Governor Ayo Fayose, the returnee governor of Ekiti completed the first year of his four-year second tenure last Friday. In the ongoing dispensation, he is very close to being a metaphor for controversy. Even in this interview with newsmen, he refuses to shift position as he reacts to every question with characteristic candour. The Guardian reports.
One year after, how would you assess your second coming?
In life, you can only do your best within available resources. With the available resources, we have done very well. There are two sides to it. There is human management and resources management. And there must be harmonization of the two to achieve public good. Everybody in Nigeria knows how turbulent it has been for me in office. I took off quite well but it was not an easy thing because the defeated opponents still wanted to come back through the window. They didn’t stop at that. They did everything possible to frustrate the government. And they left huge debt. I recall that the immediate past administration took N25 billion in bonds that was expected to last till 2020 in addition to N31billion loans from so many banks and other debts that I cannot enumerate.
Aside these, we paid arrears of salaries of workers. You know payment of salaries has become an issue in Nigeria. It would definitely take the support of God to take off in such situations. On the political front, there were many huddles to cross like the Presidential, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly elections. Throughout, I was very prominent and in the front burner. I gave it my best. I supported Goodluck Jonathan because I am a very loyal person. It is in time of trouble that you know your friends. Life is not like bread and butter. It is not when my leader is in crisis I will take off and decamp. I don’t do that. And I have said it times without number that it is in time like this that you l know who is who.
You recall there were threats of my being impeached. I inherited a State House of Assembly that was 25 APC members and one PDP member before six of the APC members decamped to PDP. They went very far in their desperation to take over the government through the back door before God gave me total victory over them. Until the end of May and early June, it was as if I was not in government. It was traumatic, it was very bumpy. But since the House of Assembly was inaugurated, 26 out of 26, we have taken off. We are doing well and we are doing our best.
You recall there were threats of my being impeached. I inherited a State House of Assembly that was 25 APC members and one PDP member before six of the APC members decamped to PDP. They went very far in their desperation to take over the government through the back door before God gave me total victory over them. Until the end of May and early June, it was as if I was not in government. It was traumatic, it was very bumpy. But since the House of Assembly was inaugurated, 26 out of 26, we have taken off. We are doing well and we are doing our best.
In specific terms, what can you count for yourself in the last one year?
We have made reasonable impact on our people. The people really appreciate what we have done. If you go to the palace of Ewi today, it is a different ball game. There is gallery there. Everything there is being done by our government and it is done well. We have been able to construct a road from Opopo gbooro to Afao junction along Housing Estate. And all the Housing Estate roads, in and out and the side roads to the Estate have been tarred by our government. We didn’t stop there. The road to the Police Headquarters called D-Head is ongoing. We have equally done well at Ayo Fayose Market. I started the market about 11 years ago and when I came back, it was nothing to write home about. It is now being properly re-surfaced. We have done a lot of commercial services too like building markets for communities in Ikere Ekiti and Ado Ekiti. We are very transparent in the allocation resources.
We recently had education summit, which was second to none. When I took over in my first coming in 2003, Ekiti was number 35 out of 36 states in Nigeria. At my departure in 2006, Ekiti had climbed to number 7 and number 8 in WAEC and NECO respectively using Mathematics, English and other three subjects as the yard stick. But Ekiti had returned to backward rating when I returned last year. Right now, after the Education Summit, teachers are being encouraged and we hope to record considerable improvement in the standard of education in the state within our tenure.
These among other things we have done and I want to let you know that we are flagging off a lot of other projects across the state to commemorate our first year in office within the limited resources at our disposal.
These among other things we have done and I want to let you know that we are flagging off a lot of other projects across the state to commemorate our first year in office within the limited resources at our disposal.
You talk as if you have all the money to do things.
Not exactly; there is no money anywhere. One, the debt burden is big on us. Two, I want to draw your attention to the fact that in June last year, when Governor Fayemi was in the saddle, Ekiti got N3.9 billion as allocation but by May this year, Ekiti had fallen to N1.8 billion. So, we have had a deficit of 53.4% in income. And it is not about Ekiti State alone. But I want to tell you that by the grace of God as I speak with you, I do not owe anybody any salary. The bailout fund has been used to do that although the Federal Government has not given that of the local governments to me. We are hoping and believing that they would do the needful.
