The title of this piece is not original to me. It was coined by my former boss and editor, Simon Kolawole, in one of his write-ups few years ago. I find it hard to believe that we are still debating whether the President will assent to the reworked electoral Act Amendment Bill which was sent back to him when the previous one was rejected by our man from Daura. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is torn between the devil and the deep blue sea as the waiting game continues. With few months to the next general elections, we still don’t have a clear-cut road map on how the process will pan out and the relevant laws that will guide the exercise.

The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, in December last year, informed his colleagues that the President had decided to withhold assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill 2021, passed by both the Senate and  House of Representatives.

Many Nigerians were shocked when the President refused to assent to the Bill due to the fact that they believe there are provisions in the Bill that could strengthen our electoral process. Indeed, the Electoral Act amendment Bill 2021 makes provisions for the usage of card readers; clearly forbids members of political parties from taking up employment or appointment in INEC; clearly defines over-voting, and makes provision for electronic transmission of results. Aside from these, it also makes direct primaries compulsory for all political parties in choosing their various flag bearers.

Are our leaders not playing Ludo with our electoral process and indeed our lives?

Mr. President, on receipt of the Bill, promised to consult widely before he would append his signature to the Bill and indeed, wrote to the INEC, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of the Federation to seek their inputs. It was not a surprise when Mr. President refused to assent to the Bill citing various reasons why the Bill could not see the light of day.

One aspect of the Bill that the President was not comfortable with was the direct primaries clause hence his decision to throw away the baby with the bathwater.

President Buhari noted that compulsory direct primaries will lead to an increase in cost to political parties and INEC in the conduct of direct primaries in 8,809 wards across the country; make life difficult for small political parties; overstretch security agencies; violate freedom of choice by political parties and give rise to litigations. The President also noted that it will lead to an increase in vote-buying while also arguing that direct primaries are susceptible to manipulation.

Those were the reasons the President gave for withholding assent but political pundits assert that the real reason Mr. President withheld assent was the supremacy battle between state governors and the lawmakers for the control of the political parties ahead of the 2023 General Elections. Many political watchers are of the view, and rightly so, that it was state governors that put pressure on the President not to sign the Amendment Bill as the Direct Primaries clause was inserted by the lawmakers to take the control of the political parties away from the governors. Though many lawmakers were angry that the president refused to sign the Act into law, the possibility of overriding the President by invoking section 58 (5) of the 1999 constitution was considered, but the lawmakers at the end of the day decided not to toe the combative posture and agreed to rework the Bill to satisfy the President.

Both chambers of the National Assembly went back to the drawing board and came up with a new Electoral Act which was forwarded to the President on January 31st. Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, in a one-page statement, titled, “Transmission of the Electoral Bill 2022,” stated that the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr Olatunde Moses Ojo, had transmitted authentic copies of the bill to the president in accordance with the provisions of Section 58 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2 LFN 2004. The release read in part, “The Clerk to the National Assembly Mr. Olatunde Amos Ojo, has transmitted the authenticated copies of the Electoral Bill 2022 to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on 31st January 2022. “This was done in accordance with the provisions of Section 58 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2 LFN 2004. “Mr. President had withheld assent to the Electoral Bill 2021 transmitted to him on 19th November 2021. The Electoral Bill was thereafter reworked by the National Assembly and both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed same on 25th January 2022.” Both National Assembly in its wisdom allow political parties to choose from the three modes of primaries it recommended for the nation. The harmonised version now accommodates direct, indirect, and consensus modes of primary election.

This is where the lawmakers are likely to get their pound of flesh from the Governors as they (the Governors) are not again comfortable with the consensus arrangement introduced by the lawmakers. On Direct Primaries in section 84 (4), the amended version provides, “A political party that adopts the direct primaries procedure shall ensure that all aspirants are given equal opportunity of being voted for by members of the party and shall adopt the procedure outlined below: “(a) In the case of Presidential Primaries, all registered members of the party shall vote for aspirants of their choice at a designated centre at each ward of the Federation. “(b) The procedure in paragraph (a) above of this subsection shall be adopted for direct primaries in respect of Gubernatorial, Senatorial, Federal and State Constituencies.” On Indirect Primaries, the bill provides under 84(5), “A political party that adopts the system of indirect primaries for the choice of its candidate shall adopt the procedure outlined below: “(a) In the case of nominations to the position of Presidential candidate, the political party shall – (i) hold a Special Presidential Convention at a designated centre in the Federal Capital Territory or any other place within the Federation that is agreed to by the National Executive Committee of the party where delegates shall vote for aspirants of their choice. “(ii) The aspirant with the highest number of votes cast at the end of voting shall be declared the winner of the Presidential primaries of the political party and that aspirant’s name shall be forwarded to the Commission as the candidate of the party.” On Consensus Candidate the bill in 84(9) (a) provides, “A political party that adopts a consensus candidate shall secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the position, indicating their voluntary withdrawal from the race and their endorsement of the consensus candidate.”

Again, the Governors felt that another bobby-trap had been laid for them and have vowed to mount pressure on the president to withhold his assent until two clauses are amended or dropped. The clauses in contention resolve around resignation by appointed political office holders, including ministers, commissioners and others before 2023 election primaries; and the ‘unworkable’ consensus option in picking candidates by political parties. In Nigeria, it is rampant for appointed political office holders to remain in office while contesting in their party’s primaries. The governors believe that Senators and the Representatives put the difficult clause on the consensus to stop the governors from imposing any anointed aspirant.

