He doesn't fight shy; he takes them as they come. Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State takes no prisoner. A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) helmsman, he has been the party's arrowhead on the political campaign battlefield in the battle of words and raw nerves, that is. Through this campaign season, he remains the most strident and consistent critic of Gen. Muhammadu.Buhari, opposition APC presidential candidate. Even now, Fayose may well be considered the most controversial governor in the country today.
Few days ago, he sat with BOLAJI TUNJI and BRUCE MALOGO to discuss his famed politics
I hear people call you Osokomole . What's that?
Osokomole is a name coined by the common people of Ekiti State for me..They call me that name because God has raised me in this place, to stand up for them in this age; to support them and to lead them in humility, and they have also been able to compare me with governors that passed through the state, and they came up with that name Osokomole . It means a leader who says and obeys, and if you look at my history very well, and what has happened in this place since year 2003, by the grace of God, I defeated an incumbent governor and I was the second governor to do so. By my performance, I became a household name that you can't ignore Even in pains of exile, and even in the face of blackmail and name calling, I was able to join hands with Fayemi and his supporters in Ekiti State to defeat former governor, Segun Oni, and I came back again to defeat Fayemi himself.
To make it all interesting, both former governors Niyi Adebayo, the man I took over from, Segun Oni, and the man I took over from again, Fayemi, came together under the same party, and by the grace of God, I defeated them, and in the history of Nigeria, I came back in an unusual way, in unusual situation, and in unusual place.
I have not seen where a governor will even leave office in four years and came back, not to talk of eight years as in my own situation, and also to come back same date, same time, and same hour.
I left office in pains on October 16, 2006. I was removed forcefully from office by the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and I came back to office on October 16, 2014, exactly the same time, eight years after to defeat an incumbent in the 16 local government areas in Ekiti State. That is.why in Ekiti State today, some people call me 16 – 0. Not only that, you remember that I left office on the 16th October and I came back on 16th
October. I defeated an incumbent governor in 16 local government areas, and even the Court of Appeal judgment came up on 16th February. That goes to show that there is something significant about me as a person; and so the people that came up with the name Osokomole for me, have seen some qualities in me that distinguish me as a leader. In short, that name simply means I'm a man of history.
You punctuate many of your statements with spirituality. It's your wife that many associate with things spiritual. So, how spiritual are you, then? You see, I'm not as spiritual as my wife, and that is the truth. In this our politics, there is trouble everyday, sometime somebody will slap you, and you will retaliate because if you laugh at them when they slap you, they will still give you another slap. So, for me, I'm not as spiritual as my wife, but at the same time I'm trying to be gentle but that does not mean I must be foolish. Just let me digress a bit. Look at how they have taken the simplicity of the President (Goodluck Jonathan) for granted. Look at how people are treating a man, who has refused to be like Obasanjo, who is ready to remove any governor any day; who is ready to trample on the constitution any day; to destroy a whole community any day in anger and is ready to remove Senate presidents like five, six at the same time.
When you look at Jonathan, Jonathan can't hurt a fly and as a result, people treat and talk to him anyhow.
What I'm trying to say is that, like if you ask an Israeli, "why are you waging war?" He will say, "I'm defending my territory." That is what an Israeli will.tell you, and so I'm spiritual to the extent that I'm defending my territory.
You always sound upbeat and confident about your popularity among the people, such that they literally carried you on their shoulder to governor's house two times, so to speak. But in all of this, some people, including the opposition, are saying that you have always cheated your way to power and…
(cuts in). You see, APC are bad losers. I refuse to join issues with them on that matter. They should release the full details and the contents of that.tape. In that tape they are talking about, you see that I'm the one complaining then. But you see, the APC people have a way of doing their propaganda. You remember that I recently published the submission of American observers who adjudged the Ekiti State election as the freest in the history of Nigeria. They didn't stop there; they recommended that election for the election in Osun State and the general elections in 2015.
I've always been saying it, APC is a party of propagandists. But I know how to match them. They know me, and I know how to deal with them. When I was working to assist Fayemi and APC to defeat Segun Oni, I was the best man in the world to them. Then they called me the man of the people; man who fought on the side of the people. They celebrated me from here to heaven. They did paid adverts to celebrate me. But now that I have defeated them, you want them to be praising me? They can't. But I'm the governor here today in Ekiti State by the grace of God. I'm the face of Ekiti State today, whether it is palatable to some people or not. It is natural that APC should be jealous of me; it is natural.
