₦airaland Forum

Manufacturers Contemplate Exit As Production Cost Rises By Over 50%

If the proposed common passport by the African Union (AU) becomes a reality, Nigeria may experience another round of exodus of industrial firms to neighbouring countries where the cost of production is cheaper.

Specifically, manufacturers decried the rising cost of production, noting that overhead cost incurred in providing alternative infrastructure like power is becoming unbearable for large and small-scale industrial firms who do not have capacity to invest in gas generators.

With the Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), known as diesel, which used to sell between N110 to N130 per litre, now selling for N200 per litre, manufacturers note that the cost of sustaining businesses through what should be an alternative power supply is becoming unbearable.

Similarly, capacity utilisation in the nation’s manufacturing sector continued to drop from its low record of about 50 per cent following poor gas supply to industrial layouts from Transmission Company of Nigeria.
Indeed, the power sector in the last few weeks had been at the mercy of militants who blew up gas facilities and further jeopardised the Federal Government’s plan to add another 6000 Mega Watts (MW) by July.

Many industrial firms, especially those operating in the food, beverages and conglomerates sub-sector had about a decade ago, relocated to Ghana after being offered incentives like 15-year tax holiday, free land and other policy initiatives which would drive their businesses.

With African Union pursuing a path of closer integration through the launch of a common passport that will grant visa-free access to all 54-member states as well as rising cost of power, the manufacturers noted that the integration decision may see Nigerian firms exploring manufacturing opportunities in other countries.

President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Jacobs in a chat with The Guardian, noted that the proposed union will facilitate free movement of persons, goods and services around the continent, thus fostering intra-Africa trade, integration and socio-economic development.

According to him, the deal is good for the productive sector that is presently troubled due to various challenges in the operating environment.

“The absence of conducive manufacturing environment and basic infrastructure would continue to draw back the sector, except something urgent is done to reverse the situation. Power is a major cost for manufacturers and they will explore opportunities where it is cheaper to produce their goods.

“Conversion of diesel generators to gas is a viable alternative but it is not cheap for small scale industries, while gas supply has equally be hampered by continued destruction of oil and gas facilities by militants,” Jacobs added.

Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Muda Yusuf noted that businesses are being killed everyday through poor power supply and low purchasing power from consumers.

According to him, many manufacturers are wary of the economic integration agenda as it takes a highly competitive environment to survive in an integrated economy.

“Businesses are complaining. Petrol and diesel costs are unbearable at the current rates. It is a suffocating situation and I hope the issues of ease of doing business are addressed before opening markets to other economies,” he added.

The World Bank had in its latest report on the ease of doing business ranked Nigeria low among other countries.

Nigeria, the World Bank observed, presently ranks 169 out of 189 countries examined for trade index for the year 2015.

Similarly, a recent United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) review of the agricultural situation in Benin, showed that: “Benin serves as a delivery corridor for West Africa, reaching more than 100 million people in the landlocked countries of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and the Northern states of Nigeria.”
USDA observed: “Benin’s relatively efficient port services and liberal trade policies mean it is an important cog in the regional trade flows to nearby countries.”

The report noted that improvements in the country’s port operations as well as some small improvements in the ease of doing business over the past years aided the flow of imports in the country.

Seen is believing

Senility in Oyegun and bubu Buhari

An ingrate. We suffered in the hands of APC thugs during Oni's regime and on the day day of Appeal judgement in Ilorin, Kwara state in the hand of Jaruu. We are nearly linch by God save us.

Oni can be blabbing on Adaba.

This and many more reason will not let me have respect for Segun Oni.

I know what we went through in Ilorin, Kwara state in the hand of APC thugs even on our way back to Ekiti State.

Segun Oni is an ingrate that loves himself alone.

#Segun Oni and his Adaba Radio diatribe: My Take#

I was so busy yesterday that I couldn't give a drop of my time to the interview of my former boss and ex governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni on ADABA RADIO, Akure.

I heard he called Gov Fayose all kinds on names and I am not surprised Oga Segun Oni has been infected with the APC Double-mouthed Syndrome (ADS).

I still remember Oga Segun Oni calling Dr Kayode Fayemi a THIEF and saying that he will rot in jail. Oga Segun Oni even propelled us then to form pressure groups against Fayemi to expose his (Fayemi ) looting of Ekiti State through various means, including printing and sharing of pamphlets.

When Fayemi scrapped the University of Science and Technology, Ifaki Ekiti (USTI), Oga Segun Oni was so bittered that he rained abuses on Fayemi.

Oga Segun Oni called Fayemi a THIEF that should rot in JAIL, the same Fayemi and Oni are now friends politically.

Fayemi too said Oga Segun Oni should be in JAIL for being Ekiti State Governor ILLEGALLY and went on to remove Oni's PICTURES from the Governor's Office. He (Fayemi ) insisted that Oni must not be addressed as FORMER GOVERNOR of Ekiti State and even stopped the IFAKI DAY 2012 advert on EKTV and EKITI RADIO because Oni was addressed as former Governor.

It was this same Fayose that restored Oga Segun Oni's dignity and benefits as a former Governor.

When Gov Fayose was to return to the PDP, I still remember him coming to Oni's Ifaki Ekiti residence and on one of such visits, Fayose personally served himself food from Oni's kitchen.

I guess when Fayose was entering Oga Segun Oni's kitchen then, he was not a thief.

Also, in 2009 during the rerun governorship election between Oni and Fayemi, APC leaders (then Action Congress ), including Fayemi placed newspaper adverts eulogicing Fayose on his birthday. Fayose was called A LEADER and FRIEND of the masses then.

If today, the same Fayemi who was always going to Fayose's Afao Ekiti country home now sees Fayose as something else, how can any sane mind take him (Fayemi) seriously?

If today, the same Oga Segun Oni that called Fayemi a thief that should rot in JAIL is now Fayemi's ally, should sane minds accord any respect to whatever he says against Fayose or any other person?

Oga Segun Oni no longer sees anything wrong in the stealing of N852.9m SUBEB money by Fayemi.

Oga Segun Oni does not see anything wrong in the billions of naira stolen through Fayemi's unexecuted Flowers Project.

He no longer sees anything wrong in the turning of Oodua Textile, Ado Ekiti to LOCKUP SHOPS. It is no longer his business where the machines in OODUA TEXTILE were taken to by Fayemi and his men.

Oga Segun Oni is now in support of Fayemi’s scrapping of USTI, a fledging university he sited in his hometown, Ifaki Ekiti.

To Oga Segun Oni, the commissioning of uncompleted Oba Adejugbe General Hospital, Ado Ekiti and the State Pavilion no longer make any meaning.

Most importantly, it is no longer wrong that Oga Segun Oni was manipulated out of office through the SALAMIC judgment and one wonders what he will do to those curses he rained on Justice Isa Salami when we were pursuing the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Supreme Court matters.

Lastly, the pains we, his supporters went through in hands of Fayemi and his men like Deji Adesokan (Jaruu) are no longer important.

I won't be surprised that Oga Segun Oni will one day call someone like Chief Dipo Anisulowo, who spent millions of naira (his hard earned money) on his election legal matters, a thief simply because he is now Fayose's Chief of Staff.