However, Opposition federal lawmakers have asked President Buhari to assent to the reworked Electoral Bill Amendment Bill 2022 without further delay. Leader of the caucus, who is also the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinaya Abaribe, and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Ndidi Elumelu, said that it is incumbent on the President to sign the bill as they have ensured that everything he complained about has been given to him.

“Now that we have bent backward, no excuse or reason should be given again. Provisions of the bill are very critical for expected credibility of the 2023 general elections,” he said.

Elumelu alleged that some APC governors are again plotting to stop the President from assenting to the reworked bill. He, however, urged President Buhari not to yield to the request of the governors but sign the bill owing to its importance in strengthening the country’s electoral process.

He said: “We met them, they said they want direct primary. We said okay, if it will mean giving Nigerians a very sound electoral reform, we will accept it.

INEC is in limbo waiting for the laws that will guide it in the conduct of the polls which has been turned to a battle of ego and political interest.

“They came back again and said, oh, we have rejected it, we now want indirect primary. We said we agree, but give Nigerians electoral reform. They came back again and said, we want consensus. We have added consensus to the amendment.

“Again, I am hearing that, among them, those APC governors, with their wuru-wuru, are still plotting for the president not to sign. Nigerians are tired of APC. We promise not to let the people down. That is why we are asking APC and President Buhari to sign the Electoral Bill. Sign it, Nigerians want it signed. No more delay.”

Again, Malami has hinted that President Buhari may withhold assent from the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill if it is considered to have proposals based on personal interests.

As the ding-dong continues, the President has not said a word. While the 30 days constitutionally allowed for him to either sign or reject the Bill has not lapsed, INEC is in limbo waiting for the laws that will guide it in the conduct of the polls which has been turned to a battle of ego and political interest. Are our leaders not playing Ludo with our electoral process and indeed our lives?

See you next week.

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Oh Yes, I maintain it one million times and the reasons are clearly obvious in this article.

Unarguably, the trending question   is: WHO WILL SUCCEED PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI? This question permeates the political, business, religious and social circles and the painstaking search has transcended   ethnic, religious, business and social groupings to pinpoint  a capable hand, by his/her antecedents, to  solve the myriads of problems besetting the Nigerian nation.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in spite of his challenges, is doing his best and his admirable achievements would be clearly rolled out at the end of his tenure in 2023.  However, we are in dire need of a successor who can  harness human and  national resources, Capital Formation, Technological Development, Social and Political Factors to ensure a healthier Economic Growth for Nigerians and foreign investors.

With Dr John Kayode Fayemi on ground, which candidate cum successor to President Muhammadu Buhari are we looking for again?

The Search

Nigeria needs a successor, an ardent administrator, who is concerned about the well-being of the teeming masses!

Legal Luminary, Aare Afe Babalola SAN, advises that a credible choice  should not be below 60 years,  have a solid educational background, be of sound health and should not be enmeshed in corrupt practices. In his words, “The candidate must also be extraordinarily brilliant and must have sound knowledge of the current affairs, work ethics, leadership experience, good human relations and also have a clear-cut vision and mission for Nigeria”.

In a similar vein, a former Military Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd), also stated that the country needs younger people to lead it as from 2023.

According to him “Nigeria of 2023 and beyond would not need leaders with a walking stick, but the younger generation to give leadership a new lease of life”.

Who is John Kayode Fayemi?

Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, a cerebral scholar and astute  administrator is currently the Governor of Ekiti State and doubles as the Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF). He has been described as someone with an ingenious capacity for good governance, best practices and ability to deliver public good.

Fayemi was Governor of Ekiti State between 2010 – 2014 before he staged a comeback in 2018. He ran a value- driven government with integrity and accountability as hallmarks. In 2014, Ekiti ranked first on the Transparency index of the BudgiT Report. In his current Report,  Ekiti is rated amongst the top three States. Equally in the State’s Bureau of Public Procurement Website, every single contract awarded by the Government, the Contract Sum and the Contractor handling same are listed  for public scrutiny.

Veteran Journalist, Segun Dipe, describes  Dr John Fayemi as a focused person and a Promise Keeper: “He built his promises on 5 pillars, viz: Good governance, Agriculture and grassroots development, social investment, knowledge economy and infrastructure development. And he has ensured that he touched on all the five pillars”.

Then and now, Governor Fayemi  ensures that  the  dividends of democracy get to the people through a  structural and economic development of the state with  legal backings to every initiated policy. His legacy projects, alongside those of his predecessors (which he completed) say much about his commitment to service . Among the projects to his credit are the Civic Centre, Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, New Ado-Iyin Road, the Cargo Airport. There is also the Ikun Dairy Farm and Ranch, brought back to life in partnership with Promasidor with a daily production of 2,000 litres of fresh milk.

Other investments are JMK, Dangote and Stallion Rice Mills,  Cassava Mills. In short, there is a total investment of about $300 million in the last  three years.