The office of the governor is a seat or an office that represents so many interests. So, I won't blame them. So, for me, talking about Ekiti State election being rigged is an after-thought. Even if they are saying so, the system provides for where you can ventilate your anger. The system gives you right to go up to the Supreme Court, from Appeal Court and the state courts. The tribunal is also there. APC members have been to the lower tribunal, I won there, and even middle tribunal and I won. So, who is fooling who? APC are just trying to discredit me, but I'm a man that can't be discredited. I'm a man on a solid foundation. I'm stone; I'm okuta (stone). If you fall on me, you will break and if I fall on you, you will break.
My history is exceptional in this world, and I've said it several times, if it were in the Bible days, my name would be in the Bible because of the unusual things that have happened in my life. All of them in APC should cov er their faces in shame that a man that had left office several years, came back to defeat them. APC are jokers; they know the truth, but they are hiding it. Look at the time Buhari went to London, and APC was showing photos taken in Abuja, at Transcorp Hilton, as being those taken in London.
It shows the level of decay and deception in their lives.
You have been hitting Buhari all through this campaign period. Why has he become such a preoccupation for you? Aren't there other issues in the campaign for you to talk about?
It is APC. I'm talking about you and Buhari.
Buhari is just a face in APC.
So, why have you been hitting him; even, as they say, wishing him ill?What is the problem?
There is no problem, sir. I'm saying the truth and it is not personal, and heaven knows it is not personal. Let me tell you, Jonathan's ascension, to alot of people, is an act of God, but to me, I will not only say it is an act of God, the president then, Obasanjo, knew (Alhaji Umaru Musa) Yar'Adua. I was the chairman, Presidential Selection Committee then, I was an insider. I was sent with Bukola Saraki, Goje, Ibori and about five or six other state governors. That time, Bukola Saraki, Goje and Ibori were supporting former governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi – it was Obasanjo who later called me aside and told me that Makarfi would be uncontrollable for him. That Makarfi, from the way he talked at Council of State meetings, showed that he is a man of himself. Obasanjo then sent me to go and meet Yar'Adua, to tell me to give him a letter that he wanted to contest the Presidency. I went to Yar'Adua's house and I met his police orderly, I also met Tanimu Yakubu, and later I met Yar'Adua. All these things I'm saying today, heaven is my witness if I'm lying. Yar'Adua now told me that he didn't want to get himself involved in Nigerian politics after completing his tenure as the Katsina State governor. Before I forget, when I was leaving Abuja for Katsina, Obasanjo told me that I should not let Yar'Adua know that he was the one that sent me to him.
Yar'Adua confided in me that he didn't want to get involved in Nigerian politics again because of the state of his health. He confided in me, and he also told me that most of the work he was doing were being done by his secretary to the state government and Tanimu Yakubu was his deputy that time and he told me that the only way he could listen to what Obasanjo was saying or reason with him, was if nobody else was contesting for the office with him, so that he could hold his peace.
By then Yar'Adua was not coming to council meetings. He was not coming to public functions all the time. At a point, I went to report back to Baba. Baba told me to go and tell Aminu Masari to write the letter of intent for Yar'Adua because Masari was the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and also from Katsina State and Masari wanted to become the governor of the state. It was Baba that dictated to Masari that he should be governor. It was the emergence of Yar'Adua that didn't allow Masari to become governor.
As a presidential candidate, Yar'Adua was entitled to decide who he wanted to succeed him in Katsina, and he chose Shema, the current governor, to succeed him and not Masari, and that was how Masari left PDP. That was the thing that injured Masari's mind. What I'm just trying to tell you is that, this Buhari's issue is not personal.
Today, Nigerians are seeing what is happening as a result of imposition of Yar'Adua. You know there was a time that people were carrying rumour that Yar'Adua was ill. They were denying it the way they are now denying that of Buhari. But as somebody who is exposed to so many things then and now, I'm in a position to advise Nigerians, and you see that Yar'Adua saga interrupted what could have been straight eight years for the North to be in leadership. It was a major interruption because, ordinarily, North could have great eight uninterrupted years in leadership, and the thing would have reverted to South.