As for me, Oga Segun Oni is now speaking like typical APC members who will praise you when you are with them and abuse you the moment you leave their political fold.
#Dazzol


Lere Olayinka
July 9, 2016

Fayose: Buhari using corrupt EFCC to fight corruption, says; "EFCC should stop media trial"


Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has declared that President Mohammadu Buhari was using an equally corrupt Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stamp out corruption in Nigeria, insisting that the President must start the corruption fight from his party and immediate aides since charity begins from home.

The governor said; “EFCC opinions remain their opinions and if they are so sure of whatever information they have, they should go to court and stop subjecting Nigerians to media trial and that no amount of media trial from the same elements that orchestrated my removal in 2006 can erode my popularity among Ekiti people.”

He said any property that may be linked to him or his company was bought legitimately and his properties were duly declared in his assets declaration form and sources of such funds were not illicit.

In a release issued on Wednesday by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, maintained that his election was funded by Zenith Bank as well as donations from friends and associates, adding that; "As a promising candidate of my party, I cannot stop Nigerians from supporting my election like every other candidates of other political, including President Buhari."

He said since the money he got for his election was from legitimate sources and not from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as being concocted, how the money was spent remained his own business and not that of anyone.

The governor also debunked the reported allegation by the EFCC that he received bribe from any contractor in Ekiti; saying; "if they have anything against me, they should keep their gun powder dry.

"Because in 2006 when they took me to court, their allegations crumbled like pack of cards because court decisions are founded on facts and law, and not on media trial as currently being done by the EFCC as teleguided by the APC in their desperation to set the people against me knowing fully that they are not on ground."

He said "having failed to buy the conscience of Ekiti House of Assembly members, the APC people have become increasingly afraid of 2018 and that the agencies of the Federal Government should know that no matter how hard they try, Ekiti electorate will not be deceived by their blackmail and media trial.

Governor Fayose said “The EFCC should be told in clear terms that this is 2016 and not 2006 when impeachment notices against governors were signed on the table of EFCC operatives. Those who are teleguiding the EFCC now should also be reminded that they did more than what they are doing now in 2006, yet I was overwhelmingly voted for by the Ekiti people eight years after the orchestrated impeachment which the Supreme Court declared illegal."

The governor asked; "Should Nigerians now conclude that EFCC is an appendage of APC? Is the EFCC for investigation of corrupt practices among all Nigerians or members of opposition parties alone?"

The governor said; “As at today, I have not been accused of stealing a dime from Ekiti treasury. EFCC has not also said that Ekiti money was stolen and that my election was funded with Ekiti State money."

Accusing the EFCC of carrying out the APC agenda to force him out of office as was done in 2006, the governor said; “It is sad that some politicians from Ekiti State now resume and close in EFCC offices in Lagos and Abuja and we wonder whether those politicians have now taken over the job of EFCC.”

He maintained that he will continue to speak his mind on issues affecting Nigerians and can never be cowed, saying; "Nigerians are suffering. States can no longer pay workers salary, a litre of kerosene is now N220, a bag of rice is now N20,000 and some people will sit in Presidential Villa and expect that all of us should keep silent? That's not possible!

"No amount of media trial by agents of the Buhari-led APC government will make me to stop baring my mind on the cluelessness of the Federal Government."

Court faults forgery charge against Saraki, Ekweremadu


The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has faulted the two-count forgery charge the Federal Government slammed against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and two others.

The court, in a ruling by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, held that the charge which was endorsed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, constituted a gross abuse of judicial process.

FG had on June 27, docked Saraki and Ekweremadu before trial Justice Yusuf Halilu of an Abuja High Court at Jabi.

Those equally arraigned over the alleged forgery were former Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa and his deputy, Mr. Benedict Efeturi.

The defendants were alleged to have masterminded the usage of a bogus Senate Standing Rules for the July 9, 2015, election, through which both Saraki and Ekweremadu took over the leadership of the Senate.

FG maintained that the defendants had by their conduct, committed an offence punishable under Section 97 (1) and 364 of the Penal Code Act.

Meanwhile, ruling on a motion ex-parte filed by Senator Gilbert Emeka Nnaji, Justice Kolawole faulted the charge on the premise that it was initiated despite the pendency of a suit challenging the police report on the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rule 2015.

The court noted that both the AGF and the Inspector General of Police are not only defendants in the matter, but have also joined legal issues with plaintiff.

Senator Nnaji had approached the court to stop the implementation of the police report on the alleged forgery.

He had on July 23, 2015 instituted a civil action against the IGP and the AGF.

The plaintiff subsequently filed a motion ex-parte in which he asked for court order to stop the IGP and AGF from taking any step on the police report pending the determination of his originating summon and which the court partly granted.

Remarkably, Senator Othman Hunkuyi who wrote the petition that brought the police report had engaged Abubakar Malami SAN, then as a private lawyer, as one of his lawyers.

Malami was among the legal team that urged the court to join their client, Hunkuyi as a defendant in Nnaji’s suit.

Presently, the name of the AGF who is prosecuting the forgery charge before Justice Halilu, is still reflecting in Nnaji’s suit as one of the lawyers representing Hunkuyi before Justice Kolawole.

Meantime, further hearing on Nnaji’s suit has been adjourned till July 6.

Before adjourning the case, Justice Kolawole who was visibly irked by the action of the AGF, said he would have nullified and set-aside the forgery charge for being a gross abuse of court and legal process if it had been filed before his court.

Justice Kolawole said that the actions of the IGP and AGF whose offices were created by law, was in bad taste since he had earlier ordered parties not to do anything on the police report pending determination of the suit before him.

He held that the AGF, being a counsel on record before him, acted in bad faith.

“In coming to a decision, I take due cognisance of the defendants IGP and AGF as offices created by the constitution, 1999 as Amended.
“The 1st defendant (IGP) by virtue of section 215(a) of the constitution is a creation of the constitution and by virtue of section 215(2) of the constitution, shall command the Nigeria Police Force created by section 214(1).

“By reason of the provisions, it is not out of place, to describe the 1st defendant as the “Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the Federation”.

“The 2nd defendant (AGF) is a constitutional office created by section 150(1) of the constitution who the constitution describes as “The Chief Law Officer of the Federation”.

“The Plaintiff’s motion ex parte dated 23/6/16 is one that seeks restraining orders against these two (2) constitutional offices created by the constitution. Both are connected with law enforcement and by extension, due administration of justice.

“I say this with regard to the provision of section 174(1) – (3) of the constitution in relation to the constitutional powers of the 2nd defendant.

“Section 174(1): “The Attorney General of the Federation shall have power- “to take over and continue any such criminal proceedings that may have been instituted by any other authority or person; and to discontinue at any stage before judgment is delivered any such criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by him or any other authority or person.

“The criminal charge dated 10/6/16 attached as Exhibit “B” to the plaintiff’s motion ex pate is a criminal process filed on behalf of the 2nd defendant by D.E. Kaswe, Esq. who signed the said charge as a “Principal State Counsel” for “The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice” was listed as one of the leading Senior Advocates of Nigeria who filed the “motion of notice” attached as Exhibit “D” to the plaintiff’s ex parte application and it was an application by which Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, who until the learned Attorney-General of the Federation was appointed as the Minister of Justice, was his erstwhile client.

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“In the “list of witnesses and their addresses”, Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, who wrote the “Petition” to the 1st defendant on 30/6/15 – as the Secretary of “The Unity Forum” in the Senate is listed as No. 1 of the witnesses to be called by the state on the criminal charge dated 10/6/16 which was filed whilst the instant proceedings are still pending.