Upon the receipt of the Governor of the Year Award (2019) from the Vanguard Newspapers Group on July 16, 2021, Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Industries, Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande, said the Award was in recognition of Fayemi’s, “positive contributions to human, social and infrastructure development in his community, society and the nation at large.”

 Dr. John Kayode Fayemi’s stint as Minister of Mines and Steel Development between 2015 and 2018,  brought a huge revenue for the Nigerian Federation. Specifically, Gbenga Akinremi stated that revenue from exports in the mining sector increased by 592 per cent within one year of Fayemi’s  stewardship and he was able to improve funding for the sector by securing  over N70bn intervention fund from development partners including  the World Bank and the Natural Resources Development Fund.

As Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) since May 23, 2019, detribalized  Governor  Fayemi has steered the affairs of the forum remarkably and impacted positively on the Nigerian Polity.

A source while commenting on the sterling qualities and performance of Governor Fayemi as NGF Chairman, noted with joy that  “his colleagues love him, his leadership direction, and the dynamism he has brought to bear, especially on the NGF”.

 Dr. John Kayode Fayemi’s leadership approach stems from his ability to carry people along, irrespective of status.  This trait manifested in his University days as the Secretary of the Youth in Solidarity with Southern Africa in Nigeria (YUSSAN) at the University of Lagos, as a Student Worker at the ANC/SWAPO Office in Nigeria located at Keffi, Ikoyi Lagos Nigeria and also as the General Secretary of the United Nations Students Association (ANUNSA). Fayemi also made a mark in the Movement for National Awareness (MONA) and as a vibrant member of the University of Lagos Students Union Parliament/Senate. At various times, he was Editor, Watch Magazine and the Editor- in- Chief, Alpha Magazine, the Eni Njoku Hall House Magazine. As a hobby, he was a member of Theatre 15, University Theatre Group.

Dogged soldier in the struggle

Dr Sunday Aniyi in his Write-up, DR KAYODE FAYEMI AND THE JUNE 12 STRUGGLES had this to say about him:

“Of special mention is Dr Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti who was one of the young and vibrant foot soldiers who dedicated their talents, career, time, lives and all to get the annulment of the June 12 election reversed and see to the enthronement of MKO Abiola as President. He was arguably the engine room of the exile operatives, especially those in the National Liberation Council of Nigeria (NALICON) and National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). For Dr Fayemi, anti-military rule campaigns and June 12 was the struggle that defined his character as a man who invests his entire energy in whatever he believes in. Right from his University of Lagos days, he had been consistently involved in human rights and democracy agitations. Right from the Epetedo Declaration and like many patriots who had to flee for their lives to exile, Dr Fayemi exhibited valor and bravery of the highest order. The struggle to de-annul June 12 election signaled the steel of character he is made of. He demonstrated uncommon commitment and loyalty to the demilitarization of the Nigerian political space.

“While in exile, he, along with others started the Nigeria Now tabloid which was published to serve as a counter force to military rule in Nigeria. He was the vociferous editor who combined studentship with journalism, activism and diplomacy. For example even though he was pursuing his PhD in King’s College, London under extremely inclement conditions at this time, he was a major protagonist along with other patriots such Tajudeen Abdurahamn and Olu Oguibe in the New Nigeria Forum”.

He went on further: “He coordinated and joined in the many protest rallies held on the streets of London to draw international attention to the many atrocities occasioned by the military rule in Nigeria. It must be noted that his pro-democracy struggle preceded the June 12 election, but the annulment of the election gave him a wider space of involvement that went beyond the New Nigerian Forum’s activism. Providence positioned him ahead of a troubling time to serve as a field worker, organizer, consul, diplomat, courier, intelligence, officer, reporter, radio manager, journalist and advocate.

For example, in spite of the huge gulf in age difference between him and the heavy weight personalities he had to interact with, Dr. Fayemi remained a singular ally that major stakeholders in both NADECO and NALICON had absolute trust in.”

Also Bolanle Bolawole in his article Fayemi: Knight In Glittering Armour which was first published in Sunday Tribune of May 25, 2014 had this to say:

“Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, incumbent governor of Ekiti state going for second term, was a moving spirit behind NADECO Abroad, pillar of the June 12 struggle, and brain behind Radio Kudirat. Were he in the Army, his contributions to the struggle to enthrone democracy qualify him for the epaulette of a full General. Fortunately, he is one of a few of those who toiled for democracy who also have had the opportunity to nurture it. The giant strides he has made in less than four years in Ekiti attest to the view that those who fought for a cause are better able to advance its interests. This is understandable: Those who fought to bring us democracy are more likely to guard it jealously as well as demonstrate a passion to grow it much more than those who stood to be counted as supporters of vile military dictators.”

Again on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at the Auditorium of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Victoria Island, Lagos, Venue of the 60th Anniversary Distinguished Lecture Series of the Institute delivered by Governor Kayode Fayemi, former Foreign Affairs Minister, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, disclosed how Fayemi, whom he described as an “activist governor”,  put his life on the line to set up Kudirat Radio through which NADECO disseminated its messages.

