He was kidnapped on Saturday while driving on the Agbado-Ekiti/Imesi-Ekiti Road.

According to the APC Publicity Secretary in Ekiti State, Mr Segun Dipe, the gunmen shot at one of his tyres to stop him.

READ ALSO: Ogun: Gunmen kill pastor, abduct seven church members

His words: “The chairman was driving in a Toyota Venza car when the assailants seized him.

“The gunmen shot at one of his tyres to immobilise the vehicle after which they seized and drove him off in a Toyota Hilux van.

He was alone in the car when the incident happened.

“Security agencies – the police and Amotekun Corps (the Southwest security outfit) – have been alerted and they are working on the incident.’’

The post Ekiti: Gunmen kidnap APC chairman appeared first on Frontpageng.

This clarification was made by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communication,  Mr. Segun Dipe.

He said it was a fallacy and a misrepresentation of Fayemi’s personality and conduct that he was nursing a presidential ambition towards 2023.

The governor’s aide said those who were spreading such rumour must have been studying Fayemi from afar and must have misread his relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari, thus taking his reconciliatory efforts for an ambition-driven one.

According to Dipe, while Fayemi could be seen as eminently qualified and a sellable personality from the South West, he would rather prefer his intention to be understood as playing a crucial role of bridge-building among the state governors whose forum he chairs at present, and not of any subterranean move towards 2023.

“Fayemi is a sitting governor and he chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. He enjoys these roles and he is playing them to the best of his ability. His objective is that of engaging in processes such as negotiation, mediation, conciliation, and arbitration in order to move a seemingly violent conflict into non-violent dialogue, where differences are settled through conflict transformation processes or through the work of representative political institutions.”

Dipe said if Fayemi was seen as commanding respect among his colleagues across parties, it was because he desired and preached peace among them.

“He is interested in what is happening in every part of the country and, like he himself once stated, anything that affects the peace of any state governed by a member of the NGF would surely affect the solidarity of the forum.”

According to Dipe, Fayemi is not a stranger to bridge-building and peacemaking.  As a Doctor of War Studies with specialisation in civil-military relations, he once worked as a director of the Centre for Democracy and Development, peace-building and human security in Africa.

He added that he is also a Fellow of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the African Centre for Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Fort Mcnair, Washington DC, U.S.A, among other roles that are synonymous with ensuring that there is peace in the society.

“People like Fayemi bring people together. You find them in all kinds of places and in all kinds of circumstances. They are very lovable people who wish the very best for other people. Despite that his action as a peacemaker and reconciliator means a lot to other people, the governor is a modest person and he is focused on other people’s happiness.

“As a bridge builder, Fayemi is never pushy; he just wants everyone around him to find peace and achieve happiness. The governor no doubt knows a lot of people and doesn’t fail to bring everybody together; he listens carefully and is sincerely interested in how everyone is doing. Like any other bridge-builder in the world, Fayemi likes to help to connect people, he is quick at recognising what someone else needs and his mind starts searching for ways to help the other person move ahead,” Dipe said.

The post 2023: Fayemi’s bridge-building effort not presidential ambition appeared first on Frontpageng.

As the Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi CON, marks his 55th Birthday on Sunday 9 February, it is important to felicitate with him and to wish him longevity and ascendance to greater heights.

Fifty-five is an angel number and it is a sign that major life changes are coming. As a master number, 55 is the number of independence, freedom, and self-determination. Fayemi himself knows what transformation he is expecting the age to throw on his laps as against those identified. Even in the midst of cutting of cake and clinking of glasses, the attention of the “Birthday Boy” will focus on the greater responsibility, which life and circumstances have donned on him like a big cloth.

Fayemi is not a stranger to any form of political struggle. Struggle, generally, is his life and success his constant goal. After stints in academia and activism, Fayemi espouses progressive and modern politicking. He is also well-liked on all sides of the political divide. He is today the poster boy of inclusive democracy in Nigeria.

Fayemi has been living the life of struggle and service since his young adult days. He has lectured in Africa, Europe, the Americas and Asia. He has also served as an adviser on transitional justice, regional integration, constitutionalism, security sector reform and civil-military relations issues to various governments, inter-governmental institutions and development agencies. He was the main technical adviser to Nigeria’s Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (Oputa Panel), which investigated past abuses and currently serves on the Presidential Implementation Committees on Security Sector Reform, NEPAD and the Millennium Development Goals.