“When I read the provisions of section 174(1) – (3) of the constitution, as amended, I am not in any doubt, that by section (174(2) of the constitution, that D.E. Kaswe, Esq. who signed the criminal charge in Exhibit “B” as “principal state counsel” did so on the authority of the 2nd defendant.

“Having regard to these issues, I asked myself what is the appropriate order this court can make given these peculiar facts of the involvement of the current occupant of the office created by Section 150(1) of the constitution – who “doubled” as it were, as one of the leading Counsels to the “Petitioner”, Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi and fortuitously, was appointed by the President as the Minister of Justice?

“When I reflected on the Supreme Court’s decision in the State and Ilori, my view is that this court is somehow handicapped, in being able to query the 2nd defendant’s decision and the power he exercised pursuant to section 174(1)(a) of the constitution to initiate the criminal charge attached as Exhibit “B” to the Plaintiff’s “motion ex parte” as any issue which this court may raise as regards the propriety or otherwise of his doing so, will eventually, when shorn of all legal niceties, border on “moral considerations”.

“But, I am not in any doubt, that when the provision of section 174(3) of the constitution is carefully read and construed vis-à-vis the peculiar facts of this case, it may not be too far-fetched to reason that the filing of the said criminal charge in the long run, constitutes an “abuse of legal process” which is one of the “limiting considerations” to the exercise of the constitutional powers conferred on the 2nd defendant by virtue of section 174(1)(a) – (c) when read with its section 174(3) of constitution.

“Although, when this section is read communally with section 174(3), it is arguable that Section 174(1)(c) is to be read with the “need to prevent abuse of legal process” in section 174(3) of the constitution.

“The converse situation, which the drafters of the constitution, perhaps never envisaged appears to have occurred in this case as the 2nd defendant who is required, by section 174(3) of the constitution, to “discontinue at any stage before judgment is delivered on any such criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by him or any other authority or person” where such proceedings constitute “abuse of legal process”, is in fact the very person who initiated a criminal proceedings in a matter in which he had, as a private legal practitioner, acted for the one of the “interested” Senators who had petitioned the 1st defendant on 30/6/15.

“Regardless of whichever way it is looked at, I will still hold the view, that constitutional powers conferred on all persons and authorities, including arms and agencies of government are required to be exercised in good faith and where as in this instance, it relates to the institution of criminal proceedings, it must be seen to have been properly exercised strictly in “public interest”.

“But, having regard to the peculiar facts which I have analysed, the said criminal charge dated 10/6/16 and attached as exhibit “B” to the plaintiff’s “motion ex parte” dated 23/6/16, given the course of these proceedings as I had in detail, highlighted, can only be seen as one that constitutes an “abuse of legal process” to use the very words in section 174(3) of the constitution.

“In all of these facts and issues, having regard to the pendency of this suit in which the defendants have both filed processes, one question that did not cease to resonate in my thoughts is why this “desperate haste” to prefer the criminal indictments in exhibit “B” the investigation of which is at the heart of this suit and of the parallel suit in exhibit “E”, and which indictments, by law are not time barred as the substantive suit before this court, had by consent of both the Plaintiff’s Counsel and the 1st defendant’s Counsel, been scheduled for 6/7/16 for hearing.

“It is the event of the steps taken by the defendants in utter defiance of this pending suit, that in my view, unobtrusively betrayed the possible genuineness of the defendants’ intention and of the 2nd defendant’s motives as steps taken which are beyond serving the “public interest” by the commencement of a criminal trial in the FCT High Court in order to subvert the pending suits in the Federal High Court one of which has been fixed for 6/7/16.

“By the extant Supreme Court’s decisions, once a court comes to the decision that a particular process before it constitutes abuse of judicial or legal process, the appropriate orders it can make, is to put an end to the continuation of such proceeding.

“Do I proceed and make such order? I probably would have done so if the criminal charge dated 10/6/16 was pending before this court.

“But as it is, it is pending before my learned brother, the Hon. Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High court, which is a court of co-ordinate jurisdiction and who has become seized of the charge as at 21/6/16 when he adjourned it to 27/6/16 for the arraignment of the defendants listed in Exhibit “B” attached to the Plaintiff’s “Motion Ex parte”, Justice Kolawole held.

This and many more lies are the reasons I dislike SR.

Who is begging who here?

Fayose Vs Zenith Bank

The Latest information from Ekiti State says The Top management team of Zenith Bank Plc on Thursday evening came to beg the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, over the involvement of the bank in the funding of the June 21, 2014 governorship election of the governor.
Their visit to the governor followed a reported denial by the bank that it was not part of the funding of the election.
The team was led by an Executive Director identified as Shola.Oladipupo.

It also had two zonal directors of the bank and the Ado-Ekiti branch manager.
When accosted by newsmen, the ED said they only came to see the governor.
Asked whether the bank really dissociated itself from the claim by the governor that it was part of the funding of the election, Shola could only mutter some inaudible words.

He eventually said the spokesman for the bank was not on the team and could not say anything.
While commenting on the development, Governor Fayose said the bank officials came to beg him over the issue.

"They were begging me and that the matter should not go beyond this level. I asked them why did they go to the EFCC to tell lies. Why did they have to lie that money came from the Office of the National Security Adviser? If the money is for me why did they have to link with me what is not," he said.

See What Oshiomhole and APC Guber Candidate, Obaseki Were Caught Doing (Photos)

Wow, you won't believe what Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole and APC governorship aspirant, Godwin Obaseki were caught doing during a campaign.

The Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole and the Edo State governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Godwin Obaseki and many others were spotted eating corn while campaigning for the governorship election.


The group were on a visit to the market women to sell their campaign promises ahead of the September 10, 2016 governorship election in Edo State.

Press Statement

Freezing of Governor Ayodele Fayose’s personal Bank Account: President Buhari on a revenge mission

The Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been observing with dismay, the dangerous trend of politically motivated trials and tyrannical administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressive Congress (APC) demanding that the ruling Party must stop the witch-hunt in the interest of peace and stability of our Nation.
The Party in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 described the freezing of the personal account of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State as unlawful, undemocratic, autocratic, oppressive, draconian and to say the least, the height of desperation by the Buhari administration to cover up for its failure to deliver on his campaign promises to Nigerians.
Prince Dayo Adeyeye, a member of the PDP National Caretaker Committee who spoke to the media on behalf of the Party says the events in the Country in recent times has shown that President Buhari and the APC has no agenda for nation building but on a revenge mission. “This government is all out to silence any voice of the opposition”, he decried. Nigerians will recall that Chief Olisa Metuh, the former National Publicity Secretary of our great Party is today standing trial for receiving campaign funds and since his arrest and prosecution by the anti-graft agency, Chief Metuh could not challenge the APC government on policy issues until he left office.
Nigerians will also recall that one of the known opposition voice apart from some individuals and governors of our Party that has exposed the APC led administration for running the Country aground in the last one year is the former spokesman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, Chief Femi Fani Kayode; and he is now standing trial for receiving campaign funds from the Director of Finance of the Campaign. It’s now the turn of the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose who has been consistent in condemning the woes the APC government brought upon Nigerians and for remaining critical of the APC and President Buhari’s administration.
The Party condemned the freezing of Governor Fayose’s personal account and asked the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to free the bank account immediately saying that the action violates Section 308 of 1999 Constitution as a sitting Governor cannot stand trial until after office.
“President Buhari and his Party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) has introduced a dangerous trend in our polity and if this is not checked or curtailed immediately, Nigeria may be heading to an imperial-rule where the leader of the nation is a supreme ruler dictating who survives at the expense of Nigeria Constitution”.
The Party called on all well-meaning Nigerians and all stakeholders in the Nigerian project who are still alive to rise up to the occasion and call the APC government to order before President Buhari destroys our hard earned democracy.
Signed:
Prince Dayo Adeyeye
Member , PDP National Caretaker Committee

Halliburton scandal: If You Claim You Are Innocent, Travel to US – Fayose Dares Aisha Buhari

The Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose has challenged the wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari, to prove her innocence in the Halliburton scam by travelling to the United States, U.S.