Akinyemi said, “This is a country where people forget things so easily. The governor was the anchor, the motivator, the promoter of what became Kudirat Radio International. At that time, we had a lot of sleepless nights. As you know, we were broadcasting from one of the Scandinavian countries. This was a dangerous mission because you know how they (Abacha junta) went on this spree of assassinations of those that they felt were threats to the regime. But what you didn’t know was that the first radio freedom that was used in this country, he (Fayemi) brought in that radio to Cotonou, Benin Republic. He could have been arrested at the Airport if they had searched his bag and had found transmitters. And how he would have explained his way out of that, we thought of it, but he took the risk.

ohn Kayode Fayemi Ph.D must not run AWAY from the Presidential Contest.

“Well, General Akinrinade and I were on the ground there biting our nails as that plane landed and wondering what would happen, but he brought in the equipment. I’m not going to tell you how we got the equipment into Lagos but they broadcast from Lagos for months while he was then setting up the permanent one. So, that was the risk that he took”. According to the former NADECO chieftain, “Being in exile was not Easter or Christmas for those who were actively involved. And at least, he risked it. We could say he deserves the reward of being a governor because he earned it”.

Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, Director General of NIIA, who also spoke at the occasion, announced  Fayemi’s induction as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.

Flowing from the above, it is evident that Dr John Kayode Fayemi clearly fits into the specifications of the successor, to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari. His Excellency has the requisite educational background as a Scholar of International repute. Age is on his side and his health is not wavering. He has never been indicted for any corrupt practice in governance. He is an orator with power of delivery under any situation. He has the needed social and political connections across the length and breadth of the Nigerian Nation.

With Dr John Kayode Fayemi on ground, which candidate cum successor to President Muhammadu Buhari are we looking for again?

John Kayode Fayemi Ph.D must not run AWAY from the Presidential Contest.

He must throw his hat into the Presidential Political Ring. He has all it takes to be the next President of Nigeria after President Muhammadu Buhari. And he would govern Nigeria justly with laudable achievements to his credit!

JKF MUST NOT RUN AWAY!

JKF MUST CONTEST THE PRESIDENCY!

JKF IS THE BEST CANDIDATE THE APC COULD FIELD TO WIN THE PRESIDENCY!

*Orisalade Adetunji Taiwo wrote in from Upara Orisa/Oluroye House, Aofin Compound, Ilogbo-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

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Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, who is also the chairman of the forum, stated this while featuring on a programme on Arise Television, monitored in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti.

Fayemi said the forum believed that the controversy over VAT required both political and legal measures to be settled.

“But, our take on this is that the Supreme Court should accelerate its decision so that we have clarity over who should be in charge of Value Added Tax, VAT, whether it is the Federal Inland Revenue Service, or states.

“States that have gone to court believe clearly that this responsibility evolves, according to their own understanding, on what the Constitution says.

“The important thing is that our tax system is problematic, confusing, and contradictory. We need to do a lot more to clarify things so that it can give room for more efficient and effective collection of taxes,” Fayemi said.

The governor also emphasised the need to channel borrowed funds to regenerative ventures that would strengthen the nation’s economy and generate more jobs for the citizens.

He said that there was nothing wrong in the recent call by President Muhammadu Buhari for a downward review of the nation’s debt portfolio, owing to the prevailing revenue challenges facing the country.

“The President Buhari administration ought to be commended on the utilisation of money being borrowed. It has utilised these monies more on infrastructure development than consumption which has aided economic growth.

“Clearly, it would be great not to borrow, but it would also be great to redirect the funds that we have to regenerative areas of our economy.

“Realistically, we have a revenue challenge which has not enabled us to build an economy that responds to the yearnings of Nigerians.

“I don’t think there is anything wrong in the president, as a major voice in international affair, particularly in Africa and the black world, calling for a review of debt management and arrangements,” he said.

The chairman of the NGF also called for a comprehensive approach that would complement the National Security Response Strategy in tackling the lingering security challenges facing the nation.

According to him, the challenge ultimately was that we must tackle insecurity not on a state-by-state basis alone.

“Security is a permanent issue on the agenda of our state and as the governor, Ekiti is a state that is on the outer boundary of Northern and Southern Nigeria, right from Kogi and Kwara states.

“Some of the things that happen in the Northern states do have an impact on our security in Ekiti State, just as it does in every other states around us.

“I have argued in the past that there is an inexplicable linkage between the fallout of insurgency and banditry in the Northeast and the Northwest and the kidnapping we are witnessing in some parts of the South.

“Our duty is to ensure that we protect the citizens on our watch and we have been trying to do that consistently.

“We have pulled together joint security initiatives between mainstream security institutions like the Police and the Military and also our own local security base.

“Tackling insecurity should be through a comprehensive approach that will complement the National Security Response Strategy and reduce this scourge that we are experiencing in the country,” he said.

Lending his voice to the new Petroleum Industry Act, the NGF chairman said: “We do not believe that the Ministry of Finance (incorporated) and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources should be the sole owners of the company that have emerged out of the Petroleum Act.

“We believe that the entire body of petroleum institution is the product of the federation and not only the Federal Government.

“And, we have suggested that the one body that belongs to both the Federal, State, and Local Governments is the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority in which we (the states) are all shareholders.

“And, if it is held in trust by the authority, then we are a lot more comfortable in seeing that as a federation company rather than a Federal Government company.

“The second concern that we have expressed relates to the depletion of the federation account by the various percentages that have been earmarked for frontier states and host communities of the petroleum product without prejudice to what the host communities deserve,” he said.

