PDP, INEC Plan to rig Ekiti Polls

   PRESS RELEASE

  PDP, INEC Plan to rig Ekiti Polls

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Jonathan-led presidency have concluded plans to forcefully declare Ayo Fayose, the PDP candidate winner of the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State.

As part of the grand rigging plot, the party plans to lock down most of the communities in the state with soldiers and policemen who would be ordered to scare residents of the communities with gunshots, thus preventing them from exercising their franchise.

A national leader of the party was quoted to have said: "The APC is just wasting its time by campaigning around the state. By the time we mobilize soldiers and policemen to those communities, many would run into the bush."

Making these allegations in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation said as soon as Fayose was declared, the presidency would then deploy soldiers to Ekiti to silence ensuing protests by threatening to shoot dissents at sight.

"What the PDP is seeking to create in Ekiti is a war situation to have its way at all costs. They have perfected plans in Abuja to declare Fayose and damn the consequences, in spite of the character's bad track record. They are, however, not taking into consideration the impeachable history of Ekiti people at resisting external forces. The PDP should dust its history books and read up how Ekiti people dealt with external impostors during the Ekiti parapo war against imperialism and poll-riggers in 1965, 1983 and 2007 - 2010. It is said that people study history so as not to repeat mistakes of the past. But the PDP is certainly showing that it is a bad student of history.

"Both Ayo Fayose and Iyiola Omisore were chosen as PDP candidates in Ekiti and Osun respectively in spite of their lack of credibility. This clearly shows that the PDP is not banking on votes, but on the use of force and federal might.

"The recently released NOI Poll, conducted by Nigeria's Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala (NOI), was to confuse Nigerians and give legitimacy to the PDP's grand rigging plot."

According to the spokesperson of the campaign organization, Dimeji Daniels who signed the statement, the organization is shocked that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) suddenly developed cold feet and made a moral u-turn on the use of card reader for the conduct of the Ekiti and Osun States governorship election.

The organisation is more shocked that the electoral umpire has maintained the silence of the grave-yard in spite of allegations against the PDP that it is copying the VIN numbers on people's voter's cards for use in cloning several fake voter's cards.

"We call on INEC to ensure that the Ayoka debacle of April 2009 is not rehashed on June 21. We also urge President Goodluck Jonathan to act like a true statesman by ensuring that the Ekiti election is free,fair and credible.

"We equally urge the Nigerian Army not to allow desperate power-thirsty politicians drag its name in the mud, while we call on civil society organizations and the international community to beam its searchlight on Ekiti State during, before and after the election to prevent agents of darkness from sending the state back to the dark days.

"We also urge all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the PDP from carrying out its devilish act in Ekiti State."

 

 

 

Signed:

Dimeji Daniels

Spokesperson,Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation

12 May, 2014

PDP HAS CRUMBLED BEYOND REPAIR, SAYS EKITI GROUP

The Ekiti State Chapter of Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation (AGF) has said the campaign podium of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayodele Fayose, which collapsed in Ifaki-Ekiti while the party's standard-bearer was on it symbolized the irreparable collapse of the PDP in Ekiti State.


Fayose had mobilized chieftains of the PDP to a rally in Ifaki-Ekiti, former Governor Segun Oni's hometown few days after the latter dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

While the PDP candidate was busy abusing the APC candidate and incumbent governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the campaign podium on which he was standing alongside other chieftains of his party and his wife, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose, collapsed, sending the campaign ground into disarray.


Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation in a statement by its coordinator, Mr. Adeleye Akintola, in Ado-Ekiti, said the collapsed podium not only symbolized the collapse of PDP in the state, but also the rejection of the party's candidate by God.

"God has a way of communicating his messages to homo sapiens. Before the ground swallowed up Korah, Dathan and Abiram, God spoke through Moses, saying 'Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.'


"Just like Korah, Dathan and Abiram conspired against God's anointed, Moses, these people went to Ifaki to vilify Asiwaju Segun Oni and Governor Kayode Fayemi and as in the days of Moses, their podium sank and they were disgraced in lieu of Oni and Fayemi."


AGF said Fayose paid people from other towns to attend the rally in Ifaki-Ekiti to create the impression that the PDP was still relevant in the town, adding that the blood of Tunde Omojola, however, cried out from the ground against Fayose and his campaign podium, sending him and his goons crumbling like a pack of cards.


