What Ekiti People Expect From Ayo Fayose

Fasoye’s Second Coming And What It Portends
There is fear among some people that the return of Fayose to the Government House could be used by him as an opportunity to take revenge on all those who offended him in the past. Those who nurse the fear are of the opinion that being the only term he is to serve the people of the state, he could decide to take his pound of flesh knowing that he is not returning after four years. Femi Falana, a Lagos-based rights lawyer, also said this much recently when he expressed fears that with the attack on the judges in Ekiti and other judicial staff, the state could become a war zone under Fayose. Falana further maintained that he was sure many residents of the state would relocate for the four years the governor would remain in office. Falana said: “With the ongoing political crisis, some development agencies have decided to pull out of the state. I know industrialists who have decided to relocate to neighbouring states. I have some friends who have resolved to go on exile from Ekiti State for the next four years. The exodus of business and the elite will have adverse effect on the fragile economy of the state because no investor takes funds to any place where the rule of law is in abeyance.”

Even with the fears he raised, he still had an advice for Fayose like many others who have spoken regarding the new political journey of the state. Falana, a native of Ilawe-Ekiti, said Fayose owes himself a duty to turn away from violence because no leader can govern in an atmosphere of anarchy and chaos. He has to embrace the rule of law.

Fayose’s aides have since replied Falana and discredited his claim as baseless and lacking in substance. They reminded Falana that the people have spoken and they would never be disappointed. They also told Falana that it was only those who had skeletons in their cupboards that would think of running away from the state, a vague claim that those who may have soiled their hands may not find it easy with their boss. “We know for sure that as our Lord lives, that expectation will not be cut short. Ekiti is as peaceful as any other state, it is people like Falana who are beating the drums of war and propaganda that are having nightmares and sleepless nights over the return of Fayose as the governor of the state. Those causing trouble in the state in the last two weeks are leaders of the All Progressives Congress and their thugs. If people like Jaruu and Apase, who have murder cases hanging on their necks, are leaving the state, security agencies know how to handle their cases. If trouble-makers and people that the Bible calls ‘the troublers of Israel’ are relocating, then, it is good riddance to bad rubbish. If those who have looted the state’s treasury and are afraid of probe have decided to relocate, they should know that the long arm of the law will catch up with them. It is common sense that it is only the guilty that are afraid. Anybody who does not have any skeleton in his cupboard will not be running helter-skelter when nobody is pursuing him,” one of the recent statements from Fayose’s camp read.

Aside this, Fayose has since winning the election taken to every available medium to inform the people of his readiness to meet their yearnings and expectations. Few days after the election, he announced that he had a blueprint of what he wanted to achieve and that he would build on the strides so far achieved by successive governments in the state. He has also severally told the world through social media that he is a changed man and ready to make positive impact on people of the state. In a recent tweet to mark the World Teachers’ Day, he told the teachers in Ekiti State that they should just endure till he would begin work as the governor. “In the next four years, your welfare shall be my priority. We shall celebrate your Day as we used to do. No teachers, no nations!” he declared.

But while a set of the civil servants seems to be happy at his promises, another set has been working in apprehension. The latter set includes those recently employed by the out-going Fayemi. Governor Fayemi, in what Fayose described as a ploy to create a major crisis for him, employed a total of 4,000 into the Ekiti State Civil Service. While 3,000 workers were recruited into the civil service, 1,000 were recruited into the Ekiti State University, with their appointments allegedly backdated. Fayose, who called this a landmine set for him, warned civil servants against colluding with Fayemi to set hindrances for him. “If you are a civil servant and you are colluding with Fayemi’s government to set landmines for my administration, you should be prepared to pay the price. All public servants should realise that they have career to build unlike the politicians. To be fore warned is to be fore armed,” he warned them.

Fayose also warned that he would not accept to work with the 19 local council development areas created in the twilight of the out-going administration. To him, the councils would be starved of funds: “I see such an action in the twilight of his administration as setting landmines for the incoming government. This is apart from the fact that the matter is in court and the order given by the court has not been vacated. If the people of the state want him to continue with his policies, they would have voted him. The funds coming to the state come in the name of specific local governments.” Fayose’s argument has been supported by some people who wonder why Fayemi would consider a hasty creation of more councils at a time he was leaving. It is believed that Fayose would know how to handle the situation in such a way that he would not create a negative impression in the hearts of his people. Moreover, he has constantly told listening ears that he is a changed man and has learnt from his mistakes. His messages on social media also portray him as truly changed ahead of the inauguration.