On the 2023 general elections, Fayemi predicted victory for the APC.

He said: “Contentions are always going to happen. APC is a big party with different tendencies and there will be contentions for and against.

“We are very confident that this party will produce the next government in this country in 2023, but before we get there, we are more focused on the country now.

“The party is more interested in the stability and security of Nigeria. What is happening internally is something we will resolve internally,” he said.

Source: NAN

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ASP Sunday Abutu, the spokesman for the police in the state, confirmed the incident and described it as “unfortunate and regrettable.’’

Abutu said the gunmen stormed the traditional ruler’s palace on Thursday and abducted him.

“Yes, the incident happened yesterday, (Thursday night) at the Oba’s palace. We are already doing everything necessary to rescue him and apprehend the culprits,’’ he said.

Sources in Ilemeso told newsmen that the gunmen, numbering six scaled the Oba’s fence and fired several shots into the air to scare its occupants.

They said the incident happened at about 8.30 p.m. on Thursday night when the chiefs who visited the place had left.

“After they gained entry, the gunmen asked after the Oba which showed that they really came for him,’’ one of the sources said.

Ilemeso is a neighbouring town to Isan Ekiti, country home of Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Oba Adetutu Ajayi, the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, narrowly escaped kidnap at Isan Ekiti, last week on the Ewu-Ayetoro Road.

Source: NAN

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The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Akin Omole, announced on Sunday evening, in Ado Ekiti, that the state government had imposed an 8.00 pm to 6.00 am daily curfew across the state.

Omole said in a statement that government had equally banned all public gatherings of more than 20 people, anywhere in the state until further notice.

“These restrictions take effect from Monday, January 11, 2021 at 6:00 a.m.  These drastic steps, as approved by Governor Kayode Fayemi, are as a result of the alarming rate at which the second wave of COVID-19 is spreading in Nigeria and elsewhere,” he said.

According to him, there was the need for government to be proactive and take decisive steps, to secure the citizens from falling victims of the pandemic that had claimed thousands of lives across the globe.

He urged the people to continue to strictly observe to COVID-19 protocols, and also abide by the curfew and new restrictions placed on public gatherings by the government.

Omole also called on the people to ensure that they wore their nose masks properly, washed their hands with soap and used hand sanitizer regularly, as well as kept social distance, to avoid contracting the virus.

He added that the 8.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. curfew imposed throughout the state would be strictly enforced, except for those that were on essential services, while the ban on all public gatherings, of more than 20 people, should be strictly observed, to avoid penalties.

The commissioner announced that the government would, however, allow faithful to observe two services of their religious worships on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, accordingly, but that all the services must not extend beyond 2.00 p.m. on the days.

To facilitate the services, all worship centres would be expected to provide necessary facilities for hand washing, soap and hand sanitizer at the entrance, while infrared thermometers should be used to take worshippers’ temperature before being allowed in for the service, Omole said.

He added that the State COVID-19 Response Committee, and other relevant enforcement agencies, would be monitoring compliance with all the renewed directives, warning that any person or group of persons caught violating the measures would be dealt with according to the law.

The commissioner called on all top government functionaries, at the state and local government levels, including Council Chairmen, traditional rulers and law enforcement agencies, to obey the protocols themselves, as well as monitor compliance, and report promptly any violators to the COVID-19 Response Taskforce.

The statement assured that government would continue to do all within its power, to ensure that the second wave of the pandemic did not have a foothold in the state.

It would be recalled that during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020, the government applied similar measures, over several months, affecting virtually all areas of life, including commercial activities, offices, schools, social activities, markets, as well as worship centres, among others.

Source: NAN

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Governor Kayode Fayemi who reeled out new guidelines to curb the second wave of COVID-19 in a state broadcast Wednesday evening said the step became necessary to ensure that the situation did not snowball out of control.

Fayemi said security agencies had been given strict instructions to the taskforce and law enforcement agents to begin aggressive compliance enforcement of the new rules in public places.

Affected by the latest restrictions are worship centres which have been directed to return to one service on worship days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday and they are to do so at half of the sitting capacity of the worship centre.

The governor directed that schools in the state would  remain closed till January 18 while vigils, partying and clubbing were suspended till further notice.

Fayemi directed that civil servants on Grade Level 12 and below are to stay at home till January 18 when they would be directed on when to resume back at their desks.

Government officials, he noted, were to discourage in-person meetings as much as possible and that no government official must been seen in the public without wearing facemasks.

According to him, restrictions regarding wedding and burial ceremonies remained in force directing that there should be no crowd in the church auditorium and burial services must be at the graveside only.

Supermarkets, event centres, hotels and bar owners, he added, were to strictly ensure that social distancing measures were put in place and followed accordingly.

The governor said only half of the full sitting capacity of a facility could be allowed to participate in any ceremony/programme at any point and activities should not exceed 8pm.

Dr. Fayemi said: “In Ekiti here, as at two days ago, we had done a total of 7, 890 tests with 405 confirmed cases since the outbreak. We have about 30 active cases currently under treatment in our isolation centre.

“One frightening fact about these figures however is that we have recorded about 15 cases out of about 170 tests conducted in the last one week. This is near 10 per cent confirmed cases as against the less than 5 per cent that we used to have at the beginning of the pandemic, earlier in the year.