Fayose had on Monday stated that the President’s wife was the person allegedly indicted by a US Court for transferring $170,000 to indicted US Congressman, Williams Jefferson, in the Halliburton scandal.

Though several sources including some media organizations said she was not the one implicated, Fayose insisted that Aisha Buhari had more to reveal than she had agreed to, stressing that, that was why she had refused to travel with her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari, on the three occasions he had visited the US since assuming power.

He added that rather than attend a conference to which she was invited, Hajia Buhari sent Toyin, the wife of the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Speaking in a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, on Wednesday, the Governor “challenged the president’s wife to visit the United States of America to convince Nigerians that she was not the Aisha Buhari mentioned in the judgment convicting William Jefferson.”

“It is on record that the President has visited USA three times and his wife did not travel with him. Equally, she ought to have visited USA last year September to chair a United Nations programme but she sent wife of the Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki to represent her,” the statement read in part.

‪#‎HypnotisedBunch‬!!!
Samuel Ajayi wrote:
I am asking this in all sincerity: has EFCC officially announced how much was in the Gov. Fayose's account that was frozen? If anyone has that news, I mean OFFICIALLY from EFCC, he should furnish me.
This is where political polarity has led us: when they say Aisha Buhari was involved in one scandal in US, you quickly dismissed it. You say wailers have come again. When they say one of the president's aides was caught with $1.5m, you also say they are lying. Corruption is fighting back. Don't even know what that means sef!
But when from that SAME our incredibly fertile rumour mill, you hear that N4billion was found in Fayose's account, you quickly believe it and take it as gospel truth; spreading shits as rumours. No need for confirmation or verification. It must be true!
What you believe is based on WHO is involved..... Chei..
Whoever did this to our psyche has a case to answer with God!

Fayose accuses FG of plot to harrass PDP leaders, associates with EFCC, Says; "My election not funded with govt fund"


Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has told the President Mohammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop harassing his government by threatening functionaries of the government with arrest and looking for how his election was funded, declaring that; "my election was not funded with public fund and President Buhari and his APC should also tell Nigerians how their own elections were funded."

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Governor Fayose said; "Certain top functionaries of the Ekiti State government and some important members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, and some associates of mine, have now been pencilled down for arrest and indefinite detention by the EFCC under the guise of investigating the funds spent by the PDP on the June 21, 2014 governorship election and the Presidential election."

He disclosed that "some politicians from Ekiti State, including an Ekiti born Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and self-professed human rights activist and a Special Adviser to the Vice President are involved in the plot being coordinated through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Attorney General of the Federation."

He said the game plan was to make those to be arrested get detained indefinitely, forced them to make statements incriminating him, while at the same time feeding the public with orchestrated fake reports, using their usual media organs.

The governor however advised those behind the plot "to keep their gun power dry and should not be in a hurry, but rather, wait till the end of my tenure in 2018."

He challenged the EFCC to tell Nigerians why it was silent on the many petitions submitted to it against APC leaders, especially former governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Full text of the address reads;
"I called you here to intimate the public through your various medium, the new clandestine plot by the President Mohammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Government to destabilise the Ekiti State Government, using the instrumentalities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

"Recall that a lot has been said about my election.  First they said it was photochromic and later militarization.  The election was challenged up to the supreme Court and I came out victorious. Remember too that international observers including the US Govt applauded the election.

"However, those who lost the election adjudged as free, fair and credible are yet to accept the will of God and the people of Ekiti State.

"A few days ago, we got it on good authority that there was a meeting with some politicians from Ekiti State, including an Ekiti born Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and self-professed human rights activist by agents of the Federal government, with the agenda solely, on how to bring down my administration as the governor of the state.

"Activities of these elements that are obviously afraid of facing another electoral defeat in 2018 are being coordinated through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal and the Attorney General of the Federation.

"Certain top functionaries of the Ekiti State government and some important members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, and some associates of mine, have now been pencilled down for arrest and indefinite detention by the EFCC under the guise of investigating the funds spent by the PDP on the June 21, 2014 governorship election and the Presidential election.

"The game plan is to make those to be arrested get detained indefinitely, forced to make statements incriminating me, while at the same time feeding the public with orchestrated fake reports, using their usual media organs.

"This is coming after their failure to use the Department of State Services (DSS) to coerce members of the State House of Assembly to buy into the impeachment plot against me with a view to silencing me being a  major voice of the opposition.

"The  plot to arrest and detain indefinitely my Chief of Staff, Chief Dipo Anisulowo and four honourable members of the state House of Assembly for treason.

"To achieve this sinister plot against the government and people of Ekiti State, we have been informed that some of their trusted allies in the EFCC have been mobilised to move to Ekiti any moment from now.

"I, however, wish to advice them to keep their gun power dry and should not be in a hurry, but rather, wait till the end of my tenure in 2018.

"As a man known to keeping  to his words,  I want to assure them  that I will be available to answer any of their questions, no matter how unreasonable.

"While we are not afraid of persecution from anyone or government agency, including the EFCC and DSS, I wish to state that the level at which the Buhari-led Federal Government is taking political vendetta and muzzling of opposition both in the PDP and within the APC, is dangerous to the survival of democracy in the country.

"Most importantly, Nigerians must begin to ask the EFCC what has happened to the several petitions  against APC leaders and financiers of President Buhari’s election, including former governors.

"For instance, on September 29, 2014, the EFCC received a petition against former governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi and other APC top-shots in Ekiti State.  In the petition written by a group; Save Ekiti Coalition, six major complaints bordering on fraudulent practices were made with various documents attached.

"Also, on March 11, 2016, a petition on the misappropriation of N852.9m fund belonging to the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) was received by the ICPC. The petition, which had various documents attached was written by an Abuja based group; Vanguard for Credible Representation.

"One of the documents attached to this petition was Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) letter dated April 16, 2015, with Reference Number; UBEC/FA/SUBEB/EK/183/Vol.II/162 in which the withdrawal of the sum of N852, 936,713.92 counterpart fund belonging to the Ekiti SUBEB by Fayemi and others was described as a criminal act,  that violated Section 11(2) of UBE Act 2004. It was also on the basis of this financial crime that UBEC suspended Ekiti State from accessing any further FGN-UBE Intervention Fund.

"In another letter written on September 11, 2015, with Ref. No. PB/894/5, to the EFCC, which was acknowledge urging the commission to investigate  all the various petitions submitted to it on the fraudulent acts perpetrated by the immediate past APC government in the State has not seen the light of the day but rather,  the EFCC is running after vocal opponents of the APC like me, Ayodele Fayose.

