The approval followed the passage of a bill for a law to provide for the creation of new Local Government Areas in Ekiti State and other Related Matters (2021).

According to the State House of Assembly, the proposed new LCDAs include: Ado Central, Ado North, Ado West, Ajoni and Gbonyin.

Others are, Ifeloju, Araromi, Ekameta, Ekiti South East, and Ero, Ifedara, Ifesowapo, Igbara Odo/Ogotun, Ikere West and Ikole West.

Meanwhile, the bill had last Wednesday passed all the expected readings and was unanimously passed into law at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Funminiyi Afuye.

The lawmakers expressed optimism that the initiative would further ensure the delivery of the dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

They were unanimous in their call for a speedy passage of the bill which amended the 2014 Principal law.

Governor Kayode Fayemi had on August 4 2014, in the twilight of his first term appointed caretaker chairmen for the 19 LCDAs after their initial creation.

However, former Governor Ayo Fayose, who was awaiting inauguration as the governor-elect at the time kicked against the action and set it aside upon assuming office.

In November 2020, Governor Fayemi, however, set up a committee to look into the creation of LCDAs in the state and review the Local Government Development Council Law, Ekiti State 2014, with relevant recommendations.

The post Ekiti Assembly okays creation of 19 new LCDAs first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

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Evangelist Alofe died on Sunday at the age of 86, family source disclosed.

The source, also hinted  that the  former SSG, who hailed from Ayetoro Ekiti in Ido/Osi local government area of Ekiti State, died after a brief illness.

It would be recalled that Alofe  was appointed SSG by former Governor Ayodele Fayose in 2003, the position he held till 2005 when he was replaced with the late Chief Bade Gboyega.

The deceased was a member of the House of Representatives between 1991 and 93 under the Social Democratic Party (SDP)/ in the old Ondo State.

He was also appointed Senior Special Assistant on Religious Matters by Governor Kayode Fayemi in 2010, when the court of Appeal in Ilorin pronounced him the actual winner of the 2007 governorship and the 2009 rerun elections.

Alofe was at a time a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but he later defected to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)/ in Ekiti State.

However, he has not been seen within the political scene since Fayemi won the second term in 2018.

According to a statement signed by a family “With total submission to the will of Almighty Go, the entire Alofe’s family announce the passing away of our beloved brother, uncle, father and grandfather. He slept in the lord on 25th August 2019 at age 86.

“Funeral arrangements are to be announced by the family in due course”.

The post Ekiti loses ex- SSG, Alofe first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

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Fayose was re-arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court Sitting in Lagos.

The re-arraignment follows the re-assignment of the case to Justice Aneke after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) expressed loss of confidence in Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, who was previously handling it.

Fayose was initially arraigned last October 22 on an 11-count charge of receiving and keeping N1.2billion and $5million stolen funds from the office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) contrary to the Money Laundering Act.

He was also arraigned alongside a company, Spotless Investment Limited.

At the Tuesday’s proceedings, the charges were read again to Mr Fayose and he pleaded not guilty.

Fayose’s  counsel, Ola Olanipekun (SAN) then applied that he should be allowed to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted by Justice Olatoregun.

The EFCC counsel, Adebisi Adeniyi raised no objections and Justice Aneke subsequently admitted the former governor to bail on the terms and conditions earlier granted by Justice Olatoregun.

The court had  earlier Fayose bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.

The judge had also ordered that the governor Fayose  must deposit his passport with the court and must not travel out without the court’s permission.

At proceedings today, Justice Aneke ordered the release of Fayose’s Passport to enable him travel to South Africa for medical treatment.

The judge gave this order after considering an application filed by the former governor to that effect.

Justice Aneke directed that Fayose must return the Passport to the court’s deputy registrar on or before September 16.

He then fixed September 16 to 19 for trial.

The former governor is facing trial in connection with the sums of N1.299 billion and $5.3 million allegedly allocated to him by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) from N4.65 billion slush fund allegedly shared by the ONSA.

Already the EFCC has lined up 22 witnesses, in proof of its case against Fayose and his company, Spotless Limited, which is the second defendant, in the case.

The witnesses include: Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Alex Otti, Ayotunde Owope, Salisu Shuaibu, Jamilu Uba, Imisi Ilesanmi John, Adekunle Adetimehin, Joseph Mechleb, Joseph Ghossen, Mechleb Maroun and Patrick Nimidam.

Others are: Adeyemi Oyindamola, Galatians Olugboyega, Taiwo Olumide Ogundemi, Olukayode Shokunbi.

Also lined up to testify are a Representative of Diamond Bank Plc and a Representative of Zenith Bank, as well as three operatives of the EFCC, Abubakar Madaki, Alexander Precious, Usman Alli, Jackson Edet and Nura Buhari.