“Things were not this bad when we imposed strict restrictions on the state at the outset of the breakout of the pandemic in March. Government is therefore very disturbed with the rising figure and its implications on our fragile health facilities and economic wellbeing.”

He added: “We understand the importance of this season in our religious life as a people, we however must prioritise public health above other considerations; therefore, we expect churches to observe the service in strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols such as hand washing, use of hand sanitizers, observation of the approved social distance and to allow only half of the sitting capacity of the church to partake in the service.

“In addition, protocols regarding wedding and burial ceremonies remain in force. There should be no crowd in the church auditorium and burial services must be at the graveside only.

“Supermarkets, event centres, hotels and bar owners are to strictly ensure that social distancing measures are put in place and followed accordingly.

“Only half of the full sitting capacity of a facility can be allowed to participate in any ceremony/programme at any point and activities should not exceed 8.00pm. Partying, clubbing and vigils are suspended indefinitely until further notice.

“To ensure that things do not snowball out of control, we have given strict instructions to the taskforce and law enforcement agents to begin aggressive compliance enforcement activities in public places, including worship centres, event centres, markets, supermarkets, bars and hotels. Government will not hesitate to close down any facility indefinitely, and to prosecute operators of any public places, flouting the protocols,” he added.

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The forum disclosed this in a communiqué signed by its chairman and ogvernor of Ekiti State, KayodeFayemi, after its 22nd teleconference meeting in Abuja on Friday.

According to the communique, Buhari would particularly speak in the light of attack on farmers in Borno State.

The communiqué said the governors deliberated on issues affecting the country, particularly on national security and the killings of some 43 rice farmers in GarinKwashebe in Jere Local Government Area, Borno.

The communique said that the governors also endorsed two proposals on infrastructure development funds loans.

“The proposals were from Governor Nasir El- Rufai-led National Economic Council (NEC) ad-hoc committee on Leveraging Portion of Accumulated Pension Funds for Investment in the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and the Governor of Central Bank Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele,” it said.

The communique noted that the El Rufai committee briefed the forum on a proposed National Infrastructure Investment Fund, NIIF, under the auspices of the NSIA such that N2 trillion at nine per cent interest could be accessed through the authority.

“The NGF chairman said that the CBN governor has a similar proposal to access N15 trillion for national infrastructure funding through INFRACREDIT at a lower interest rate of five per cent,” it said.

The communique further said that both proposals were not mutually exclusive and could be adopted simultaneously with one streaming into the other.

The communique also said the NGF maintained its stance that stamp duties belonged primarily to states and the various collection platforms were channels of payment to the states, while aligning with the guidance provided by its lawyers and experts.

The forum agreed to: “direct State Attorneys-General to review the Water Resources Bill and send their input to the NGF secretariat as quickly as possible;

“Agreed to keep active and operational the State COVID -19 Task Force Teams and Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs).

“This is in addition to ensuring the prompt release of funds as outlined in the State Incidence Action Plans (IAP), keeping temporary treatment centres open, ramping up COVID-19 testing across the country.

“Also to support the planned “COVID-19 Testing Week’ to be launched by the Presidential TaskForce.

“Commit to achieving the second Eligibility Criteria (EC) requirement of publishing online their approved financial year (FY21) Annual State Budget, prepared under the National Chart of Accounts, by Jan. 31, 2021.

“Governors also restated their commitment to implement reforms associated with the programme including the deployment of a Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to support effective land administration and an efficient property tax system,” it said.

On strike, the governors encouraged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to hasten implementation of the truce elements in their resolutions to allow schools reopen immediately.

It added that the forum was currently intervening in resolving the lingering ASUU strike and had secured certain concessions from the federal government with the hope that the strike would be called off shortly.

Source: NAN

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Dr Fayemi, who stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Olumilua at his country home in Ikere Ekiti, said himself  and his Ondo State counterpart, Mr Olurotimi Akeredolu, had commenced discussion on how best to honour the deceased and give him a memorable burial without breaching the COVID-19 protocols.

He said the governments of the two states would discuss with the family of the late former governor and agree on the burial arrangements, adding that the late Olumilua was a man of many parts who was governor of Ondo and Ekiti states at the time he was Governor between 1992 and 1993.

According to Dr Fayemi, Evangelist Olumilua spent 80 glorious years full of sacrificial services and commitment to his country home and the globe before he breathed his last.

The governor, who was received by the eldest son of the deceased and Ekiti State Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Aare Olumuyiwa Olumilua, the two wives of the deceased, Evangelist Bolatito and Barrister Oluwayimika Olumilua; family members and other sympathisers, described the former governor as a man of peace, a man of purpose and a man of character who was dedicated to service of the people, his community and God to the best of his ability.

Commenting on the political life of the Ikere born politician, Fayemi said, “Evangelist Olumilua was integrity personified, compassion personified, a man of reputable character who reflected and represented the best of Ekiti in the numerous capacities that he served the state, the nation and the globe.”

He said Evangelist Olumilua’s death was not a loss to Ondo and Ekiti states alone but “a loss to Nigeria and the whole world, because he was a man of international standard.”

Governor Fayemi, who said the late Olumilua lived a good and fulfilled life, stated that the transition of the former governor should be celebrated and not mourned.

