...Not afraid of jail, he replied
TODAY, in view of his constructive criticisms and direction offered to the President Muhammadu Buhari’s
administration, the Ekiti State House of Assembly has declared the state Governor, Ayodele Fayose, the Nigeria’s opposition leader.
The assembly affirmed took the decision because of the fact that the
governor had remained the only consistent opposition voice against
alleged dictatorial tendency of the Buhari-led government, criticising
the federal government to engender good governance for all Nigerians.
At a special sitting of the assembly yesterday, the assembly
unanimously conferred on the governor the country’s opposition leader based on his advocacy for the masses and contributions to national
issues.
The speaker of the assembly, Hon Kola Oluwawole; his Deputy, Segun
Adewumi; the House leader, Hon. Tunji Akinyele; Hon Gboyega
Aribisogan, Hon Samuel Omotoso and Hon Titilayo Owolabi Akerele,
praised the governor for being “articulate, prudent with finances,
consistent and dogged” since he assumed office.
Fayose who responded to the assembly’s position, said: “Everybody is
entitled to their opinion. I am not that kind of a man who can be
silenced by anybody. Whether they call me leader of opposition or not,
I will continue to speak as long as it is going to be in the interest
of the masses.”
Commenting further, the Speaker said: “Since Fayose assumed office,
when you take a critical look at his contributions to national issues, he has been honest, frank , courageous and show that he is an epitome of leadership. He
has also been prudent in the management of our resources.
“Fayose is an enigma, a good democrat who always speaks on burning
issues of national interest without fear of whose ox is
gored. He remains the lonely voice in the wilderness and he fits to be
called the leader of opposition in Nigeria and we so declared.”
Oluwawole stated.
The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, and the chairman, Ekiti State
Traditional Council, Oba Samuel Oyebade, who also commended Fayose’s virtues, urged the assembly and other Ekiti citizens to continue to
give the governor support for in order to do more in the service to
humanity.
Ewi said: “I am happy about your submissions but it was made possible
because you all cooperate with the governor. When I play my role and
you play your role, Ekiti will be better and our governor will be
able to deliver.”
Fayose, who responded at his Afao Ekiti country home said: “All of us
cannot run away from harassment. I am an opposition figure and I want
to help the ruling party through criticisms, so that they won’t sleep
while in government.
“Why should I be afraid of jail? Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, and
Nelson Mandela were jailed. Chief MKO Abiola was jailed. So, why
should I be afraid of President Buhari. He is not God. He is just going to be president for a period of time. Virtually all Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) former
governors are being tried for corruption.
“But my speaking about what the All Progressives Congress (APC) government is doing does not mean
I am eyeing a bigger position, even Senate I am not ready to go there.
Great leaders don’t think about political placement, but about
how to strive to make their country a better place.
“I don’t have apology for my criticisms to anybody. This is the only
time I can help Nigeria by helping check oppression and dictatorship.
But a fact remains that whether the assembly calls me opposition leader
or not, I will ever remain myself.”
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