Not exactly; there is no money anywhere. One, the debt burden is big on us. Two, I want to draw your attention to the fact that in June last year, when Governor Fayemi was in the saddle, Ekiti got N3.9 billion as allocation but by May this year, Ekiti had fallen to N1.8 billion. So, we have had a deficit of 53.4% in income. And it is not about Ekiti State alone. But I want to tell you that by the grace of God as I speak with you, I do not owe anybody any salary. The bailout fund has been used to do that although the Federal Government has not given that of the local governments to me. We are hoping and believing that they would do the needful.
This thing about Stomach infrastructure; what is it all about?
We are doing well in stomach infrastructure too. We are caring for the stomach of our people. We are showing them love. Stomach infrastructure is the welfare of the people. When somebody is talking to you and he has not eaten and there is even nothing to eat, that is a failure on the part of the government. The government is seen as the father of all. Most of our people know their governor has a caring heart. They troop to the Government House without restriction to share their views. Part of our stomach infrastructure is the health of our people. You can imagine somebody who has a health challenge of only N12,000 and he or she is dying! Government has to intervene and we have to consider those who have small needs. Government cannot look away even though we have issues about funding.
We are doing well in stomach infrastructure too. We are caring for the stomach of our people. We are showing them love. Stomach infrastructure is the welfare of the people. When somebody is talking to you and he has not eaten and there is even nothing to eat, that is a failure on the part of the government. The government is seen as the father of all. Most of our people know their governor has a caring heart. They troop to the Government House without restriction to share their views. Part of our stomach infrastructure is the health of our people. You can imagine somebody who has a health challenge of only N12,000 and he or she is dying! Government has to intervene and we have to consider those who have small needs. Government cannot look away even though we have issues about funding.
Of late Ekiti hitherto peaceful has become a flash point for kidnapping and other criminal activities?
Yes, Ekiti used to be a place for kidnappers, armed robbers but today, we enjoy a relative peace. There are also no hot political issues in the state. Even when political opponents want to foment trouble, we avoid them not because of cowardice but because the onus is on us to protect everybody. In my first coming, opponents used to hide under some of our leaders to foment trouble, but today, we are reaching out to these leaders and briefing them on the running of the state. That way, when anybody goes to them to tell a lie, they will tell the person that what he or she says is not correct. I recollect when the Hausas and the locals had issues, what we did was more of explanation and education of our people to see facts on how to live in harmony.
Yes, Ekiti used to be a place for kidnappers, armed robbers but today, we enjoy a relative peace. There are also no hot political issues in the state. Even when political opponents want to foment trouble, we avoid them not because of cowardice but because the onus is on us to protect everybody. In my first coming, opponents used to hide under some of our leaders to foment trouble, but today, we are reaching out to these leaders and briefing them on the running of the state. That way, when anybody goes to them to tell a lie, they will tell the person that what he or she says is not correct. I recollect when the Hausas and the locals had issues, what we did was more of explanation and education of our people to see facts on how to live in harmony.
What is your take on the ministerial list of President Buhari?
I am not comfortable with the list of the ministerial nominees. It is just the recycling of old materials. If you look at the names, there are four or so of them who were consultants to General Buhari when he was at the PTF (Petroleum Trust Fund). You see, we must be realistic in this country. I want to avoid appearing as if I fault President Buhari on the issue. But if you look at people there, they are cronies. It defines a lot of things. It implies a lot of things. If you go to some states, they will say their nominees are thieves. It is their people saying it. That is why I question this anti corruption war.
I am not comfortable with the list of the ministerial nominees. It is just the recycling of old materials. If you look at the names, there are four or so of them who were consultants to General Buhari when he was at the PTF (Petroleum Trust Fund). You see, we must be realistic in this country. I want to avoid appearing as if I fault President Buhari on the issue. But if you look at people there, they are cronies. It defines a lot of things. It implies a lot of things. If you go to some states, they will say their nominees are thieves. It is their people saying it. That is why I question this anti corruption war.
Nigerians are watching and waiting. If General Buhari wants to fight corruption, he should start from his people. We know he has no money, but those air planes he used in flying around for campaigns, who owns them? Where was the money coming from at that time?