I'm confused here. From what you are saying, who are you fighting for, actually – the North or Jonathan?
No. You are asking me whom am I rooting for. I'm rooting for Jonathan as a younger person; younger element. For instance, if APC has a younger element, I won't be engaged in this type of talk. This kind of debate or argument won't come up. You won't ask me such a question. I'm reacting to a specific question about attacking Buhari.
What I have been trying to point out is that the North should not go through the same route as a result of Yar'Adua's unfortunate circumstance. They should guard against it this time around with the choice of Buhari because if they lose it again, power would revert to South West (that's in the event that Buhari wins the presidential election). Nobody wishes that Buhari should die, but death is inevitable in life.
They say Buhari is okay, but what if he gets sick or anything happens to him? We are not in control of that. I can die tomorrow; anybody can die tomorrow. It's God that gives and takes life. So, I wouldn't wish Buhari dead. But I can equally have an opinion on him. The doctor can tell you that you have a short life, but God can spare your life and you live long. You can use what has happened as precaution against what can likely happen. I'm only telling our brothers in the North, and that's why I gave an illustration with an individual. For an individual, four years could be a short time, but to a nation, it is infinitesimal; it is minute. Therefore, in the life of a nation, four years is nothing. So, we must be careful so that we would not jump from frying pan into fire; so that, at the end of the day, they won't say Fayose is a …
Again, I'm not in control of who wins an election; I'm only to give my support. Some people say if Buhari wins the election, what will happen to me? Will I run out of Nigeria because of him? I'm not somebody people can threaten cheaply, and if you say your mission is vengeance, you will never.get there because vengeance belongs to God.
Most of the sponsors of Buhari are grade one corrupt elements. They have tried to engage this Buhari to come and protect them. They work hand in hand; they got to a negotiating level before the alliance failed. We are all in this country. This Buhari they are celebrating as a saint, didn't they see all these so-called qualities in him during those three attempts? Why didn't they celebrate him and call him all these good names they are now calling him at that time? Why did they not say these in 2011? Why didn't they abandon Obasanjo for him? Who is fooling who? Except they know what we don't know. Somebody coming out to talk about change – change for what?
As I said, if APC had a younger element, I won't engage in this type of talk. And you see, any young man born in the last 30 years that is talking about Buhari probably does not know who he is talking about; he doesn't have information about Buhari. It is like in Ghana, they know only (Jerry) Rawlings; they don't know about other presidents before him. That is the damage, either way positive or negative, that time does on society. And as men that lead, this is the time to set the records straight and give correct information. Some would ask me, what about Buhari? Then I have to give them information. I have to explain to them in details that my argument is not even about Buhari's past. That is not my argument; my argument is centred on his capability; on his ability to be able to discharge and deliver. I'm not saying Jonathan is 100 per cent good, but I'm saying that of these two products, one doesn't have the mental capacity anymore.
If you say Buhari wants to become president, then you are saying that Obasanjo should become president because they are in the same age group.
If Obasanjo, at 62 everybody is calling him Baba, Baba, then we have to call
Buhari – because of difference in age – Pa, Pa Buhari, Pa President. That is not right. Nigeria has a population of 160 million people of eminent citizens that have what it takes to deliver, not somebody that becomes president and he will be kept inside cooler. That is why I'm telling Nigerians that the devil you know is better than the angel that is coming – angel in quote. You don't know where he and his co-travellers would lead this country.
Look at those sponsoring Buhari. As the saying goes, show me your friends and I will know who you are. We can see the track records of those backing Buhari; we know how they attain the wealth they are using. Is it their salary they are using to sponsor Buhari or state funds? They are more corrupt in life than any other citizen of this country, and their penchant for acquisition of wealth is second to none. The appetite for entrenchment of their family members in positions is another thing Nigerians can't imagine.
You said earlier that once, Obasanjo came here, sat with you and sang your praises. When and how did things become this bad between …
(cuts in). We don't have to go back to all those things. I don't want to be talking about Obasanjo; to me that is a distraction. Let's leave Obasanjo.