"I wish to state unequivocally, that no amount of intimidation, harassment, investigation, coercion, will make me stop speaking on behalf of the common who freely gave their mandate to the APC, who are now daily failing them.

"Furthermore, it is on record that on August 11, 2015, the EFCC came up with an investigation report on the bribery allegation against Yobe State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Habu Hinna Zarma.

"In its own report, the EFCC said N15 million was indeed deposited into the INEC REC Diamond Bank Plc (account number 0029126751) and Zenith Bank Plc (account number 1001127288) by the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Zakari Deba and one Bamaaji Mohammed Kukawa.

"Despite that as at April 8, 2015 that the N8 million was lodged into the INEC REC Diamond Bank account, only N28, 143.60 was in the account and the REC personally cashed N600, 000 on April 9, 2015, the EFCC only recommended the duo of ASP Zakari Deba (Yobe State Governor’s ADC) and Bamaaji Mohammed Kukawa for prosecution.

"It will however interest Nigerians that 10 months after, those that EFCC by its own investigations, recommended for prosecution are yet to be charged to court!.. isn't this interesting?

"Nigerians must therefore begin to ask the EFCC why it has refused to act on petitions against APC members. Why is EFCC only interested in how PDP funded its elections? Was the fund used for President Buhari’s election gotten from the spirit world? Is EFCC now for persecution of PDP members? Must everyone that is not in the APC be subject of EFCC harassment?

"Can Nigerians forget in a jiffy the activities of most people in the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari who ran their states aground in an effort to funding  president Muhammadu Buhari election.

"Please, can we ask the current government, who paid for all the chartered aircrafts used for the campaign, the payment for all logistics for the campaign?

"It is now obvious that the current government is all out to move against and silence all voices in the opposition.

"We have examples in the detention of Femi Fani-Kayode, the persecution of Olisa Metuh the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the PDP.

"Nigerians should also be reminded of the way and manner EFCC was ran when its present Chairman, Ibrahim Magu was the Head of Economic Governance Unit during the tenure of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. It was then that impeachment of governors was plotted, hatched and executed within the four walls of the EFCC.

"It is worthy of note that I was among the governors whose illegal  impeachment was orchestrated by the EFCC with the active connivance of Magu and the Ekiti SAN self acclaimed human right activists who is once again the coordinator of the current conspiracy against my person.

"I was unjustly arrested, humiliated and  incarcerated for  50 days both in EFCC cell and Ikoyi Prison over allegations of phoney poultry allegation that they could not prove in the law court at the long run as I was discharged and acquited.

"I just want to alert all Nigerians that they are at it again, but they will not succeed and I will not surrender nor lose my voice as a result of their harassment.

"I make bold to state that in the overall interest of democracy and well-being of Nigerians, I will continue to speak my mind on issues bordering on governance in Nigeria and I will not be intimidated!

"I have not heard in the history of election anywhere in the world where elections are conducted without funding.

"I wish to state that there was no government funding of my election, as my election was funded purely by the private sector and organised donations within and outside the party.

"The Buhari led administration should also be gracious enough to prove to all Nigerians that their election was not funded by public funds that has been linked to them, but which the EFCC is looking away.

"The current government should be mindful that what goes round comes round.

"Those who are presently in charge of the Federal Government should be mindful of the fact that we all own Nigeria together and all Nigerians cannot belong to the APC.

"As a government, we have been transparent in the running of Ekiti State, and for this, Ekiti State was rated as the Most Transparent State in Nigeria in terms of transparency in budgeting by Civil Resources Development Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) in conjunction with the British Department for International Development (DFID).

"Nigeria has gotten to a level where those of us holding powers should operate beyond politics and corruption fight should not be only about those who are not on the same page with the federal government.

"Rather, it should be inclusive of everyone, irrespective of political affiliation and must be done in accordance with the rule of law."

Some students of Baptist High School, Adeeke, Iwo caused a stir among their colleagues as they appeared in the school in choir robes and other church garments.

A Punch correspondent, who visited the school observed that the students came late to the school around 8:35 on Tuesday and headed to their various classes as their colleagues hailed them for their courage.

Many female Muslim students of the school wore hijab on their uniforms and some members of the Christian Association of Nigeria are in the school to monitor the reaction of the teachers to the mode of dressing of their children.

No student was chased out of the classes for appearing in different clothes and all the students irrespective of their chosen uniforms were being taught by their teachers.


Earlier, Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court had on June 3 given a verdict that Muslim students should be allowed to wear hijab in all public schools in the state because it was part of their fundamental rights.

The CAN had held an emergency meeting following the judgment and threatened that it would direct Christian pupils to start wearing choir robes and other religious garments to schools should the state government implement the judgement.

PDP CALLS BUHARI “AN UNREPENTANT TYRANT”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called President Muhammedu Buhari an unrepentant tyrant.



The party made this known Monday on it twitter handle @pdpnigeria





The party further said that the APC government does not know anything about democracy nor the rule of law.



“This is a government that does not know what democracy or rule of law means. The president is an unrepentant tyrant.”

Ekiti State Allocation from the Federation Account (May 2016)

1. Statutory Allocation - N1,210,511,781.51
2. VAT - N626,846,172.58
3. Recovered Excess Bank Charges - N9,989,368.69
4. Exchange Rate Gains - N13,572,036.54
TOTAL ALLOCATION - N1, 860,919,359.32

DEDUCTIONS
1. Foreign Loan N30,217,966,49
2. Contractual Obligation (ISPO) N397,196,808.00
3. Commercial Agric Credit Scheme N23,120,001.44
4. Bond Issuance - N102,458,000.01
5. NUWSR (Water Project) - N41,112,500.00
6. FG Salary Bailout - N86,405,567.03 (Not deducted)
7. Excess Crude Loan - N179,945,191.18 (Not deducted)
8. Commercial Bank Loan - N248,153,651.78 (Not deducted)
TOTAL DEDUCTION - N594, 105,275.94

NET ALLOCATION - N1, 266,814,083.38

Note:
1. Total sum of N514, 504,409.99 (FG Salary Bailout, Excess Crude Loan and Commercial Bank Loan) was not deducted from the May allocation as part of FG assistance for the States. Total deduction ought to have been N1, 108,609,685.93 and this would have left the State with N752, 309,673.39.

2. The Bailout Fund was taken to pay August and September, 2014 salary of workers (including political appointees) and May, June and July 2014 Cooperative and Unions Deductions that the APC govt of Dr Kayode Fayemi did not pay.

3. If Ekiti State was not plunged into debt by the APC govt of Dr Kayode Fayemi and no deduction was made from the allocation, the State would have received N1, 860,919,359.32 for the month of May, 2016!

4. Anyone or group with contrary information should supply it to the public.

The Greatest Danger To Southern Nigeria Are The Sai Barbarians [MUST READ]

Charles Ogbu explores the social online behaviour of Muhammadu Buhari’s supporters from southern Nigerians tagged Sai Barbarians by Dr. Omotoso. People who see and hear no evil in anything Buhari, but see all evil in fellow Southerners.