The governor said: “I am not here to mourn, Ekiti people are here to celebrate and I can see Ekiti elders who are here as well, to celebrate with the family. Not that we shall not miss him, of course we will miss him.

“Baba has done well for us and we owe him immeasurably. Ekiti people would find most appropriate way to honour him, of course in conjunction with our brothers and sisters in Ondo State.

“But much more importantly, we like him for who he was, for the services he rendered, for his commitment to his people and we thanked God that he lived up to 80, and these were 80 glorious years.

Fayemi disclosed that the former governor, during his lifetime, served as chairman of the Pilgrims Commission, Chancellor of the Ekiti State University, served under the United Nations as diplomat, as well as in the Organization of African Unity, OAU in Addis Ababa.

Fayemi wrote in the condolence register:  “A father in a million you were. You served well and we pray your soul rests in perfect peace. On behalf of my wife, Bisi, the government and good people of Ekiti State, we pray to God Almighty to take you into His bosom and also for your family to have the courage and fortitude to bear this irreplaceable departure. Adieu Daddy, Adieu!”

Earlier, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua, who spoke on behalf of the family, said his father lived a good and fulfilled life that called for celebration instead of mourning.

He thanked the governor for finding time to commiserate with the family.

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You must have seen the viral video of Mr. Femi Adeoye, the Ekiti man who vehemently refused to accommodate his son because he violated the regulations guiding travels within this period of pandemic. That must be one of the most watched clips in recent times. Not even with the ‘drama’ that attended its recording with Mr. Adeoye and his son being the only ‘actors’ in the almost two minutes ‘movie.’

It was not surprising that under 24 hours of the release of that clip, a debate had ensued among Nigerians over the conduct of Citizen Adeoye. It was a matter of arguments for and against the decision to reject an erring son by a no-nonsense father even in the face of clear and present danger to his life.

A true and caring father would not, under any circumstance, throw out his son, some argued. Many backed their sentiments with the Yoruba saying ‘A kii le omo buruku fun ekun pa je’ which means “You don’t push out a stubborn child in the way of clear danger as a means of teaching him a lesson.” As it looked truly, it did not appear Citizen Adeoye had any grains of thought for the possibilities of fatal consequences. It did not matter to him. His “No!” was his “No!”

But the opposing camp was quick to laud this father for the principles he displayed even if the interest of his child was involved. Those who held on to the philosophy that it is wrong to push out a terrible child in the way of death also forget that the Yoruba people also support Adeoye’s action with the saying that “Tori ti omo o ba daran, lose n loruko” meaning that it is for the child to carry the brunt of his self-inflicted woes that he carries a different identity and name.”

These seemingly contradictory philosophical stances are part of the rich Yoruba heritage that seeks most importantly to guide human conducts, serve as models for acceptable norms in order to build stable, prosperous and orderly societies.

When you stray out of these jealously guarded behavioural patterns, you were mostly likely to become alienated from your people who hold tenaciously to the ideals of a good and morally upright society.

Sadly, that era passed by, leaving behind a topsy-turvy in moral conducts with the society being worse off.

I am aware of the grave concerns a few of the political leadership in Yorubaland have nursed over the prevalent moral decadence that has robbed the Yoruba of their legendary and historical identity.

Even in the pursuit of the greatest good for the greatest number of their people, revamping, reawakening and reinvigorating that moral consciousness has remained a focal point in recent times. I am aware this has been an area of the concerns under the auspices of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN).

Towards value regeneration and re-orientation, no moment could have therefore been more auspicious for leadership to make loud statements than the one seized by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

The invitation to Citizen Adeoye and his appointment as a member of the Covid-19 Task Force in Ekiti plus a letter of commendation represents a major promotion of the integrity, honesty and selflessness that the Yoruba are known for.

The governor’s action practically silenced the other side of the debate. It simply elevated Adeoye to the level of a hero and a good specimen to be replicated everywhere.

In an age where parents race to hire lawyers for their advanced fee fraudster children, the action of Citizen Adeoye stands out as one worthy of celebration.

Adeoye’s reason was unmistakable. He had heard of the news of a pregnant woman who sneaked into Ekiti carrying coronavirus with her. Her mission to Ekiti has further complicated the situation of the state, infecting others in the trail of her movements and therefore threatening the wellbeing of the Ekiti people.

A quick look at the channels through which coronavirus has snaked its way through the world, one is left with no other conclusion that great indiscretions have been mostly responsible. Sentimental reasoning and compromising; lack of disclosures of status by infected persons, indiscriminate journeys and all that keep shooting the figures up. It becomes much more threatening bearing in mind the very weak system that pervades our health institutions especially when juxtaposed with the frightening rates at which corpses are being piled up at morgues and lined up at cemeteries in countries we used to envy as the bastions of reliability in healthcare delivery.

With Kano and some other states of the Northern extraction on Nigeria’s lap, we sure have complicated the spread of the pandemic in what now appears like a burgeoning the country is battling with.

Adeoye therefore comes in time as a good ambassador in preaching the gospel of coronavirus which calls for respect of the laid down protocols irrespective of family sentiments.

Who else could be more fittingly appointed if not a man who was ready to sacrifice his own son if only to sound the warning to others against sabotaging the efforts of those battling to extinguish this fire?