Obasanjo is of yesterday. The world is no more in his legs. Let's leave his matter and discuss issues of the moment. Yoruba have an adage that, no body runs from a man who sat on a horse yesterday…
But people still listen to Obasanjo today, because of his political clout …
(cuts in). Sir, I can't take that away from Obasanjo, but at the same time, I don't see his relevance now. Obasanjo is only making mouth. Obasanjo is only blabbing.
But your opponent, APC, finds him very relevant; in fact, last week, it used excerpts of his latest book in its campaign advert and here …
(cuts in). Excuse me sir, this is politics. Everybody can say what he wants to say. You have already asked me about Obasanjo. He is still a man of influence, to what degree? Let me tell you one thing, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar is a former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida is a former Head of State, but they are not running their mouths. What they could do quietly without making noise, they will do. Some people have come to see Obasanjo as being talkative, talking, talking every time. He is looking for relevance by all means. I don't want to talk further on this matter.
People now see you as the bogeyman of PDP. They say when you talk, you just spilled it. In short, that you don't take prisoners. Does that bother you at all?
I can't be bothered. Let me tell you, I'm not a pretender. My own fish is too dry to be curved. People love me the way I am. I am not a pretender. For pretenders, they say what they don't mean, but for me, my words and utterances and me are one and the same. Everything I have said about APC and Buhari I care less; is the truth. I have worked very closely with them so I know them. I'm equally telling you that I have worked closely with PDP and I'm supporting Jonathan for one reason: he is a genuine and sincere man. Even upon all the insults and the way Obasanjo has been behaving to him, the man doesn't want to hurt Obasanjo. That's one of the reasons I'm supporting him, I'm telling you the truth. If I wanted to be governor, I'm already one; I'm a sitting governor. I told myself that I must speak up because when the righteous are quiet in times when they are supposed to talk, the innocent will suffer, the just will suffer. I'm the voice in the wilderness today, and I have no apology for all my statements, because everything I say in life comes to pass. I'm telling you, anything I talk about
or say must be taken seriously.
In the South West today, things are not rosy in terms of finances. In Osun State your neighbour, civil servants demonstrated over unpaid salaries.
In Ogun and Oyo, they are also having issues with finances, what is the situation in Ekiti State?
As I said earlier, I inherited a state that is near bankrupt. I left Government
House in Ekiti State, and in government coffers about N10.4 billion cash. Before then, I met a state experiencing zero allocation and badly indebted in salaries. Then Adebayo left here with the documents of Ekiti State government and deposited with Omega Bank then. All the debts were paid by me. I'm telling you, God has made me a builder and each a time a government like AD, ACN or APC comes to do "change" in Ekiti State and messes up, I come back to do the repair.
Look at the Government House itself, very dirty; you can't imagine that the government of these APC people has passed through this place.
Let me tell you this, N 31 billion commercial loan debt incurred by the past administration is hanging on our head in Ekiti State. They deduct an average of N 7, N8million every month to repay the debt. I asked them to suspend it for six months for me to settle so that we can reschedule some of the debts. And the bond is there, about N25 billion, and these things were scheduled until 2020. To pay workers salary here is a big problem. But I want to tell you, I have not defaulted since I got here. I've not defaulted at all. This month (March), when the February allocation came, we only had about N440,000 left after paying salaries. Sometimes in the Government House, we have to switch off generators for eight hours because we can't sustain it.
What I'm trying to tell you is that, the situation today is worse than during my first coming. But I'm hopeful that we will have a breakthrough. Somebody must be on this seat as the governor, somebody must be here to do the cleaning, and the work must be done. I'm not in Ekiti State to fight anybody. Somebody must be on the seat as the governor even if the situation is worse than this.
Why are you still holed up in this old Governor's Lodge; I thought your predecessor built a new, magnificent one? Or perhaps, it is not good enough for you? It's good. Let me tell you this, I'm not saying it is not good or bad, I'm only complaining about the cost. If you spent N3.8 billion to build a Governor's Lodge in a state like Ekiti, it is unfortunate. My decision not to move there is because there are still some things to be put in place. You see the pillars and tiles are not well placed. Although it is not a priority for me, as soon as the necessary things are put in place, I will move there.
Are you working on those defects now?
They are doing a bit of work there now. It is the same company that handled the construction that is still working there now.
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