Today, he is looking into some peoples books. Some people will look into his book tomorrow. Life is a cycle. What goes round comes around. I have seen it. I am the longest serving governor in Nigeria, I keep saying that. I served in Obasanjo’s administration, I served in Yar’Adua/ Jonathan’s administration and now in Buhari’s administration. I am in the best position to talk about Nigeria since 1999. You cannot tell me that those people on that list are the best for Nigeria. What I am saying is that if General Buhari is to do well, he should use men with proven integrity and not people with proven ‘integrity’ through newspapers’ propaganda.
Surprisingly, you were among the first to support the nomination of Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
Well, people thought I was going to take on former Governor Kayode Fayemi on the premise of the Senate House Rule that, at least two senators from the state of the nominee must endorse him to become a minister. I saw the cloud gathering against him, I saw a lot of people who wanted to come out to protest against him with a lot of petitions. but I had to rise up to the challenge for us to support him because it is all about Ekiti and not Fayemi or Fayose or APC or PDP. You must have a state to be part of before talking of political parties. I have to rise up as the leader of the state, by the grace of God today, to say that any son or daughter of Ekiti State that needs to occupy a position in the country must be supported by the entire state. After all, it is just for a short period; it is transient so to speak. And when you bring him down, you bring down the entire Ekiti State down. For me, it doesn’t matter if the person concerned pays good deeds with evil. I want to be governor and God has made me governor and so, I am not ready to muscle anybody. It is good for me to sustain this peaceful environment, work with everybody, do the best I can do and leave the rest for others coming after me. Government is continuous.
Well, people thought I was going to take on former Governor Kayode Fayemi on the premise of the Senate House Rule that, at least two senators from the state of the nominee must endorse him to become a minister. I saw the cloud gathering against him, I saw a lot of people who wanted to come out to protest against him with a lot of petitions. but I had to rise up to the challenge for us to support him because it is all about Ekiti and not Fayemi or Fayose or APC or PDP. You must have a state to be part of before talking of political parties. I have to rise up as the leader of the state, by the grace of God today, to say that any son or daughter of Ekiti State that needs to occupy a position in the country must be supported by the entire state. After all, it is just for a short period; it is transient so to speak. And when you bring him down, you bring down the entire Ekiti State down. For me, it doesn’t matter if the person concerned pays good deeds with evil. I want to be governor and God has made me governor and so, I am not ready to muscle anybody. It is good for me to sustain this peaceful environment, work with everybody, do the best I can do and leave the rest for others coming after me. Government is continuous.
With control of political representation at all levels in the state in your hands, will you say for sure that the tough political battles you face in the state are over?
Problems will still come. You cannot do without problems till you die. But once God is with you, nobody can be against you. I have seen it reasonably within this short time that, the amount of machinations one gets every day in an attempt to do good is equivalent, if not more than the energy required to do that good. But what is important is to ensure you do everything within the fear of God.
Problems will still come. You cannot do without problems till you die. But once God is with you, nobody can be against you. I have seen it reasonably within this short time that, the amount of machinations one gets every day in an attempt to do good is equivalent, if not more than the energy required to do that good. But what is important is to ensure you do everything within the fear of God.
It is interesting when you sit back and recollect that you left office at a particular day, October 16, in 2006 and came back the same day, October 16, 2014! It could not have been a mere coincidence; it is the will of God. So, anybody fighting me is wasting his time. I have not lost one battle since I came into politics. Even the one that appeared lost during my removal was reversed by the Supreme Court eight years after. The Bible says everything works for good.
In spite of what they say about Fayose being bad and violent, check the pattern of all the elections, I still defeated them. Why is it that the people love a violent man?! If APC takes all the states in the federation, they can’t take Ekiti. I stand to be challenged. Ekiti is a no-go area. It is not about party, it is about person. My type of come back is not usual, it is not normal. And there is no election that I will not defeat them. They will not get one local government. I am not boasting. My people are with me. They love me. It is like I am under their sleeves. I am not a governor who poses as governor to them. I live with them like one of them. I am not a governor that rolls up his car’s side screen so that people would not see him.
Even if my people don’t invite me to their naming ceremony I will be there. I have informants that will tell me that somebody is celebrating one thing or the other. I will carry a goat, a bag of rice and some money to the place for the celebrant. If the governor comes personally to visit you, it is enough honour. Other governors should climb down from their high horse and be with their people. They should remember that the way up is also the way down. I don’t even know whether my car has siren. My people know what I stand for. When I go to the office, I see about 300 people waiting for me. I will sit down and attend to all of them. My telephone numbers are in the public domain. If you call my number, I will pick it. I pick as many calls as I can. I reply text messages. They run the government with me.
