S/West PDP berates Fayemi for calling Ekiti people rumour monger, demands apology
The People Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West has described the comment made by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi that Ekiti was the number one rumour mill in Africa as uncharitable and an insult on the collective sensibilities of Ekiti people, saying the governor must retract the statement and apologise to the Ekiti people.
Fayemi had reportedly said on Friday at the state secretariat of the ACN, Ado-Ekiti that Ekiti was the number one rumour mill in Africa, adding that rumour-peddling must be discouraged in order to give room for more development in the state.
However, reacting to the statement, Zonal Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Kayode Babade said it was the height of Fayemi's arrogance and contempt for Ekiti people for him to have described them as rumour mongers.
The party said rather than blame Ekiti people for what he may regard as rumour about his administration, he should blame his party, which thrives on falsehood and propaganda, himself for running a cult-liked government and his information managers who are obviously not doing their job.
The statement read; "Our attention has been drawn to media reports credited to Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State describing Ekiti as the number one rumour mill in Africa.
"In other words, Fayemi is saying that Ekiti people, including himself are rumour mongers who do deserve to be accorded any respect.
"This to us is an insult on the collective sensibilities of Ekiti people who are highly educated and respected for their honesty and sincerity.
"Most importantly, we wish to remind Fayemi and his ilk in the ACN that they should indeed be blamed for whatever rumour that is being peddled about the government because they actually introduced lies and deceit to the politics of Ekiti.
"Was Fayemi not among the ACN people who lied that incisions (gbere) were made on eggs that were being used to feed primary school pupils during the PDP administration of Segun Oni?
"Was Fayemi not part of the ACN people who lied that N3 billion was carried to Ogere Toll Gate where the cash was changed to Dollars and used to bribe Tribunal judges?
"So when Fayemi wanted to be governor at all cost then, in his estimation, it was not ridiculous that N3 billion cash could be changed to dollars at Ogere Toll Gate? Why is he now troubled about the so-called rumour about his government to the extent that he is now insulting Ekiti people by calling them rumour mongers?
"To us, such a comment coming from a governor is to say the least unfortunate and it is our demand that he must apologise to Ekiti people for labelling them rumour mongers, which they are not."