 governorship poll slated for 2018 because of his poor performance in government and its insensitivity to the plights of Ekiti populace.
He also accused the FG of sweeping under the carpet, the panel set up to try many of the APC’s cronies. He was referring to the one constituted to probe the suspended Secretary to
the Federal Government, Mr Babachir David Lawal over allegation of multimillion contract relating to the welfare of the Internally Displaced People of the Northeast.
Today, I am here to appreciate all of you and remind you that they
said that the 16-0 of 2014 of was photochromic and later militarized
election. This time, they are the owners of INEC, Army, Police, Civil
Defense, DSS and others; we should make it expressly clear that
despite these machineries in their hands, we can defeat them like we
did in 2014, if not more,” he said.
He assured that he will leave no stone unturned to make Ekiti a better
place for all, adding that; “Also, by the grace of God, I will not
leave this state a debtor of salary.”
The governor urged Nigerians as well as the international community to
pay greater attention to Ekiti State in regard to activities before,
during and after the 2018 governorship election, saying; “The 2018
election in Ekiti is one election that everyone should be interested
- The whole world should monitor events before, during and after the
election and let whoever that will win the election win in a free and
fair atmosphere.”
He said; “Currently, I am in court to seek redress for the coup-de-tat
of 2006 by the declaration of State of Emergency by the civilian junta
of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. It is my belief that the court that
granted me the relief that the impeachment was a nullity will equally
restore justice by establishing the fact that I deserve another
tenure.
“Nevertheless, whether the continuity is by Ayo Fayose or any member
of his political family, it is still continuity, which I have asked
you to support.”
Berating the APC, Governor Fayose said; “Those who trade in lies and
propaganda daily are in control of the federal government and as at
today, is there anything that they have done for us here in Ekiti? The
answer is No!
“We have a representative in the federal executive council and we have
someone who is working with the Acting President. But they are
self-seekers who do not believe in the Ekiti project. They were the
people, who during their four years reign here plunged our state into
debt and destroyed the economy of the State. They made our State to be indebted till year 2036 by their maladministration.
“Two Years in office, they can not point to a single benefit derived
from their government by Ekiti State.
“We are therefore saying never again to these looters, financial
devourers and enemies of our State who only believe in themselves and
not in the progress of our State.”
He said Nigerians should note that since he took over the mantle of
leadership of Ekiti state, no politically motivated attack or violence
had been witnessed and no life had been lost to political violence in
Ekiti State.
“I wish to state that as we approach the 2018 election, this
continuity that seek will not be at the expense of the blood of any
Ekiti person,” he said.
“If I have my way, I will call for an election today for Nigerians and the international community to see that anytime, any day, APC will be roundly defeated here,” he said further.
Going down memory lane, the governor said; “Today marks the third year
anniversary as my election. You will recall that I was recalled by
what can be likened to a civilian coup-de-tat on October 16, 2006. But
on this day, June 21, 2014, you overwhelmingly re-elected me as your
governor.
“Despite the fact the incumbent governor then, Dr Kayode Fayemi
accepted defeat and congratulated me for winning the election, he
later reneged, having been prevailed upon and deceived by a few who
obviously could not comprehend their loss of power in the State.
“However, the sacred mandate of the people of Ekiti could not be
snatched in spite of the strategy of the wicked who attempted what has
never been done in the political history of Nigeria by trying to
prevent me from being sworn-in.
“To the glory of God, I was sworn-in and again, in their dubious
manner, they attempted to take the mandate through the backdoor by
plotting my impeachment even when I had not spent one month in office. I thank Ekiti people for resisting another civilian coup in the State
at the risk of their lives.
“Today, despite the way and manner they wrecked the economy of the
State; we have been able to chart a new path for the development of
our state. This can be seen in the physical developments witnessed in
the state since we assumed office.
“Ekiti people can all see the flyover bridge ongoing in Ado-Ekiti, the
dualised Awedele-Basiri road, Onala-Opopogbooro-Afao road, the
dualised roads in most of the Local Government areas, the ongoing Oja
Oba Market in Ado Ekiti, the ongoing Adebayo-Ori Apata-Nova road, the Ado-Ikere road, most federal roads that have been rehabilitated
especially the Ita Awure-Erio-Aramoko-Igede-Iyin-Ado road and the
transformation of the Ewi’s palace among others.
Today, Ekiti State has regained its lost glory in Education by coming
first in the NECO.
“We want to assure you that we will leave no stone unturned to make Ekiti a better place for all. Also, by the grace of God, I will not leave this state a debtor of salary.
“They thought by now that this government would have failed. But by your support, we have gotten this far, by His grace.
“I want to appeal to all of you to take a cue from what is happening
in a number state where they have made succession possible, which has translated to meaningful developments.
“If you recalled, I told you that I will come back despite the
circumstances of my removal then. With your support, I returned to
office, making me the first Ekiti person to win election as governor
and defeat incumbents twice.
“Like I said to you, if we all stay together, in another four years
after my tenure; we will make Ekiti better than it is now.”
He called for restructuring of Nigeria, saying; “No peace without
justice and the agitation across the country will continue unless
there is justice, equity and fairness.”