I am not a religious man but I believe the authors of the Bible had southern Nigeria in mind while penning down this verse, “the greatest enemies of a man are often from his own household,” in Matthew 10:36.
The greatest threat facing southern Nigeria is not Buhari and his Northernization agenda. It is not even the menace of the Fulani terrorists neither is it the activities of the Sai Barbarians (apologies to Dr. Omotoso ) or the Muslim mobs who kill at the slightest provocation in Northern Nigeria.
The biggest problem bedeviling southern Nigeria is the presence of a very large horde of unthinking politically correct idiots masquerading as intellectuals.
The greatest enemies of a man are often from his own household ~~Matthew 10:36
To this set of Sai Barbarians, also known as ‘efulefus’, Ekiti state governor was wrong in taking measures to protect his people by banning open grazing of cattle in his state but they will never condemn their slave masters up North for banning sale of alcohol even when they receive the lion-share from the revenue generated from that alcohol sales in the country.
“Niger Delta Avengers are criminals”, “government should not negotiate with them”, they argue. But these clowns will maintain sealed lips when you remind them that the Fulani President Buhari has budgeted one billion naira for grazing reserve for the world’s fourth deadliest terror group the Fulani herdsmen and another billions for the deadliest terror group – Boko Haram.



These two terrorist groups both share the same religion and ancestry with President Buhari and are responsible for the death of thousands of Nigerians and displacement of millions. Today, they are being rewarded rather than punished for their heinous crimes.
But to this efulefu Southerners, a group of Niger Delta boys using violence (which is the only language the Nigeria state understands) to demand for resource control is the biggest threat facing this country. Nonsense!!
Why should Niger Delta oil money be used to fund the private cattle rearing business of Buhari brothers even when nothing was allocated for the victims of their mindless bloodletting nor was any incentive like fertilizer subsidy provided for farmers whose crops and lands have all been destroyed by the Fulani herdsmen?
Which injustice could be worse than this?
The politically correct southern idiots will evade this and concentrate on IPOB and the NDA. How do I begin to explain to them that it is grave acts of injustice such as these that gave rise to agitation by the Avengers and IPOB in the first place?
As I type this, there is a very comprehensive report released by human rights group, Intersociety, and published on The Trent detailing cases of murder of hundreds of IPOB and MASSOB members by uniformed thugs masquerading as Nigeria security agents. These southern traitors will never go anywhere near that report. They will pretend they never saw it, or the abridged version on Premium Times, or the confirming report on Amnesty International. But the moment they hear that an IPOB guy attacked a policeman, they will come out from their witch coven and regale us with tales of how the Biafra agitators were responsible for the 1st world war. Idiots!
These are the idiots who hailed a judge for refusing to grant Olisa Metuh’s request to go treat his spinal cord problem abroad but found nothing wrong in another judge granting a Fulani man from Sokoto, a former Governor Attahiru Baffarawa’s request to go spend one month abroad for prayers.
Ask this set of morons who the sponsors of the Niger Delta Avengers are and they will quickly point accusing fingers at Southern politicians. Meanwhile, they never believed that the political wing of Boko Haram was created and financed by northern elements to wrestle political power from the south.
When Northerners were harboring Boko Haram suspects, these guys were advising the military to work to earn their trust rather than use force but today, these same shameless bunch are clapping for the military as they continue to arrest, detain, and humiliate Niger Delta royal fathers in their quest to arrest members of the Niger Delta Avengers.
This is the same group that justified the murder of unarmed IPOB guys praying inside the school field of Ngwa high school in Abia state on February 9, 2016. They argued that the dead guys were miscreants and as such, they deserve death. I have names of two of my Facebook friends who specifically used this line.
Quite frankly, I am more comfortable having dangerous reptiles around me than these set of guys. With dangerous reptiles, I know I would be fine so long as I don’t step on them or threaten them in any way but with these guys around, I am really not sure of anything.
I’m sure you guys won’t believe this but trust me, some of these zombified southerners will gladly clap for Buhari even if he decides to use chemical weapon on southerners.
If I were to choose between killing a heavily armed terrorist and one of these self hating southern traitors, I sure know what my choice would be.
And yes! I hate those Southern bastards. Bleep political correctness!! Any man who would unjustly take the side of the strong against the weak is my enemy. I detest those who support injustice and oppression. I loathe those who invent excuses to justify murder of unarmed protesters. And sadly enough, about 80% of southerners who support this government fall within this category.
If I had the means, I would round up these guys in chains and use them as human collateral to borrow one billions naira from one of those mushroom micro finance banks.
Hope For Nigeria

#‎Ojudu‬: The hypocrisy of a famed progressive

Senator Babafemi Ojudu representing Ekiti Central in National Assembly is a renowned propagandist who derives pleasure in attacking those against his selfish interest. Anything done by others is insignificant as far as Ojudu is concerned.
However, to those outside Ekiti most especially the international community, Ojudu is a responsible man who has contributed marvelously to the development of Ekiti.
To those who reads Ojudu's piece daily on social and print media, the Ado-Ekiti born trained Journalist is an erudite scholar that has emancipated the poverty ridden Ekiti people from the bondage of poverty, squalor and starvation.
Country people, yesterday, Ojudu exploded that poverty has economically affected the reasoning of Ekiti people. Mr. Senator is entitled to his opinion but as a leader, I am going to ask Ojudu some questions.
Now, i ask, as a Senator, what has Ojudu done for the downtrodden in Ekiti State? As a Senator, how has he ameliorated the sufferings of his nuclear and extended family members?
As a Senator for almost four years, I can expressly and explicitly say that the only physical achievement of Ojudu till date was the Mobile Clinic he purportedly purchased for his constituents.
The mobile clinic has never served any of his constituents since it was bought.
The mobile clinic had been dumped in front of Ojudu's residence along Iworoko road, Ado-Ekiti since May 2013.
Ojudu evacuated the mobile clinic from the front of his house on April 7th this year. It has been rusting inside the heat of scotching sun for twenty six months.
(one of the attached pictures is the mobile clinic. The photograph was taken today).
Ojudu said poverty has affected the reasoning of Ekiti people. I but I make bold to avow that Ojudu was one of those who institutionalized poverty in Ekiti.
For the four years that his party, the APC held insignia of power in Ekiti State, no measure was taken to demystify poverty to a bearest minimum. Instead, Ojudu and his party bigwigs lives in affluence while their people wallows in the euphoria of poverty.
Ojudu has built houses in Abuja, Magodo, Lagos, Portharcourt; investigation reveals that Ojudu has more than 100 plots of land in Ado-Ekiti and Lagos respectively.
To further show how irresponsible Ojudu was, his late father, Pa. Jimoh Ojudu died on May 13, 2012 after bedridden for years without medical attention. Ojudu became Senator in 2011.
Until his death, the late Jimoh Ojudu lives at N0. 6, Odundun Street, Dalimore, Ado-Ekiti (The building in the picture attached to this piece is where Senator Ojudu father lives until his death. The disgusting mausoleum in front of this building was that of Ojudu's late mother, Madam Radiat).
Ojudu has been very irresponsible to his nuclear family. His first wife, Shade has been abandoned by him. The woman is the current Secretary to the Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies, University of Lagos.
Still on the miserable life his late father lives, the third attached picture in this piece is the current gory condition of the toilet and bathroom of his father's house at Odundun area, Dallimore, Ado-Ekiti.
To show how hypocritical he is, Ojudu once said that only lazy people run for elective Political positions. Two years after making the affirmation known, he ran for Senate. He ensured that his party was destroyed for him to have his way.
Also, Ojudu said during his electioneering campaign that distributing Okada to youths is a crime against humanity, however, the first largesse he gave to youths when he became senator were fairly used motorcycles bought from the Republic of Benin.
Ojudu's only physical achievement as a senator was the now rusted mobile clinic he claimed he bought for his constituents. Ojudu and his party planted poverty in Ekiti. He opened the can of worm, now, he get it.
Watch out for more.
Sunshine Anifowose, Ado-Ekiti.