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Contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Media and Publicity to the party, Mr. Sam Oluwana, the party wondered why a party will descend so low to attack an individual who is trying so hard to clean up the gargantuan mess it (PDP) has left behind after four years of looting and mis-rule.

On the allegation of the N1.2 billion travelling expenses, the APC spokesman said the statement did not come as a surprise.

“This is a party that was in the saddle for years in the state during which the people were pauperized to the extent of celebrating each time a ‘kongo of rice’ was served to them.

“In its four years of misrule in the state, the PDP, through its prodigal governor, Ayo Fayose, turned the state and the people to beggars that picked crumbs from the table of self-styled master, whose profligate and corrupt practices were of constant embarrassment to the people of the state and Nigerians who are familiar with his moral deficiency .

“The present administration is just settling down to find a way of settling seven month unpaid salaries of civil servants, while contracts awarded in dubious circumstances are being corrected.

“According to reports in the debt management office, made available on its websites. Fayose took the debt profiles of the State from N30 billion in December 31, 2014 to N117.6 billion in December 31, 2017.

“This is a party that found it impossible to pay salaries of workers for 8 months even when it was N18,000, now accusing a state governor of not paying N30,000 minimum wage, which implementation has not commenced in any state in the country.

“Pretending that they are lovers of people, the party in the statement lamented that Dr. Fayemi should be shopping for funds to pay N30,000 minimum wage”, he said.

Oluwalana, who doubled as the SSA (Party Matters) to the Ekiti State Governor, in the statement wondered while PDP is crying more than the bereaved.

He continued, “were they involved in the decision by Dr. Fayemi to pay outstanding salaries/allowances left behind by the PDP government?, were they involved in the decision that led Dr. Fayemi to pay the outstanding pension left behind by the PDP government? Did they force him to increase the pension paid from N10 Million to 100 million Naira monthly.

“During their four year of mis-rule, their master who was inept and ignorant of the workings of a government treated Ekiti people and its workers with scorn and indignity in a brazen manner.

“PDP lacks the moral justification and decency to now turn itself to an advocate of the masses, which they once abandoned and neglected.

“The Ekiti State 2019 budget, which is a total of N129.8billion does not in anywhere show travelling expenses of all workers as anywhere near N1.2billion. Like their stock in trade, they are bandying around fictitious figures. They have only succeeded in confusing themselves.

“The people of Ekiti State have come to appreciate Dr. Fayemi as a trust worthy, prudent and dignified personality who sees himself as servant of people unlike the former PDP governor, who lord it over the people and strust them like the master of manor for the four least years.

“It is as a result of his dignified and sensitive nature that endears him to his peers (fellow Governors) in the country that made them elect him as their Chairman.

“On the issue of SUBEB, the state lost over 2billion Naira during the regime of Fayose due to his refusal to pay the counterpart funds for the project but laundered 500milion Naira paid by Dr. Fayemi during his first term in office.
Few days after his resumption as the State Governor, the same PDP claimed that Dr. Fayemi collected 31 Billion Naira as Paris Fund, now the figure has been lowered to 11 Billion Naira, just like they have lowered their political value in the estimation of the people of state with their latest ranting.

“Another claim that Dr. Fayemi increased his security votes to N250 Billion Naira can only be the thinking of deranged set of people with blocked brain that lack capacity to think rightly”, Oluwalana concluded

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The post Alleged 1.2b travelling budget by Fayemi: PDP’s Season of Hallucination – Ekiti APC appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

According to the governor, the N20bn suit is for placing him on a watch list and directing that he should be arrested, if he attempts to travel out of the country.

Fayose had on September 16, 2018, denied claims that he plans to fly out of the country as soon as his tenure ends.

He alleged the anti-graft agency of putting him on watch-list and insisted that despite intimidation by the EFCC he will remain in the PDP.

The governor further maintained that he was willing to answer any questions they might have for him when he leaves office, stressing that the EFCC’s action is not only a breach of his constitutional immunity but has also exposed him to public ridicule.

Governor Fayose through his counsel, Obafemi Adewale, has given the EFCC 72 hours to withdraw the directive to security agencies to place him on security watch list.

He also wants the anti-graft agency to publish a written in three national newspapers and the social media.

He is further seeking a declaration that the statements contained in a purported letter by the EFCC on September 12, 2018, addressed to all security agencies in Nigeria, portrayed him as a criminal, a fugitive and a run-away from the law, dismissing that the statements are not true, malicious and unfair.