In the sub-region, Fayemi was technical expert to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on small arms and light weapons and United Nations Economic Commission of Africa on governance issues. He is also a member, Africa Policy Advisory Panel of the British Government. At other times he has served as a consultant to the OECD on Security Sector Reform and chaired the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative’s Committee of Experts on developing guiding principles and mechanisms of constitution making in Commonwealth Africa

When it was the least convenient for him, Fayemi threw himself into the ring to fight for the entrenchment of democratic tendencies across Africa. As a young adult, he protested apartheid in South Africa, fought against the military junta in his home country, Nigeria and pitched his tent with the progressives to berth a new democratic dispensation. He is currently serving as a second-term governor of Ekiti State, chairman of the governors’ forum, first to have emerged from the South West region and a strong pillar of progressive politics in Nigeria.

For Fayemi therefore, service to others is a strong ingredient of success. He has imbibed the belief of Mahatma Gandhi that the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. But this does not mean that he has won all the battles that have confronted him in his political journey. Currently, the Yoruba, the land of his birth, is in a conundrum, and beckons at the 55-year-old Fayemi as a strong political leader whose strategy is required for the restoration of the race.

Of all the regions that make up Nigeria, the South West, mainly occupied by the Yoruba, presents the country with unique political and social quandary. The race is expected to become the economic showpiece and powerhouse, but it is currently facing a socio-political crisis of historic proportion. Its political relevance, which was always relied on in the democratic journey of the country, is on trial. The general consensus is that the leaders of thought in Yorubaland would need to cultivate a Fayemi-like leadership style in their discussion about resolving their present conundrum.

At 55, posterity beckons on Fayemi to put his political dexterity to use in salvaging the Yoruba race from quandary. In this age of unprecedented complexity, this can be very challenging, but Fayemi is already well tested and trusted for the challenge. He is a transformational leader who tends to lead by example and who tends to get the best out all circumstances with relative ease. He uses rapport, inspiration and empathy to engage followers. He earns trust from every stakeholder in the Nigerian project, and from all sides. This makes it easy for him to influence people positively.

It is in this season of anomie that Fayemi must throw himself into the fray. The more challenging the situation, the higher the stakes, and the more imperative it is that a leader behaves in a trustworthy manner. Even as he takes a hard-nosed, clear-eyed approach to tackling the people’s problem, Fayemi cannot afford to tread the popular path. He must consciously and conscientiously present himself as a stalwart source of reliability and strength that is lacking elsewhere. The people are looking for someone who will not sit on the fence when the chips are down. They want a leader who will choose to take responsibility, own the issue, hold himself and others accountable, make a plan to fix it, execute the plan, and move on. Yet such a leader must be ready for brickbats, as his intentions will surely be misread.

Fayemi is tough-minded on issues and standards, but tender-hearted with people. He is a leader who owns and addresses issues. He is a bridge-builder who looks outward for solutions instead of retreating inward into isolation. Rather than finding ways to avoid, delay or minimize tough situations, Fayemi would proactively lean on to it. He would rather speak the truth than parry it. Instead of deflecting, he would choose to take responsibility for fixing a problem and wrestle it to the ground. He doesn’t spread blame, he owns and addresses it.

With this kind of Fayemi leadership style, there is optimism and possibility for a positive solution to the Yoruba leadership conundrum in the near future. The kind of leadership needed by the race is not dominance but bridge-building and consensus. There must be frank, awkward and, sometimes uncomfortable conversation among the people. They must try to recognise that they need to throw up a leader, who appreciates the fact that the other groups are as nervous about having sincere discussion about collective responsibility as they also are.

It is only by giving a transformational leader like Fayemi a chance to play a prime role, that the race can ward off its ill effects, stereotypes and assumptions. Otherwise, ungrounded fears, and racial anxieties will linger into the future. This is the role Fayemi must be willing to play as he marks his 55 years birthday. This is his birthday challenge

• Dipe is Senior Special Assistant (Public Communications) to the Governor, Ekiti State.

The post Fayemi @ 55 and his birthday challenge, By Segun Dipe appeared first on Frontpageng.

When we talk about power politics, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State, now national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is not a starter. He knows one or two things about it, having fought several battles for and against power. One of the refrains he often borrows is that Power is never served a la carte.

