Ekiti: Fayemi Sworn-in, Laments Fayose’s N170b Debt Burden

ABIODUN NEJO

At a colourful ceremony in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Tuesday, Dr Kayode Fayemi was sworn in as Governor of Ekiti State.The Governor’s swearing in by  the Chief Justice of the State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, came shortly after the swearing in of his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion.

In his maiden address to the gathering which had in attendance President Muhammadu Buhari represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha: governors, ministers, All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and mammoth crowd of Ekiti people, Fayemi assured that his administration would hit the ground running for betterment of the people’s lives.

The governor, who said “today, we reclaim our land from those that had held us hostage,” lamented that the outgone Ayodele Fayose administration committed the state to over N170 billion debt and other financial commitments.

He said that his administration would embark on forensic audit of the finances of the state in the last four years with a view to ascertain the true position of things, assuring that his second term was not a revenge mission, but a healing balm on wounds.

Fayemi defeated the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 14 governorship election, Prof Kolapo Olusola, to become governor of the state.

He said: “Never again shall we be deceived into making such a mistake that has set us back. Never again shall the government of our state be handed over to those who do not understand governance”.

President Buhari expressed unwavering confidence about the ability of the new governor to deliver democratic dividends to the people.

The President said Fayemi, as a former member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), had persistently been disturbing him about the development of the state.

He said that Fayemi as governor would afford him the opportunity to redirect Ekiti State to the path of greatness and abundance in terms of economic prosperity.

Buhari pleaded for votes from Ekiti people in the 2019 presidential election, saying he had a lot to offer Nigerians if given the opportunity to be reelected.

He said: “I know Dr Fayemi very well, he has always cherished anything that has to do with the development of this state. As Ekiti governor between 2010 and 2014, he instituted some laudable projects that impacted positively on the lives of the people and this pavilion was one of them.

“I know that he will do what is right to justify this mandate. I
charge him not to relent in his efforts to serve Ekiti with passion, commitment and candour .

“Federal Government has given supports to states in the areas of bailouts, budget support, ecological funds and Paris Club refund of which Ekiti was a beneficiary.

“We have extended the standard rail project to Ekiti and the construction of the Federal Secretariat will soon be completed. The Federal Government is also planning to dualise Ado-Akure Road and reconstruct Ado-Ikare Road for the use of our people. We have also built another 133kva power source in Ekiti that will be commissioned soon.

“As of today, 11,000 Ekiti indigenes are benefiting  from the N-power programme of this administration.

“We are confident that Dr Fayemi will help cover the lost grounds brought by past administration. From today, you will begin to have a new breath in Ekiti under the present government”, Buhari said.

In his address, Fayemi said his government would work hard to bring succour to the populace, by removing  the cankerworm of corruption that had eaten deep into the state fabrics under the PDP-led government of former Governor Fayose.

According to him, the essence of reviewing finances of the last administration is to ensure that the culture of prudence and financial propriety are
brought to bear in governance of the state.

He promised that Ekiti State under him would not slide and degenerate to the level of allowing school children to pay various taxes in their quests to receive formal education.

Fayemi promised that his government would reinstate the N5,000 social security to the elderly and make tremendous positive impacts in the areas of agriculture, social investment and economy.

He said: “In the last four years, Ekiti was governed by a rudderless, inept and egregiously corrupt government, which was led by those who deceived our people through the instrument of stomach infrastructure.

“In this context, never again will Ekiti slip into the hands of those who knew nothing about governance, never again shall we allow our school children  to pay taxes, never again shall we abandon the burgeoning resources at Ikogosi Warm Spring to waste, never again
shall we allow our Judiciary to be debased by draconian government and never again shall the most educated state like Ekiti be apostle of
stomach infrastructure that has made us laughing stock.

“In our quests for economic rejuvenation, our government shall invest heavily in Youth in Commercial Agriculture,  because Ekiti is basically agrarian, reactivate community based projects, tap into our
tourist potential and ensure security of local and foreign investors.

“As of today, the debt profile and other financial commitment hanging on the state look challenging, but with your supports, we shall
overcome. The light shall shine again. We shall celebrate our core values of scholarship, knowledge, hardwork, unity and strong characters bequeathed  to us by our founding fathers”, Fayemi said.

The governor, who said he would network with the Federal Government and other local and international bodies to bring  democracy dividends to Ekiti, appealed to the Federal Government to help the state, saying the ailing condition if the state economy made support of the Federal Government compelling.

Dignitaries at the ceremony include: Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, former APC National Chairman,
Chief John Oyegun: and former Ekiti State Governors, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Bamidele Olumilua.

Governors at the event included Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Alhaji Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos), Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi).

In a statement on Tuesday, Ondo State APC Chairman, Engr Ade Adetimehin, congratulated Fayemi, saying: “We are confident that the trust reposed in you by the good people of Ekiti State will inspire you to give your very best into the service of the state, to ensure genuine and sustainable development of the land, and enhance the people’s well-being and security.

“We have no doubt that Ondo and Ekiti states, under your watch, will collaborate in several ways, to promote the development and prosperity of the two sister states,” he said.