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Fayose was hailed by crowd comprising of market women, kids, aged and youths and his nickname ‘Oshoko’ rented the air on the street of Ado Ekiti as he walked from the Oja Bisi area to the palace of the monarch of Ado Ekiti, the Ewi of Ado, Oba Rufus Adejugbe.

The crowd were extremely excited on seeing him. They prayed for him and wished him well in his future endeavours.

The crowd saw him off to the Ewi palace where the governor reported the security lockdown in the state, particularly as it affects him at the government office to the custodian of culture, calling on the Ewi and other traditional rulers in the state to intervene.

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Governor dressed in complete black attire still wore the neck guide which he had shortly after he alleged he was physically assaulted by security agents on July 11.

“l have come to let you know that before the July 14 election, the government house was invaded by the police and men of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the poll was rigged, over 300 of our members and top government functionaries have been arrested and clamped into detention since then. My wife was also subjected to a 45 minutes harrowing experience while entering the government house shortly before the poll.

“Since the day of the poll, the government office has been shut and my security agents have been withdrawn.

“The July 14 poll has come and gone, and the constitution says until Oct 16, I am still the governor. Since they have left this morning, I felt I should inform you, Ekiti people , Nigerians and international community that l am still being locked at the government office.

“I urge you to help tell the Federal Government and security agents and others that I should be left alone, l and my family have a right to life.

“The man who contested against us is being protected, but my policemen have been withdrawn. I represent Ekiti and was given a mandate of the people. Harassing me is not the best.

“My aides are being harassed, searched, their vehicles up to spare tires and they are being searched even to their pants. I wonder why we should be in this kind of situation ahead of 2019. I want you to intervene please Kabiyesi, ” Fayose reported to the monarch.

Reacting, the Ewi of Ado, who pitied governor Fayose, submitted: “First of all I want to thank God for sparing your life and that up till now, there has not been casualties.

“Before the poll and as if we knew this was going to happen, the council of Obas met with INEC officials, security operatives, party candidates and others and pleaded with all parties that before, during and after the poll, we want peace in Ekiti state, because we are homogenous, Ekiti will remain one forever and whoever wins we will accept.

”It is unfortunate that this kind of thing is happening, the way I see you today in complete black, which is against our custom in the palace. I knew something is happening. I will convey your message to the chairman traditional council of Obas in Ekiti. We had discussed you this morning and wondered where you are.

The monarch continued, ” We use this opportunity too to appeal to the security operatives to, in the name of God restore your security to you. Whatever it is, we are in Ekiti and they should allow us to intervene in this matter, all the three of you in the race, yourself, Professor Olusola Eleka, and Dr. Kayode Fayemi are our sons. You are all our eminent sons that cannot be wished away. We urge all parties to allow peace to reign. We will also get in touch with Dr. Fayemi to use his good office to intervene”.

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According to the commission in a statement signed by its South West monitoring Chief, Proffesor Armstrong Idachaba cited breach of the electoral act and broadcasting code by the media outfit as the governor of the state, Ayodele Fayose went on to announce results in favour of his deputy and PDP’s governorship candidate, Prof Olusola Eleka

#EkitiDecides: Police deploys 30,000 personnel, assures electorate of adequate security

“The Commission has taken the decision to curb the continued breach of the Electoral Act and the Broadcasting Code on Political Broadcast.

” The Commission is particularly irked by the unauthorized declaration of results by the state Governor in the state broadcast station.

“This is after he went on air to make malicious and unsubstantiated comments against INEC, the Police and the SSS.

“The station will remain shut down until further notice”, the statement reads.

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Also, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, Mr Jimoh Moshood, who featured on Channels Television breakfast programme, hinted that the deployment of 30,000 personnel to Ekiti is to ensure adequate security in the nook and cranny of the state before and during the gubernatorial election.

According to him, “Going to Ekiti with 30,000 personnel is to ensure that everything is in order and to guarantee a secure environment for the electorates.

“We are assuring the people of Ekiti that the Nigerian police is apolitical. We don’t belong to APC or PDP, we don’t belong to any political party. There are 35 political parties involved in this and all of them have the right to be protected.

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“Every political party has the right so to be allowed to do what is expected of them in the electoral act. Every party have the right to have their observer and the point where votes are being cast and we have to provide security for this,” he added.

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The group noted that the state has abundant human and material resources that could be deployed for Ekiti economic prosperity, if they are judiciously harnessed by the present administration.

EDF said this in Ikere Ekiti on Wednesday while empowering 150 residents of Ekiti South senatorial district, comprising Ikere, Gbonyin, Ekiti East, Emure, Ekiti Southwest and Ise/Orun councils.

Materials donated include, Clippers, Dryers, sewing machines, compressors, generating sets, mixers, food stuff, washing machines, grinding machines and cash gifts.