A letter is currently in circulation titled: “A Call to Save APC in Ekiti State”, purportedly written by those who described themselves as “Ekiti APC Stakeholders.” The signatories to the letter are Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator Anthony Adeniyi, Hon. John Akinleye, Hon. Ife Arowosoge, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo and Otunba Ben Oguntuase. They all belong to two camps: the Ojudu camp and the Oni camp.

We need to react to the content of the letter, rant by rant.

First, the identity of those behind it is predictably rebellious and self-seeking. Apart from Ben Oguntuase who can claim to be a genuine ally and beneficiary of Engr. Segun Oni, Ojudu, Adeniyi, Oyetunde Ojo and Ife Arowosoge are known for their opportunism and their trademark is always biting the fingers that feed them.

The title of the letter: “A call to save APC in Ekiti State” is conflicting, confusing and mischievous. Or how do you save a party that is not in crisis? Undoubtedly, APC is currently having its best of time in Ekiti State. Even the blind and the deaf within and outside of Ekiti would attest to the fact that the APC is the party in the state. It is the party in power and the party in politics. Ever since its candidate won the governorship election, the party has continued to soar, and not only is it winning elections, it is being commended for winning them fair and square.

During the last presidential and national assembly elections, Ekiti was commended by the Independent National Electoral Commission, for peaceful conduct of election. APC won fair and square. The feat was again repeated in the State Assembly elections, which the party won landslide. Certainly, the party should be commended and not condemned for recording such achievements.

The stakeholders said they were alarmed by various media reports, online and print, reporting the suspension of Chief Segun Oni, a former Governor of Ekiti State and former Deputy National Chairman (South) of APC. They also accused the top echelons of the party and the government in the state of being the masterminds.

But, is to be forewarned not to be forearmed? (Latin: Praemonitus, praemunitus). Have these ones forgotten how some party chieftains led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande warned Oni not to embark on the journey to perdition? Apart from the Tinubu-Akande peace move, there were other moves made by the APC Elders Forum headed by Chief George Akosile as well as the efforts by Ekiti Council of Elders and several Ekiti Obas, all of which Oni ignored. Truth, they say, is the first casualty of war. But there is another casualty as well: trust. As conflict escalates, trust between people and political leaders crumbles away as surely as night follows day.

Was Engr. Oni not thoughtful of this? Was he expecting his kinsmen who counseled him not to go to court, to warmly embrace him on his return? What did the party constitution say about such an act?

Article 21 of the party constitution talks about the discipline of party members. It states that the party shall have power to discipline party members and that such powers shall be exercised on behalf of the Party by the respective Executive Committee of the Party at ALL levels, including the ward level and down to the polling unit.

Article 21B(iv.) states expressly that the “Executive Committee of the Party at the level where a complaint or allegation is made shall have original jurisdiction to hear and determine such complaint or allegation provided that the assumption of jurisdiction by such Executive Committee shall not breach the rules of fair hearing.

To support the disciplinary action, the provision in article 21B(vi.)(a) states that “The Ward Executive shall be the adjudicatory body of first instance over complaint and or allegation from the Polling Unit level.”

What then is “unfortunate” in the allegation of anti-party raised against Engr. Segun Oni who shunned the counsel of his people? Do the ward exco need anyone’s prodding to express their displeasure?

Listed among the offences for which the executive committee can discipline any erring member is the filing of an action in a court of Law against the Party or any of its officers on any matter relating to the discharge of the duties of the Party without first exhausting all avenues for redress. This is clearly spelt out and provided for in Article 21A(x) of the party constitution.

So, where is the hand of Governor Fayemi in the action of the Ward Exco, that is constitutionally empowered?

The Stakeholders also accused Dr. Fayemi of using his influence as Minister of the Federal Government to place his cronies and lackeys in Federal position and when he became Governor, he recycled the same set of people into State positions to the exclusion of other tendencies within the Party on the State.

Really? So this is very easy to do, yet Senator Babafemi Ojudu, as the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, has not been able to do it for any of his followers all these while? Do we now assume that Dr. Fayemi recognises and compensates loyalty while Senator Ojudu does not? Did Segun Oni not compensate some of his loyalists, even as Deputy National Chairman of the party?

The stakeholders boasted in the letter that they rallied together to ensure the victory of our party in the July 2018 Governorship election, not minding the self-serving, monopolistic tendencies of Dr. Fayemi. They were however economical with the truth here by not mentioning the efforts of Dr. Fayemi in rallying together all stakeholders immediately after the primaries towards the election proper, waved an olive branch to all other aspirants who contested against him and  stretched an arm of fellowship to everyone.

