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A coalition of civil society organisations in Ekiti and the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties protested in Ekiti on Friday, demanding the resignation of Governor Ayodele Fayose.
The protesters under the umbrella of “Be the Change Organisation,” South West chapter, criticised the governor for “his failure to live up to expectation.”
Public workers in Ekiti State are owed five months salaries, while media reports said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had traced N4.7bn from the Office of the National Security Adviser to Fayose’s account and two sons of a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro.
The governor, while denying the allegation, had said he had no financial transaction whatsoever with the ONSA under Col Sambo Dasuki (retd) and Obanikoro either by cash, cheque or electronic transfer.
The protesters, who converged on the popular Fajuyi Park, went through the Governor’s office gate and proceeded to Okeyinmi roundabout where their leaders addressed the public.
They carried placards with various inscriptions including, “What happened to the airport fund,” “Fayose must go,” “Fayose is a disgrace,” “Stop wasting Ekiti money on olosho nights,” “We say no to Fayose’s financial recklessness,” and “We don’t want a criminal as governor.”
They also chanted anti-Fayose songs to deride the governor, whom they accused of cornering the resources of the state.
The CNPP in its address read by the Publicity Secretary, Ayo Adelabu, called on the governor to come out and defend himself om the N4.7bn arms deal saga.
“We also implore him to come and explain to Ekiti people how he has spent six month allocation without the payment of Emiti workers which has grounded the state working force for the past one month.”
The CNPP called on the management of Zenith Bank to explain their role in the funding of Fayose’s 2014 election in the state.
The CNPP also warned the governor to stop abusing President Muhammadu Buhari, who according to them, has been enjoying the full support of the majority of Ekiti people at large.
“CNPP strongly condemn Ekiti state legislators who have turned themselves to Polotical slaves in the hand of Fayose at the detriment of Ekiti people,” Adelabu said.
Also asking the governor to explain the N2.3bn loan he allegedly took from the bank, the CNPP advised the governor to immediately stop the flyover bridge project and caution all his political thugs against the attack on innocent people in the state.
The Executive Director of BCO, Mrs. Omotunde Fajuyi, said Ekiti people were embarrassed by the latest revelation of Fayose’s link with N4.7bn arms cash adding that all Nigerians must support any move to recover the peoples commonwealth from looters.
Saying that Ekiti people were people of honour and integrity, she expressed dismay that Fayose’s conduct in power had brought shame and odium on all Ekitis both at home and abroad.
“We support President Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade, we have come out to protest looting of our money, corruption in government and scandals digging this government in Ekiti.
“Workers are dying at home, we want Fayose to explain what he has done with allocations he had so far collected because he had received more than N50bn as allocation since he came to power.
“Fayose claims to be a Christian, he must come out clean and give account to the people of Ekiti State and he must submit himself and all his aides and associates to anti-corruption agencies for investigation,” Fajuyi said.
The spokesperson for the artisans, Idowu Ayegbe, said, “We regret all the burden the governor has imposed on us in Ekiti in form of levies and taxes on our pupils. We are not happy with what the governor is doing including his attacks on the President.”
A youth leader, Adeoye Aribasoye, challenged Fayose to explain what he did with ecological funds and N9.6bn bailout funds he received from the Federal Government.
“We have a governor who is richer than the state, a governor who has over N4bn in his account he is the only one who can explain what he has done with all the funds he had received from federal authorities.
“He must explain the N2.4bn ecological funds because we don’t know what has happened to the money, he must answer for the revelations of Ekitigate.
“Pupils and students of public schools have been at home for over four weeks due to the strike embarked upon by civil servants and teachers,” he said.
Earlier on Thursday, the Executive Director of Zenith Bank, Sola Oladipo, led other top management officials to the governor to apologise to him on media report claiming that the bank had dissociated itself from the funding of his election.
When accosted by reporters who had laid an ambush for them if the bank actually made the denial, Oladipo who struggled to answer the question said only the spokesman of the bank could comment on the matter.
But commenting on the visit, Fayose said, “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.” http:///28UcQOO

With the continent's perennial powers shoehorned into the same half of the draw for the Euro 2016 knockout stages, Europe's lesser lights

will never have a better opportunity to topple the traditional giants.

Title-holders Spain face Italy in the last 16 and then a potential quarterfinal against world champions Germany before the prospect of bumping into France or England should they reach the last four.

The teams in the bottom half of the draw have combined to win 11 World Cups and nine European championships, whilst no side in the top half has won a major tournament.

But for the likes of Belgium, Croatia, Switzerland, Poland and Wales their respective paths to the July 10 final have given them plenty of reason to dream about a first international title.

"There is a crazy imbalance in the draw for the second round, but those are the rules and we have to respect them," said Italy coach Antonio Conte.

While Belgium may be wary of last-16 opponents Hungary, who won Group F after a 30-year major tournament absence, now is the time for the country's gifted generation of players to fulfil their potential.

The Red Devils finished runners-up at the 1980 European Championship, but with a formidable core based around Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois, Marc Wilmots' side boast more than enough talent to go one step further in France.

"There's no doubt that we have big ambitions; our aim must always be to reach the final," Wilmots told Fifa.com ahead of the tournament.

After sliding to an opening 2-0 defeat to Italy, Belgium bounced back to outclass the Republic of Ireland before a late Radja Nainggolan strike against Sweden ensured they progressed as Group E runners-up.

Should they beat Hungary, a quarterfinal against Wales or Northern Ireland would await them in Lille with Croatia, Portugal, Poland and Switzerland all potential last-four opponents.

But Wilmots argued the nature of the draw simply cranked up the pressure on the world's second-ranked side.

"Forget what it says on paper, only what happens on the pitch counts. I'd rather play Spain or England, as we would have less to lose. Anyway, only the journalists think our half is easier."

Captain Eden Hazard stressed the importance of not looking too far ahead.

"We will see at the end of the tournament if we are indeed in the easy part of the schedule, without any favourites. If we get to the final then maybe we can say it was a good thing not to have been with the favourites, but there are no easy games," he said.

CONFIDENT CROATIA

Ivan Perisic's late winner against Spain sent Croatia through as winners of Group D, although Iceland's last-gasp victory over Austria on Wednesday means the Croats will take on Portugal rather than Iceland in the next round.

"In this phase of the competition there are no easy opponents and we probably got the most difficult," said Croatia coach Ante Ancic.

"But we were in the toughest group of Euro 2016 and we successfully went through, so there is no reason not to be confident in this match too."

Real Madrid star Luka Modric missed the 2-1 victory over Spain along with Mario Mandzukic, but Croatia will be counting on the pair to lead them deep into the tournament -- having come third at the 1998 World Cup in France.

Poland, twice World Cup semifinalists in 1974 and 1982, and Switzerland both advanced from the group stage for the first time and square off in the first of the last-16 ties on Saturday in Saint-Etienne.

Switzerland last reached the quarterfinals of a major finals when they hosted the 1954 World Cup, and midfielder Fabian Frei admits anticipation is building in the Swiss camp.

"We’re ready. Every player in our squad is of great quality and as a team we can beat anyone," he said. "If we beat Poland on Saturday, we can start to dream."

Striker Haris Seferovic added: "We’re not looking far ahead but everything is possible, even the final."

Wales waited 58 years to return to the big stage having last competed at the 1958 World Cup, but with Gareth Bale spearheading their challenge they too have high hopes.

"Obviously you come to the tournament for one reason: to win," said the Real Madrid superstar, who has scored a joint-best three goals in France.

"You do not come out here to play three games and go home. The ultimate goal is we want to try and win the tournament."