Tunde Omojola was allegedly brutally murdered in Ifaki-Ekiti by Fayose and his thugs on 28 May, 2005 during a rerun councillorship election.


In a similar development, a socio-political group, Ekiti Truth Vanguard (ETV), said it was puzzling that someone who could not build a strong podium is attempting to build a state.

According to a statement by its chairman, Akeem Bello, the group said it was not surprising that Fayose had transported his cosmetic approach to projects to his own campaign.

"Fayose can never build any lasting thing. That's why all the roads he constructed in Ekiti didn't last for three months."

FAYEMI LEADS IN EKITIPANUPO POLL, AS GROUP CALLS FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTION

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has been rated as the best candidate to win theJune 21 gubernatorial poll. The All Peoples Congress (APC) candidate scored 85.29% to beat other aspirants in a poll conducted by Ekitipanupo, the only indigenous and most influential network of Ekiti people at home and in the Diaspora. The coordinators of the poll and leader and secretary of the forum respectively, Professor Akin Oyebode of the University of Lagos and Mr.Kunle Oladele said the poll was conducted as a milestone intervention in the sustainable development in the state.

In the poll which was conducted by the Secretariat of the forum and in which members participated by voting online, the result shows that Dr. Kayode Fayemi of APC scores 85.29%; Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele of  the Labour Party scores 11.76%; Mr. Ayodele Fayose of PDP scores 2.94% while Mr. Kole Ajayi of Accord Party scores 0.00%.

 

The poll became necessary pursuant to the role of Ekitipanupo  as the indigenous Ekiti people's parliament.  Considering the fact that the interests of Ekiti people rest on the prevalence of peace, order, good governance, infrastructure and socioeconomic development, it was observed that 51.61% voted YES for continuity of the progress recorded so far while 45.16% voted YES, with amends, where necessary in order to avoid past misdeeds and 85.29% voted in favour   of endorsing Dr John Kayode Fayemi for re-election for a second term as Governor of Ekiti State. 

Coordinators of the poll, Professor Akin Oyebode and Mr. Kunle Oladele, Leader and Secretary of the group respectively, they said, “ Ekitipanupo, as the foremost, all-inclusive Ekiti sociopolitical group and indigenous intellectual roundtable that parades the best of the indigenes as members, representing most of the 131 towns in Ekiti State, we wish to intervene positively, as the need arises, in the state of affairs in our beloved homestead of Ekiti. Accordingly, our call for a free and fair June 21, 2014 election is in conformity with the discharge of one of the fundamental roles of the forum in the unfolding political scenario in Ekiti State.

 

Ekitipanupo recognizes the fact that every qualified candidate is entitled to contest for the Ekiti governorship seat. It added that the forum is favourably disposed to the state being governed by the candidate generally considered as the best in relation to personality, track record, programmes and manifestos, especially relevance to the collective interests and aspirations of Ekiti people home  and abroad and, more importantly, the ideals that Ekitipanupo holds highly vis-à-vis the good and progress of Ekiti State.

 

The group stated, “We recognize that the period of political campaign in a democratic process offers parties and candidates the opportunity to showcase their programs and manifestos with a view to winning votes of the electorate. We also strongly believe that this can be achieved without resorting to violence as has been painfully observed lately”

The group appeals to politicians and their supporters to embrace peace and maintain orderliness in exercising their rights. Calling on the Nigerian Police, State Security Service and other law enforcement agencies  to curtail any excesses. It urged INEC,  to be vigilant and non partisan in regulating political activities in accordance with the Electoral Act towards a hitch free poll.

 

Some of the members of Ekitipanupo include erudite Professor of International Law, Akin Oyebode; Ifaki Ekiti-born former Head of Nigeria French Village and President of Ifaki Progressive Union, Professor Ade-Ojo; former Chairman, Odua Investment Company Limited and former Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, Sir Remi Omotoso; former Minister of Health and Human Resources, Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; former Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank, Chief Bandele Falegan; 81-year-old reputable retired health practitioner, Madam Bimpe Okunade; Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke, Professor Bolaji Aluko; Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Professor Biyi Daramola; Mr. Kunle Oladele, a successful businessman;  Igede Ekiti-born U.S-based, University of Ife and Harvard-trained Bunmi Fatoye-Matory,A U.S based University Don, Professor Joseph Aina amongst others. 