One other thing that I have brought to governance is that when allocations come, I call all the stakeholders who are beneficiaries of the stuff namely the tertiary institutions, civil servants, Hospitals Management Board, NLC, retirees and all of them. I will give them the allocation paper and say, go and share the money. I make public what comes to our people. Share it and give the government its own share for security and so on. I have transferred that power to them. What can anybody accuse me of? Can you accuse me of not wanting to pay your money? Except you are naïve. The people will defend you beyond your imagination if you are straight forward with them. So, for me, it is innovative and it is paying off handsomely.
Does Ekiti State need a separate airport given that Akure which has an airport is less than 40 minutes drive from Ado-Ekiti? Besides, there is one in Ibadan and Governor Aregbesola of Osun State is planning to build another in Oshogbo which is also very close to Ado-Ekiti.
Thank you. Let me explain two things to you. Right now, I don’t have money. But everything you do in life, if you have the will, you will have your way. When you are not inside government, you insinuate so many things. Remember all the states you mentioned are different states and not Ekiti State.
I am talking about Ekiti State. Ekiti doesn’t have an airport. Now, you said Aregbesola has started one, why did he start if it is not important to him?
At least, Ekiti airport is in the public domain now. Attention has been drawn to it. There are so many ways to move life forward. We have given birth to Ekiti Airport and it must come to life. Our people are happy about it. Gombe State was created the same day as Ekiti. Gombe started with airstrip and Ekiti State is also starting with airstrip. For them to know that when there is will there is a way, I have rallied all contractors who have volunteered bulldozers and graders to support this government. They have started pilling the place and everybody will see that we have started something. Let me tell you one thing, if you don’t blow your trumpet, nobody will blow it for you. We will move to the next step of going to the Federal Government to say, this how far we have gone, please assist us.
At least, Ekiti airport is in the public domain now. Attention has been drawn to it. There are so many ways to move life forward. We have given birth to Ekiti Airport and it must come to life. Our people are happy about it. Gombe State was created the same day as Ekiti. Gombe started with airstrip and Ekiti State is also starting with airstrip. For them to know that when there is will there is a way, I have rallied all contractors who have volunteered bulldozers and graders to support this government. They have started pilling the place and everybody will see that we have started something. Let me tell you one thing, if you don’t blow your trumpet, nobody will blow it for you. We will move to the next step of going to the Federal Government to say, this how far we have gone, please assist us.
The fact remains that if there is no airport in Ekiti, most of the banks and company executives that have businesses to do with us will sometimes get to Akure and when they imagine the bad road that will take them one and a half hours to Ekiti and another one and a half hours back to Akure to have two hours discussion with us here, they will say, our day has been spent. They will shy away from us.
It is not only about the road. I have told you earlier that Ekiti is Ekiti, Ondo is Ondo. The children of Ondo will not come to Ekiti for employment. And Ekiti son will not claim any right in Ondo. So, for me as a leader in Ekiti, the airport will open up our state to opportunities and even more so when we are a landlocked state. Rail does not come to our state, airport is not in our state and there is no water. We would not continue like that. We must find a way to get connected to the rest of the world. Then hear this, the money I am looking for, for the project is N3billion. The last administration did two kilometer road for N2 billion. And I say I want to do an airport where plane can land for N3billion. Can you compare that to a two-kilometer road in town? So, let us stop to think of it. Priorities of governments are different.
And don’t forget that before I came, this project had been initiated by the administration of Segun Oni who is now in APC and criticizing me. It was approved by the Federal Government. When Omotoba was the Aviation Minister, she approved Bayelsa, Ekiti and Delta. Was the Federal Government stupid at that time? I have the letter of approval in my hand. It was Segun Oni that started it. He appointed a consultant. So, what are they talking about? If you cannot carry a mission through and somebody says he can carry it through from point ‘A’ to the other end, what is then the complaint?! I would not start any project that I will not complete. So, write it down, by the grace of God, aircraft will land in Ekiti during my tenure because when there is a will, there is a way.
GUARDIAN NIGERIA
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