Tired of the job already.

A super Minister

Minister of darkness indeed

Heard that Senator Babafemi Ojudu is denying that he did not call Ekiti State House of Assembly member, Wale Ayeni today, to enlist his support for a possible removal of Governor Fayose.

Here is the SCREEN GRAB of Hon Wale Ayeni's call records showing Senator Babafemi Ojudu's call at 11.07am and another missed call at 11.08am today.

Hon Wale Ayeni called Ojudu at 12:38pm when he was with Gov Fayose and placed him (Ojudu) on SPEAKER PHONE. Ojudu was not aware that everything that he said was to Governor Fayose's hearing.

Can this rebel change his ways?

More details to follow.

Who Destroy Nigeria?
*Audu Ogbe - Agriculture Minister, Formerly PDP National chairman
*Aminu Tambuwal- Sokoto state Governor, formerly Speaker HOR under PDP
*Bello Masari - Katsina state Governor, formerly Speaker HOR under PDP.
Ortom - Benue state Governor, formerly Minister under Goodluck.
*Okorocha - Imo state Governor, formerly Presidential Aspirant of PDP.
85% of APC Governors are Former PDP Stalwarts.
*Saraki and Dogara are Former PDP Members.
*75% of APC both in HOR and Senate are former PDP members.
*Amaechi Serves as Speaker HOA for 8 years in Rivers and 8 years as Governor under PDP but the Chief Saint under Buhari.
APC destroyed Nigeria

#Alert: Devil Like Human (Esu bi eeyan), Senator  Babafemi Gani-Efon Ojudu at it again!#


At exactly 11:07am today, SENATOR FEMI  OJUDU called a member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Wale Ayeni, asking him to come for a meeting in Abuja.

Ojudu wants Wale Ayeni to act as a MOLE in the House of Assembly and woo his other loyal colleagues to join rebellion against Governor Fayose.

Wale Ayeni, upon receiving the call drove straight to Governor Fayose where he called Ojudu back at exactly 12.38pm to make him repeat himself. Unknown to Ojudu, he was on SPEAKER PHONE where Governor Fayose and others heard all that he (Ojudu) said.

The governor just laughed and said "this Ojudu can never change."

Shouldn't this failed senator try something new? Must he always lead rebellion against Ekiti and its people?

Ojudu called Wale Ayeni with 08055002051.

Senator Elesu Gani-Efon Femi Ojudu, Hon Wale Ayeni said I should tell you that;
"Never again will what happened in 2006 repeat itself in our set of honourables. Ojudu Ole, Esu lehin ibeji. FAYOSE/PDP FOREVER IN EKITI." - Lere Olayinka.

Fayose is in Abuja presently

EKITI WORKERS STRIKE: OUR POSITION

On a day like this, we, the students of Ekiti State standing under the umbrella of the Federation of Ekiti State Students Union (FESSU) have deemed it necessary to express our solidarity to the State Government and at the same time appeal to the labour leaders to embrace dialogue in resolving the current misunderstanding between labour and the government.

It is our understanding that the present economic crisis in Ekiti State was not created by the present government. Rather, it is a combination of the profligacy of the immediate past government in the State and the federal government lack of solution to the country’s economic problems.

Even though we sympathise with our parents who are the workers that are no longer receiving their salary regularly and we make bold to say that we, the students are also being affected, truth must however be told, and the truth is that Governor Ayodele Fayose cannot be blamed for non-payment of workers salary.

It is on record that Governor Fayose was paying workers salary and deductions regularly until allocation from Abuja reduced to less than N1bn per month. This month, Ekiti got N751 million!

We are also aware that Labour leaders and other stakeholders are part of the committee that allocate the State monthly allocation from Abuja whenever it is received and details of money coming to the State are known to the labour leaders.

Most importantly, in the Southwest, Ekiti is one of the States that owe the least salary – some States have been paying half salary without deductions for close to one year.

To us in FESSU, labour leaders in Ekiti State should rather confront the Federal Government that has crippled the nation’s economy and the immediate past government that plunged the State into debt.

For instance, if the deductions being made monthly from allocation coming to Ekiti State from Abuja as debt repayment are not being made, Ekiti State monthly income will still be close to N2bn even in the face of the economic recession.

Too bad, the labour leaders kept silent when inspite of the Oil Windfall of over N46bn received by the immediate past government, the government went on borrowing spree, taking over N30bn Commercial Loan and N25bn Bond.

Perhaps, if the workers had protested then, Ekiti State won’t be in the financial mess that it is today.

It is therefore in view of the realities that we can all see that we are urging the labour leaders to dialogue with the State Government with a view to resolving the current impasse. Confrontation will not work at this time!

We also wish to remind the Governor of the requests of the students, especially provision of Union Bus and payment of bursary that we presented to him and his promise to look into them as the economy of the State improves.

Comrade Obayemi Peter
President

Comrade Obasola Sunkanmi
Secretary

Comrade Adetunji Victor Senate President

I can't stop workers from going on strike, this are perilous times -Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose yesterday in an interview session with press men spoke on salient issues affecting the state, top of which is the inability of the government to meet its obligation in the area of salary payment. Excerpts...

His reaction to the possibility of Ekiti workers going on strike any moment from now:

I want to make some clarification particularly on issues that affects the welfare of our workers. I want to say very expressly that workers are the engine room of government and they deserve all the encouragement but currently we are in crisis financially, the average wage bill in terms of payment of workers is between 2.5 to 2.6billion which includes parastatals, university, college of education and all that.

And since I became governor I have always put this before the leadership of labour, each time they give us a figure from Abuja, I give the paper to them for them to share and bring it for signature.

obviously at some point we all realized that there was nothing to share or probably for what we earn when you are to pay 2.5 or 2.6 billion as wage bill and you now get 1billion, you get 800million, you get 1.2billion, there is nothing to share.

So rotating an alternating payment in terms of paying the university, the college of education, higher institution and so on, we pay them this month and pay the major work force next month.

That has been the practice and we work with a technical committee of labour and government, we meet monthly to disburse. I want to tell u very expressly that it has not been easy.

As it is, last month I got about 850million, the month before which was the month of March I got 1.1billion, February I got about 1.2billion and in December I got about 1.3billion, it has not been easy and I want to say very expressly that I am owing four months salary and with the month of May it will be five months.

This is not about Ekiti alone, all states reasonably are affected by this development irrespective of which governor, which party controls that state. So as it is, I am doing my best within the ambits of availability.

You will recall that I took over a debt profile of commercial loan of over 31billion where deductions are made from source and apart from the commercial loan we have the bond by the last administration as a result, it is difficult for me to sustain the salaries. Ekiti has the least in Nigeria in terms of IGR(internally generated revenue) and most of the times if you don't pay, if you pay the basic it means you don't expect tax next month, that has been the style, that has been the situation.