 Signed

Prof. Akin Oyebode           Kunle Oladele

Ekitipanupo Leader             General Secretary

-- 
EKITIPANUPO - Thinking, Harmonizing and Serving

Photospeak: PDP Unleashes Terror on Egbe-Ekiti

Egbe 1:

A car and a motorcycle vandalized by PDP thugs in APC Chieftain, Chief Dapo Aawojolu's house in Egbe-Ekiti, Gbonyin LG...on Monday

Egbe 2:

A section of the fence of Chief Dapo Awojolu's residence demolished by Labour Party thugs in Egbe-Ekiti, Gbonyin LG...on Thursday.


Egbe 3:

Shells of bullets fired by PDP thugs at APC Chieftain, Chief Dapo Awojolu's house in Egbe, Gbonyin LG...on Monday.

Egbe 4:

A damaged window by PDP thugs at APC Chieftain, Chief Dapo Awojolu's residence in Egbe-Ekiti, Gbonyin LG...on Monday.

Fayemi’s wife assures rural communities of more government presence.

…receives defectors into APC

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has said that the development of the state’s rural areas and farmsteads is work in progress, assuring the people of more dividends of democracy.

She gave the assurance during her visit to Ejiko and Aba Igbira in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, as well as Asaride Farm, in Ido/Osi LGA in continuation of her empowerment visits to the farmsteads, at the weekend.     

Already, the governor’s wife had visited 15 farmsteads located in Ekiti South-West, Ijero, Oye, Ilejemeje, Moba, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Ido/Osi LGAs.

At each stop, she gave out gallons of kerosene, treated mosquito nets, cooking stoves, garri and palm oil processing machines, and other empowerment materials.

The First Lady said that some of the requests of the communities were already being put in place, promising that the Dr. Kayode Fayemi-led administration would continue to address these needs if re-elected in theJune 21 election.

Scores of former members of the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party in the hamlets took advantage of the visit of the governor’s wife to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress.  

Addressing the defectors at Ejiko, the First Lady assured them that they would be given equal treatment and opportunities like the foundation members of the party.

 She said, “I congratulate all of you for dumping darkness and coming into light. This is the party that has good plans for citizens, irrespective of age, social class, religion or ethnicity.

“Let me use this opportunity to admonish foundation members of the APC not to discriminate against the newcomers. Once you team up with our party, you have equal rights and opportunities.

“I want to task the defectors to go back to their former parties and woo more members for the APC. Go and tell them to also jettison darkness for light. The more the merrier.”

Erelu Fayemi later distributed APC customized hand bands and brooms to the defectors, assisted by the party’s State Women Leader, Chief Funke Owoseni.

The leader of the defectors, Sule Ahmed, said they made up their mind to defect to the APC when they saw the impressive activities of the governor and his wife, as well as indigenes of Irepodun-Ifelodun LG serving under the governor.

He said, “The (Caretaker Committee) Chairman of the Local Government, Major Tajudeen Awe (retd); and Jaru (Mr. Deji Adesokan, Senior Special Assistant on Security to the Governor) are helping the people a lot.

“I’m surprised to find out that they are complementing the efforts of the government by also executing some projects in this village with their personal resources.”

EKITI DISTRIBUTES BREAST CANCER EXAMINATION KITS IN MEMORY OF OLAYINKA

…AS GOVERNOR FAYEMI CAUTIONS WOMEN AGAINST TREATING CANCER WITH LEVITY

Ekiti State Government distributed thousands of breast self examination kits for cancer screening as part of activities organized in memory of the late Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka.

The events took place at the headquarters of the three senatorial districts of the state: Ido-Ekiti (Ekiti North); Ikere-Ekiti (Ekiti South); and Ado-Ekiti (Ekiti Central), on Monday and Tuesday.

The Wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, mobilised thousands of women for the two-day rally, which was joined by the Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; his Deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; and other top officials of the state, as well as husband of the late deputy governor, Mr. Lanre Olayinka; her daughter, Yeside; and family members of the deceased.   

At each stop, the Project Manager of the Funmi Olayinka Diagnostic and Wellness Centre, Dr. Bola Solanke, took the gathering through practical steps in breast self examination using the distributed kits.  

Tuesday’s event witnessed health screening for cancer, HIV/AIDS, malaria, sugar level, blood pressure, body weight and other essential health screening.

It was rounded off with cancer awareness walk from the Funmi Olayinka Diagnostic and Wellness Centre to Fajuyi Memorial Park, led by the governor’s wife.