Perhaps the APC would have won the election by more than 19,338 votes, as the signatories alleged, if the likes of Senator Ojudu had actually backed the party’s candidate by voting in the election or mobilising their followers to support Dr. Fayemi’s candidacy. Rather, both Oni and Ojudu simply asked their followers to vote for any candidate of their choice. Their wish for the declaration of the election inconclusive and re-run ordered didn’t materialise after all.

Another allegation that they all rallied together again for the Party during the Presidential election couldn’t have been further from the truth. Senator Ojudu, for instance owes his fellow stakeholders the explanation of his whereabouts during that election, and what efforts he made at mobilising for the election or subsequent ones in our dear state. It would have been much better if they had toed the so called rebellious path. At least, other party faithful would have seen them for what they truly are, and treat them as such.

Where the letter writers were most uncharitable is their allegation that Fayemi was managing APC in Ekiti more exclusively than inclusively. To the exclusion of who, one may ask?

Let these facts speak for themselves:

No fewer than 33 aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) slugged it out at the primaries, among who Fayemi emerged as the party’s candidate for the 14th July 2018 election. They included Engr. Segun Oni and Senator Ojudu, the two masterminds of the letter.

Other aspirants included Senator Gbenga Aluko, Hon. Femi Bamisile, Dr. Wole Oluyede, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Ayo Arise, Dr. Wole Oluleye and Dr. Adebayo Orire.

Others are Mr. Kola Alabi, Mr. Kayode Ojo, Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua, Mr. Victor Kolade, Mr. Debo Ajayi, Chief Dele Okeya, Chief Diran Adesua, Chief Sesan Fatoba, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, Mr. Olumuyiwa Coker and Deacon Adekunle Esan.

The rest are Mr. Dipo Ogunkoyode, Mr. Bodunde Adeyanju, Captain Sunday Adebomi, Otunba Bisi Aloba, Otunba Yinka Akerele, Hon. Charles Dahunsi, Mr. Ajayi Olowo, Prince Tosin Olofinluyi and Mrs. Taye Matesun.

Today, four of these guber aspirants who vied with Fayemi are in his cabinet. They include Yaya Kolade, Olumilua, Victor Kolade and Faparusi. Femi Bamisile and Opeyemi Bamidele won elections into the National Assembly, Dele Okeya is on the Board of Odua Investments Company. Dr. Orire is the Chairman of the State Health Management Board, Afuye is in the House of Assembly. Others have opted to be nominated for federal appointments.

Engr. Segun Oni was offered a ticket to the senate, which he turned down.

The claim of the “stakeholders” about Fayemi and his clique’s continual run of the party as a cult is also debunked by the current composition of the Fayemi cabinet and other aides, which comprises followers of most of these aspirants, including those of Ojudu and Oni.

Certainly, most of them do not know about the group and its letter, let alone share its biases. Or do they?

The wish that a blossoming party like ours in Ekiti would go into extinction is, without doubt, evil, much worse than what they claimed happened in Ondo, Ogun, Oyo and Imo States. For instance, Senator Ojudu claims that some people were disenfranchised. We challenge him to be more specific about the person he had sponsored for a position but was stopped from contesting by Fayemi or any party leader. Each of the signatories has his conscience to fight on what they had benefited from Fayemi in the past and how their selfishness is now costing them recognition back at home.

While challenging the signatories to the letter to tell us who their co-travellers are, we however understand that as political actors we will not always share the same views or perspectives and hope that they will see the need to set aside real or imagined grievances and join hands with HE Dr Kayode Fayemi as he strives to make Ekiti great again.

Setting Ekiti APC members against one another for personal agenda at this point is a No-No. Ours is now a formidable party. We are the governing party. We have been savoring the sweet victories, turning things around and restoring the values among our people. Our best is yet to come, but our good is here already. We thus will not listen to any naysayer.

As for Gov. Kayode Fayemi who the letter writers intend to drag into an unnecessary controversy, he is just too busy to be distracted. Let the agitating stakeholders try another trick, since this one won’t fly.

*Dipe is the Senior Special Assistant (Public Communication) to the Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State

The post Ekiti APC: Stakeholders and their concerns, By Segun Dipe appeared first on Frontpageng.