The group also flagged off its social security scheme, where beneficiaries will be receiving monthly stipends if criteria set are met in line with the model set by Dr. Kayode Fayemi while superintending over the state.

The EDF Coordinator, Barrister Adeoye Aribasoye, while addressing the beneficiaries, advised that the best way for anyone to escape the menace of poverty is to be economically active.

Aribasoye noted that the self-employment has become the veritable way for people to get engaged in productive jobs with the dearth of white collar jobs at both state and the federal levels.

“There is no job now in the state, because we have a government that can’t think outside the box to create wealth for its people.

“If a government is claiming that it has employed people, it doesn’t mean you have taken them into the state civil service. A government can create opportunities through private individuals and give support to the organizations to be able to pay those in its employ.

“It happened under Governor Kayode Fayemi’s regime when the State Job Creation Agency partnered with private bodies for the training of unemployed graduates for them to be self reliant.

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“ Government at that time would pay for the training and also paid the salaries of those employed by the private organizations for some time.

“We are pleading with you to use this opportunity very well. In a modern economy we are, one can begin a business with little amount and with dedication, he can go places.

“This organization doesn’t believe in tokenism. We could have given you a sachet of rice and N1,000, but these will take you nowhere.

“But with the little we have given you, you can start something on your own and with dedication and commitment to what you are doing, sky would be your starting point”, he said.

Aribasoye assured that the organization will continue to partner with private individuals and philanthropy bodies to put smiles on the faces of the people.

The coordinator said time has come for individuals and organization to begin to champion philanthropic gestures, to serve as a bulwark and reinforce the opportunities for the ones being provided by the government at all levels.

“What we are doing is not politically inclined, we are doing it to reduce poverty. And whatever we give out doesn’t have political colouration. We perceived all Ekiti indigenes as one, whether you are PDP or APC.

“We shall continue to relate with Ekiti people irrespective of class, political affiliations and ethnic affinity, because making Ekiti a good place for all is our utmost aim and that we shall achieve”, he stated.

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The ex- lawmaker informed that Governor Fayose has paved way for Fayemi to win the election on the premise that many of the towns that gave the governor votes in the June 21, 2014 governorship election have not benefitted any democratic dividend since the advent of the present PDP government in the state.

The APC Chieftain stated that the fact that Fayemi was able to spread the democratic goodies across 133 towns while superintending over the state, has reduced the campaign burden and broaden his chances to have a resounding victory in the election.

https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/we-will-liberate-ekiti-from-culture-of-beggary-poverty-brings-by-fayose-ngo/

Bamidele disclosed this in a message sent to APC governorship candidate, Dr Fayemi, signposting his support to the party’s electioneering campaign held in Iyin Ekiti.

According to the message, signed and made available to Mega Icon Magazine by Bamidele’s mouthpiece, Ahmed Salami, urged Ekiti people to embrace the new light Fayemi represents and key into the vision being pioneered by APC to reclaim the state from those that are pillaging the people’s commonwealth.

He said Fayemi exhibited quintessential administrative sagacity to distribute evenly projects midwifed by his administration across the towns and strata of the society, in spite of the dwindling resources at that time.

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Bamidele assured the populace that the APC candidate was more resolute and  better prepared to make Ekiti great if given the second chance to steer the ship of the state.

The message reads, “When the present government in Ekiti came, it came on the popular will of the people and committed itself to citizens’ charter to make Ekiti better than they experienced under Fayemi. Today, the situation has degenerated tremendously to the extent that people now beg to live.

“I am one of those  who have avowed and unwavering belief in the fact that there is no excuse in governance. Dr Fayemi experienced shortfall in the revenues accruing to Ekiti and yet he did his best across all the towns while he also developed human capital via programmes like : Social Security Scheme, Youth in Agriculture, Youth Volunteer Corps, Peace Corps, Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency, among others.

“They complained that Dr Fayemi borrowed money from capital market to achieve those things, all the projects executed under Governor Fayose were financed through loans that had accumulated to the tune of N56 billion today.

“To me and other discernible Ekiti, no excuse in governance and our people are now doing their comparative analyses  based on how they fared under the two governments and they have realized that governance is about proper planning and not for those who were fond of running impulsive policies”, its continued.

Bamidele also saluted Fayemi for reposing confidence in him, even while on the sick bed by retaining him as the campaign Director General, saying he was quite elated to be part of those that would wage the war that will set Ekiti free and put it on a faster track  of economic development.

He praised the courage of those that are holding forth for him while recuperating from the gunshot wounds he suffered a couple of weeks ago during a stampede at a rally organized by the party in Fayemi’s honour, saying God shall crown their efforts with success in this election.

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