Health officials from Chike Okoli Foundation, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Ekiti State AIDS Control Agency and Ekiti Development Foundation conducted screening and distribution of free drugs during the Ado-Ekiti event.

Addressing participants before the commencement of the walk, the Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, said that the event was organized in remembrance of his late deputy.

He appealed to women to make regular check-up and screening for cancer and gender-specific ailments a habit to stem the tide of cancer and other diseases ravaging the population.

The governor said, “One of the pledges we made after her demise was never again should we lose women to any form of cancer particularly, cervical and breast cancer.

“I want to urge all the women to voluntarily use the facility at the diagnostic centre and make use of the advice they receive from the specialists who are handling the various equipment that we put there for use.

“We know that cancer is still a major scourge in our country and we know that we lose so many people to the scourge. We want to do everything within our own ability to stop this from happening and one of the basic ways of stopping it is through regular checkups that can detect early if anything has gone amiss.”

He urged women not to rely on traditional or spiritual means to cure cancer, but to go for medical examination and treatment immediately at standard health facility after detection.

The governor said, “I want to urge our women to see this beyond our approach to tradition and spirituality. It is okay to be spiritual. It is okay to believe in God, but there are several places in the Bible where the word physician comes up.

“Physician is not a term of abuse in the Bible, it is a term of endearment; it is a term of respect. I urge us to, in addition to praying, to also work to save ourselves. The Bible and the Quran urge upon us to always work and pray.”

Speaking at the rallies, the First Lady expressed the resolve of government to establish cancer screening centres in the three senatorial zones of the state for early detection of the scourge.

She said the best thing the women of the state could do in remembrance of the late deputy governor was to troop out and vote for her husband during the June 21 governorship election given his giant strides during his first term.

With superior numerical strength on the state’s voters list and the All Progressives Party’s membership, she urged the women to queue behind her husband during the polls.  

She advised women to be mindful of their diet and to desist from consuming too much of carbohydrates and oil, but to consume more of vegetables and foods rich in proteins.

EXPECT MORE DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY, FAYEMI TELLS ELECTORATE

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has urged the people of the state to expect more dividends of democracy if he wins re-election in the June 21 governorship election.

The governor who made the promise on Tuesday during the second leg of his campaign tour to Ekiti East Local Government Area promised to work harder to improve the standard of living if he secures second term in office.

He said the various projects executed and commissioned by his administration are having positive impact on the lives of the benefiting communities.

Fayemi stressed that his administration has touched all parts of the state and the need to consolidate on the achievements recorded in the last three and half years formed the basis for a quest for a fresh term in office.

The governor held rallies to drum support for his re-election bid in communities like Omuo, Eda-Ile and Isinbode and was received by traditional rulers, community leaders and other interest groups.

Fayemi urged the people to be vigilant as election day approaches to prevent anti-democratic elements from stealing their votes which he described as "very sacred".

The governor expressed confidence that old people receiving monthly stipends, youth empowered through the Volunteer Corps scheme and beneficiaries of free health programme in government hospitals will use their votes to keep his government in office for the good work to continue.

Addressing the people of Omuo, Fayemi explained that his administration has done a lot for the community.

The governor said the Omuo General Hospital has received a massive renovation and equipped with a new ambulance and stocked with drugs to boost healthcare delivery.

He added that a new transformer, which happened to be the sixth in the community, had just been installed to boost power supply while the community also benefited from the five-kilometer road projects carried out by the local council.

While pointing out that more dividends of democracy are still in the offing, Fayemi said work had commenced on the Omuo-Isinbode-Agbado Road while a new ultramodern market is under construction in Omuo to boost the economy of the area.

He revealed that the town's water project which is one of the major demands of the residents has been incorporated into this year's budget.

"Keep your voter's card, don't forget it at home on election day. Our aged who receive monthly stipend, youth who receive stipend under the Volunteer Corps, pregnant women and others I believe will keep their voter's card ahead of the election.

"We are ready to work harder, remain resolute and I know you will not let us down. You have enjoyed dividends of democracy from a progressive government and I know you want this to continue.

"We are ready to offer ourselves to work harder to improve the standard of living of our people", Fayemi said.

At Eda-Ile, the governor promised to link the only major road that enters the community to nearby communities.

He said the recently commissioned town hall, residential quarters for medical workers in the health centre, renovation of the community high school and the construction of a hall in the school are legacies of his administration in Eda-Ile.

The governor urged voters to be prepared for the election day to exercise their franchise in favour of the progressive government.