ONI’S AIDE RAPS FAYEMI OVER MUSLIM PILGRIMS

Ekiti State former Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun has described claim that the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi approved list of Muslim Pilgrims prepared by the Engr. Segun Oni-led administration as misleading, saying; “Fayemi actually tinkered with the idea of substituting some of the names on the list but could not do so because all processes had been concluded.”

Olatunbosun, in a statement made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti today, said as at October 15, 2010 that Fayemi became governor, all fund required for the Holy Pilgrimage had been released by the Ministry of Finance as approved by Engr. Oni.

“Our attention has been drawn to the statement credited to Governor Fayemi that he approved the list of Muslim Pilgrims prepared by the Engr. Oni-led administration and we wish to state that such statement, obviously aimed at scoring cheap political point is not only misleading but mischievous.

“For the avoidance of doubt, all necessary arrangements, including provision of fund and procurement of travelling documents had been concluded before Fayemi became governor. Therefore, Fayemi or anyone for that matter could not have done anything to alter the list.

“It is like a case of a coach appointed a day after the beginning of a World Cup Tournament saying that he is not going to change the players presented by his predecessor and approved by FIFA for the tournament. Even if such a coach has the mind of changing the players, will FIFA allow him?

“It therefore amounts to playing to the gallery for Fayemi to have claimed that he was magnanimous enough to allow those already approved for the Holy Pilgrimage to embark on the trip without tinkering with the list,” Olatunbosun said.

While urging Fayemi to face the herculean task of matching the achievements of the Engr. Oni-led administration without being vindictive, Olatunbosun said; “What Ekiti wants is dividends of democracy and not governance on the pages of newspapers. The new government should therefore face the task of governance and impacting positively on the lives of the people.

“Today, everyone knows that for the first time in the history of Ado-Ekiti, electricity is now stable. This has been made possible by the Engr. Oni-led administration completion of the 132/33 KVA Power Station initiated 34 years and provision of 300 new transformers.

“Engr Oni solved the power problem in Ado-Ekiti, constructed over 500 kilometres of roads, took Ekiti State away from the comity of States where students of public schools receive lectures under the tree, inside dilapidated classrooms or carry chairs and desks to the school by constructing thousands of classrooms, including storey buildings in our schools and providing school furniture adjudged as the best in Nigeria.

“Fayemi should also pick other critical aspects that are necessary for the well-being of Ekiti people and address them with sincerity of purpose.”