And this is where proactive leadership comes in. In Kano and some other Northern states, all we saw were some religious leaders standing before huge congregations to deride coronavirus and the efforts on coronavirus as a scam. “Babu Corona” simply became the sad chorus of the choreographed laziness of the political elite that chose to look the other way. The outcome was that the cemeteries suddenly woke up to a flurry of grave diggings in response to rising deaths.

But those same clerics, in my opinion, were the same tools that ought to have been employed as megaphones to preach the coronavirus messages if the leadership had woken up to its responsibilities early enough.  Still, loss of values in leadership!

Even if many do not see the immediate nexus, this is to say that the myriads of the problems we have stem from the loss of values which the forbearers held so golden.

Shortly after the current Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, assumed the leadership of Osun, he embarked on what didn’t quite appear to many as a priority at the time. The Governor saw that at the heart of the complex situations of the economy, politics, education, religion and social life was a loud disappearance of the values, which the Yoruba speaking of Nigerians were noted for.

The Omoluabi ethos, those highly revered age-long traditions of respect, integrity, honesty, truth, commitment, loyalty, hard work and industry were missing and the impact of that absence of valued ethos on the general wellbeing of the society was becoming too alarming.

That is why today, should you demand from Aregbesola what, of all his achievements while in Osun, appears to him most cherished and impactful, he is not likely to list his gigantic schools or his legacy roads or even the thousands of direct and indirect jobs his government created. He is more certainly to inform you that he cherishes the realization that after his eight years, the orientation of the people, especially the youths, had considerably changed from what it was prior his arrival as Governor.

Value re-orientation, many at the helms of leadership are yet to fathom, constitutes a major plank of rebuilding the society’s economy, education, enterprises and even religious uprightness.

In 2012, a Nigerian from Ibadan, who had studied at Harvard and been exposed to the need for value orientation, Adewale Ajayi, published his book, Omoluabi 2.0: A Code of Transformation in 21 Century Nigeria.

Interestingly, Governor Fayemi, it was who provided a foreword to that book stamping Ajadi’s concerns and erudite propositions on how to bring back the good old days of values.

In an age where parents race to hire lawyers for their advanced fee fraudster children, the action of Citizen Adeoye stands out as one worthy of celebration.

In 2019, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission disclosed that mothers of “yahoo-yahoo” boys were already forming associations across the country. Those were supposed to be some form of pressure groups to fight it out with government and security agencies what they considered to be “unfair” treatment and harassment of their children.

Even at the level of institutions, the virus has infected the very basis of existence to the extent that governments are up for the defence of the blatantly wrong against what is patently right.  In the face of a spread of such moral retrogression, there is no way we won’t celebrate whenever we see some fine specimen out of the heaps of rot.

*Semiu Okanlawon, journalist, communication and political consultant wrote via sokanlawon67@gmail.com His Twitter handle is @sokanlawon

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Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment of the explosion site on Saturday in Lagos, the chairman of the forum, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, said that the donation was contributions from the 36 governors that made up the forum.

Recall that the Lagos State government set up a N2 billion relief fund in the wake of the explosion, which occurred on Sunday, March 15 that claimed many lives and property.

The state government had made an initial donation of N250 million into the fund, while calling on well-meaning Nigerians to assist.

Fayemi, who is the governor of Ekiti, said that the governors would also review the donation and further contribute to the fund on a state by state basis.

The NGF’s chairman was accompanied by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State to assess the depth of damage at the scene.

“I want to offer our condolences for the lives that had been lost and our commiseration to all the people who may have been connected to what happened here directly or indirectly, we pray for an avoidance of such an unfortunate incident in future.

“Also, on behalf of my colleagues, I am glad that Lagos State has moved in, to quickly demolish a lot of the properties along these lines, so that future occurrence of this can be avoided and urban planning regeneration of the environment can also commence.

“We are aware of the relief fund that the Lagos State government has announced, and I have the authority of my colleagues in the governors’ forum to contribute N200 million to the recovery and relief activities that has already commenced,” Fayemi said.

He commended the Lagos State government for being able to manage the situation thus far, and urged people to desist from building on pipelines.

According to Fayemi, from findings, there is the indiscriminate nature of construction of private buildings in the explosion scene, which ought not be so.

“And it also speaks of the challenge that we have always confronted, in terms of federal-state relations.

“This is an area that has been occupied by Federal Housing Authority for a long time, although the governor of the state holds this land in trust for the people of Lagos State.

“There has been a whole back and forth as to the ownership and who disposed of this place, in order for Lagos to be able to do what they would have loved to do in terms of regeneration, and planning of this place.

“But given what has transpired, I think it is also an opportunity in the adversity that people have experienced here to do something about pipeline construction, particularly oil pipeline construction that traverse the length and breadth of this country.

“And in Lagos alone, this is not the first incident of this nature. There had been a number of incidents along pipeline corridor that also resulted in damage of property and loss of lives before now in Ijegun, in Abule Egba, in other parts of Lagos.

“So, for us, it is both an on-the-spot assessment as to the recommendation we will make at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on how to tackle this perennial problem and what to do with the relocation, protection of at least all lives and property, along pipeline corridor,” Fayemi said.

Source: NAN

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