Right now I am helpless and that is the fact. Yesterday, the 25th of this month, the commissioner for finance called me that we got 751million which is one third or one quarter of the wage bill. So I need to set this record straight, I have been guided and being careful and that is why most of the time when workers doesn't come to work, I don't have the morals to go and stop them from coming late or not coming to work because when you don't pay wages you are handicapped to enforce discipline in the people.

As it is, I am doing my best on the needful but it is difficult for me to sell myself or my wife or sell my property, it is a trying time for our state and for Nigeria, I can only deploy what I get from Abuja within available resources, we are trying our best to improve on the internally generated revenue. You will discover that it is very difficult to squeeze water from a dry tissue paper.

You can't get money when people don't get wages, when the money doesn't circulate, when business are not running, taking IGR from them will be a bit difficult. As it is, this is the position, I just want the public, the workers to understand that it's in my priority to make them very comfortable, apart from wages, it is the responsibility of government to provide electricity,it is the responsibility of government to provide security, to provide for the less privileged, water among others. This has been very difficult, even in government house most of the times we don't have diesel to power generators, so we have to move to the office during office hours and when we move home, we use generator for the government house.

It's been very tough and that's the position but I can't stop workers from going on strike, if you want to go on strike I can't stop you, I can only give explanation which I have given and the best I could do is what I can do. So I sympathise with them but I am helpless, if you want to go on strike, we will be waiting when they will come back.

On his message for the Labour leaders who were threatening to strike:

It is not about threatening, what you have is what you can give, we do this meeting together Technical Committee every month, they have facts more than myself but I don't want to join issues, I appreciate their patience, I appreciate their situation, the same situation they are in is the same situation I am in. So I want to say very clearly, even if you hate the labor force, will you hate the political leaders and political class, No!

His plea to them:

The plea is to all see reasons with the present situation, it is a situation beyond anybody and everybody. If you go to Osun State, go to Ogun, go to Oyo, most states don't even have commissioners, they don't have means, so I won't blame anybody, the financial situation I have said it long ago that this time shall come, this are very perilous times, difficult times, I share the pains of the common people in our society, it is not right time to be governor I must confess to you.

Capital projects despite paucity of funds:

Some ask me, but you are doing some capital project like the fly over, and the new market, yes! I said it, I made it public a year ago that the federal government arranged a loan for each state for 10billion which must be attached to capital project in each state. I made it public in one of 'The Governor Speaks', and I have attached the flyover, the new market and one other project, I have attached that money to them. The money goes to them from source, so this is to clarify the misrepresentation regarding the projects, it is not as if we have the money in our coffers, the money is with the banks and they pay contractors directly. In fact, there are a lot of agreements signed by contractors that won the projects before they can get the money and it is being regulated by the [truncated by WhatsApp]9

What a nonsense talks here, 2018 is fast approaching. We will know who works.

Where are the likes of Amaechi, Tinubu, Fashola, Tambuwal and the others.

Sentiment and persecution of opponents

Ekiti APC Youths Condemn Party Leaders’ Silence Over Fulani Herdsmen Attack

Some youths in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, under
the aegis of Ekiti APC Youths Congress (EAYC) have condemned leaders
of the party in the State for keeping silent over the attack on
Oke-Ako, Ikole Local Government Area of the State by Fulani herdsmen
that left two people dead and several others injured.
In a press statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday and jointly signed
by Mr Tope Ogunkuade and Comrade Tunji Adeleye, Convener and Secretary
respectively, the EAYC said it was painful that APC as party was yet
to speak out to condemn killing of fellow indigenes of Ekiti State.

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The youths said support for President Mohammadu Buhari should not
becloud the party’s sense of reasoning and patriotism towards Ekiti
and its people.

They commended the State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose for taking a bold
and decisive step towards curbing the menace of the Fulani herdsmen.
The youths said; “We wonder how leaders of party think. How can they
keep silent when their fellow Ekiti indigenes are being killed by
Fulani herdsmen just because they don’t want to offend President
Buhari?

“Can APC leaders in the north keep silent if Yorubas were the ones
killing their people?
“We seem not to understand why our party have not seized this
opportunity to show that we are still on the side of Ekiti people. If
Ekiti indigenes were killed by Fulani herdsmen and our party did not
say anything just because President Buhari is a Fulani man, it remains
to be seen how Ekiti people can trust our party.
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“We are therefore challenging our party leaders, especially the
Spokesperson, Taiwo Olatunbosun to also condemn this killing of our
people by Fulani herdsmen because being the opposition party in the
State should just be about criticising Governor Fayose alone.

Our
party too must stand with the people.”

Fayose blames Buhari for Cameron’s ‘fantastically corrupt’ statement

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has said President Mohammadu Buhari’s utterances outside Nigeria was the reason the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, described Nigeria as “fantastically corrupt,” saying; “What do you expect from the international community when the president of a nation keeps going abroad to say that his people are corrupt?”

He said it was annoying that President Buhari said he was embarrassed and shocked by Cameron’s comment, adding that instead of telling Nigerians that he was shocked, the president should apologise to Nigerians for demarketing the country and his people.

The governor, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka said it was on record that in February this year, President Buhari said in United Kingdom that, “Nigerians’ reputation for crime has made them unwelcome in Britain” and went on to warn Nigerians to stop trying to make asylum claims in Britain, saying that their reputation for criminality has made it hard for them to be accepted abroad.

He said; “When a president mounts the podium in foreign lands and gleefully says that his own people are criminals, that they are corrupt and that those abroad should be sent back home, why won’t presidents of other countries brand all citizens of such a country as fantastically corrupt?

“Rather than this grandstanding from the presidency, conceited efforts should be made to redeem the image of Nigeria that the president has destroyed.”

Governor Fayose, who said he was not against the anti-corruption efforts of the federal government, added that all he was saying was that it should be done in accordance with the laws of the country and that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must stop behaving as if it is above the law.
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While describing the remand order reportedly granted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to detain the former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode indefinitely as a show of judicial rascality, the governor said; “it is worrisome that some court magistrates, especially in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have turned themselves into allies of the EFCC in its persecution of Nigerians who are opposed to President Mohammadu Buhari’s anti-people policies.”
He cautioned court magistrates in the country,
especially those in the FCT against the continuous disobedience to the directive of the Chief Judge of the FCT, Justice Ishaq Bello that they should desist from granting remand orders to the EFCC to detain suspects indefinitely, saying; “It now appears that these magistrates are operating as if they are superior to the FCT Chief Judge.”

Justice Bello had said during his visit to the Keffi Medium Prison in Keffi, Nasarawa State that; “I understand that EFCC has been bringing some cases to you and you have been granting them remand orders. You must no longer do this from today.

He noted that “it is obvious that the EFCC is either corrupting the magistrates to obtain the remand orders or they are being blackmailed and coerced by the anti-corruption agency.”

Governor Fayose said; “In saner climes, anti-corruption agencies don’t go about arresting suspects, detaining them arbitrarily and coercing them to make statements implicating themselves. Rather, anti-corruption agencies must have gotten all they needed to prosecute a suspect before arresting him.

“It is even more questionable that the court order secured by the EFCC to detain Fani-Kayode indefinitely was gotten barely 24 hours after the former minister was granted administrative bail by the same EFCC.
“How can someone be granted administrative bail and while he was trying to meet the bail conditions, the EFCC clandestinely rushed to a magistrate court to secure an order to detain him indefinitely? Isn’t that a clear show of executive rascality?”

Okeya, Who is he Where will he get such number, of all people?