We’ve made Ekiti better, says Fayemi

MY dear people of Ekiti State, by the grace of God, in the next 24 hours we would come to the end of a glorious tenure of an administration”, these were the opening words of a lengthy valedictory address titled ‘The Promise Kept’ read yesterday  by former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, who assumed leadership on October 15, 2010.

In the emotion-laden broadcast on state-owned media stations, the governor talked about life’s philosophies, leadership and the consequences of bad conduct.

He detailed the achievements of his Eight-Point Agenda.

Fayemi said: “I have had the privilege to lead the land of honour, Ekiti State. The Scriptures instruct us that ‘there is a time for everything and a season for every purpose under heaven’.

“If wise, we draw from this a keen sense that all earthly things are temporary and finite. All things born or made of man are transient.

“We must leave the path clearer than we found it. We must leave the world, our nation and our state better than we found it.  The promises spoken in this regard are the promises one should keep.

“As I step away from office, I can say the promises we gave are the promises we kept. We have made Ekiti a much better place than we found it.”

He said no leader is indispensable. Government belongs to the people.

In respect to his achievements, the former governor said efforts were made to ensure a change in the attitude of the public, who were disenchanted about politicians.

His words: “It was immediately clear that our first task in Ekiti was to rebuild trust in governance. Without resurrecting that platform of trust, we would be barred from delivering the service we sought to give the people.

“Thus, we resolved to talk less and do more, to let our deeds speak for us as we led by example.

“This meant performing at a level of devotion and commitment to an ideal of public service worthy of the people’s trust.

“This has not been easy in a climate where people had become accustomed to boisterous leaders, official non-performance and dysfunctional institutions.

“However, we made considerable progress. We eschewed the vulgar arrogance associated with power and opted instead for simplicity and sensitivity to the demands and needs of the people of Ekiti.

“We restored the work ethic by separating the sport of politics from the reality of governance and public service.”

Former Governors Niyi Adebayo and Segun Oni poured encomiums on the former governor.

They thanked Fayemi for not disappointing them.

The former governors joined members of the State Executive Council at a valedictory session held at the Government House, Ayoba, Ado Ekiti.

Adebayo, who was the first elected governor, said he was always happy when Fayemi’s strides were lauded.

He said there was no gainsaying that the achievements of the outgoing administration dwarfed those of its predecessors.

Oni said the Fayemi-led government was on a temporary leave because the mission had not yet been completed.

He said he was proud that his party has done well for the people.

The Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, who led the Council in songs, said the administration would bounce back because its vision was of God.

Adelabu thanked Fayemi for believing in her and making her a dependable partner in the development of the State.

Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation Tayo Ekundayo said he accepted to serve because of Fayemi’s leadership style.

Fayemi thanked the exco members for believing in his vision and working with him.

After the session, the former governor made a ‘triumphal entry’ into Isan Ekiti, his country home, after leaving the Government House.

He was received by a crowd, made up of indigenes, friends and well wishers, who had been waiting him at the Ilafon boundary of the town since 10am.

Fayemi, who alighted from his vehicle at 2pm, trekked with his kinsmen to the palace of the Onisan of Isan, Oba Sunday Ajiboye, who prayed for him.

The crowd followed him home thereafter.

Some of the community members, who spoke with reporters, said they were happy the governor did them proud.

They added that no community could deny the impact made by the Fayemi-led administration.

Ahead of today’s inauguration of Governor Ayo Fayose, some residents -motorcyclists, traders, commercial motorists and artisans- have bought Aso-Ebi from the Fayose campaign headquarters at Spotless Hotel in Ado-Ekiti.

There is an air of festivity around the capital. Various groups have bought cows, bags of rice to celebrate.

There is vehicular density on major roads and junctions;  hotels, especially in Ado-Ekiti, have been booked.

Fayose said a minimum of 1,000 clerics have been invited to cleanse the Ayoba Hill Government House and all official edifices.

The new lodge built by the former administration was inaugurated last week by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.

Fayose, speaking during a live broadcast on the Nigerian Television Authorty (NTA), Ado-Ekiti, said the clerics, expected from the 16 local governments, should be sure of their calling and spiritual prowess.

The governor said: “I am expecting all clerics. They would first be at the Government House to carry out a thorough spiritual cleansing before we enter the building today.

“Even if they are up to 1,000, they are all welcome for the cleansing. But anyone who isn’t sure of his calling shouldn’t come. “They (the clerics) would be in front, we shall follow them. Our men of God would use the power of prayer to conquer all evil.

“I don’t want to take up issues with anybody. I only believe that a chapter has come and gone. A new chapter will open today.

“The previous administration has refused to cooperate with us in terms of inauguration and my findings have confirmed that no government account has a minimum of N1million.

“The head of service has been here alongside some permanent secretaries and I  have asked them. I repeat no government account presently in Ekiti has a minimum of one million naira.

“It’s unfortunate that this is happening but we are voted to find solutions to the problem and as soon as we take over the government, we shall find solution to it.”

On whether he would probe the Fayemi administration, Fayose said: “I won’t talk about it now until we take over officially. We can’t talk about it until I assume office.

“I have not gotten any hand-over note. So until then, I don’t want to join issues with anybody.

“Entering the Government House is not an issue. Anywhere I am is a government house.

“Immediately I take over, I can be here (Spotless Hotel) and act as a governor. But events from tomorrow will give us direction.”

The police have assured of a hitch-free ceremony today.

A statement by its spokesman, Victor Babayemi, clarified that all security arrangements had been perfected.

Babayemi said: “The Command has put in place adequate and comprehensive security measures to prevent breach of law and order.

“Bomb Disposal Units, Counter Terrorist Units, Police Mobile Force (PMF) , Swift Response Squad (SRS) and conventional and plain cloth detectives have been strategically positioned to ensure an eventful and crisis free ceremony.”