Headline

Ekiti Decides: Fayemi, Fayose Renew Rivalry

Published

3 years ago

June 18, 2022

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The stage is set across the 16 local government areas of Ekiti as about 16 governorship aspirants are jostling for the revered of the seat state’s number one citizen. The 16 hopefuls are in a battle of no return to outdo one another and grab the lion share of the only about 749,065 available votes that will elect the next governor of the state. The figure, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the number of registered voters who had, as at Monday, June 13, 2022, collected their permanent voter cards out of the total 988,923 registered voters in the state.

Among the 16 candidates, only three can be said to have a chance in the contest as a result of the political parties they belong to, and to an extent the strength of their political sagacity and individual influence. The three include Biodun Oyebanji of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Segun Oni, who is flying the flag of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). But political observers have insisted that the likes of Wole Oluyede of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) should not be written off as a result of his former association with the APC.

Others are Reuben Boye Famuyibo – Accord (A), Ajagunigbala Moses Olajide – African Action Congress (AAC), Elebute-Halle Josephine Kemi – Action Democratic Party (ADP), Benjamin Olufemi Obidoyin – All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Fagbemi Peter Adegbenro – Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Christiana Modupe Olatawura – Action Peoples Party (APP), Daramola Rowland Olugbenga – Labour Party, Fatomilola Oladosu Abiodun – New Nigeria People Party (NNPP), Iyaniwura Tope Ifedayo – National Rescue Movement (NRM), Agboola Olaniyi Ben — Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Adebowale Oluranti Ajayi – Youth Progressive Party (YPP), Adeolu Kolade Akinyemi – Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

While the contest is a straight battle among the candidates of the APC, the PDP and the SDP, it is imperative to understudy the fact that two major political elements, who had governed the state in the past, are the cynosure of all eyes as the voters make their choices. They are the incumbent governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and the immediate past governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose. While reports have it that the flagbearer of the APC is the anointed of the governor, the PDP candidate has the signature of Fayose written all over him. As the two heavyweights slug it out, it should not be forgotten that Oni of the SDP has once had a taste of the Ekiti State government house as the number one citizen before he was booted out.

It is worthy of note that Ekiti has a peculiarity to its politics, and no ruling party has been able to retain control of the state for a long spell, not even incumbents gunning for a second term could achieve such.

Can Oyebanji arrest the waving loyalty of the people of the state to political parties and lead APC to win two consecutive governorship elections in Ekiti?

But on their individual strengths, the 16 candidates would have to go the extra mile to wrest a chunk of the 749,065 available votes to their names to be declared the landlord of the state for the next four years.

BIODUN OYEBANJI

Returning from a damaging rumour of disqualification from the race, Biodun Oyebanji, who is the immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG) is 54 years, and believed to have the backing of the outgoing governor, Kayode Fayemi.

Polling a total of 101,703 votes at the controversial primaries to beat other aspirants, some of whom withdrew including Senator Opeyemi Bamidele as a result of claims of manipulation by the electoral committee supposedly filled with Fayemi’s loyalists, Oyebanji received the oil to carry the APC into the contest. He is believed to be foisted on the party by the governor.

The singular assertion is capable of seeing him through to government house as the ruling power broker can pave the way for him, or face the wrath of aggrieved party members, who may work against him underground.

BISI KOLAWOLE

On his own part, the PDP candidate, a former chairman of the party in the state, Bisi Kolawole is said to enjoy the direct support of former governor, Ayodele Fayose, helping him to defeat Segun Oni to emerge victorious in the primaries.

Like Oyebanji’s election, Kolawole’s was also not without skirmishes as the likes of Biodun Olujimi pulled out from the contest, protesting irregularities, adding that the party disenfranchised her.

SEGUN ONI

One of the shortest serving governors, Segun Oni sacked by the courts, and thrown out of office in 2010 after the appeal court ruled that the 2007 election that brought him into power had been rigged. He was replaced by Fayemi, who was then with the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Ever since, Oni has unsuccessfully plotted to return to power. In his quest to return to return to power at all cost, Oni has practically held the membership card of all major parties in existence, pitching his tent with the SDP after losing out to Kolawole in the PDP exercise.

His downsides notwithstanding, he has remained a political heavyweight in the state ever since, often switching allegiance between parties.

A serial defector no doubt, Oni still has a significantly strong base that puts him in an advantage to win the 2022 Ekiti guber election, if properly harnessed.

Since 1999, the PDP and APC have rotated power in the state after a term of four years. The SDP has never had a shot at power in the state.

Meanwhile, the police deployed 17,374 personnel, the Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps deployed 9,747 personnel, in addition to the heavy deployment of men of the Nigerian Army. The Federal Fire Service also brought into the state men and fire-fighting trucks for the election. All to ensure a hitch free elections.

It’s either going to be Oyebanji, Kolawole or Oni as the dice is cast.

Headline

Tinubu Presents N47.9trn 2025 Appropriation Bill to NASS

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Eric

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, presented the proposed 2025 federal budget to a joint session of the National Assembly.

The N47.9 trillion budget saw a whopping N3.5 trillion allocated to the education sector.

Other sectors that got higher allocations include defence and security – N4.91tn, infrastructure – N4.06tn and health – N2.4tn.

“It is with great pleasure that I lay before this distinguished joint session of the National Assembly, the 2025 Budget of the National Assembly of Nigeria titled, ‘The Restoration Budget’ security peace, building prosperity,” Tinubu said as he concluded his 30-minute presentation at 1:10pm.

This budget highlights the government’s focus on improving education, healthcare, and infrastructure, in line with its ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ aimed at boosting the economy and addressing key national priorities.

The live broadcast of the budget presentation today revealed the government’s plans for the next fiscal year. With a strong emphasis on human capital development, the president highlighted the budget’s commitment to improving the nation’s economic foundation.

Education sector receives major funding

A significant portion of the 2025 budget is dedicated to education, with N3.5 trillion allocated to the sector. President Tinubu stated that part of this funding would be directed toward infrastructure development, including support for Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and the establishment of nine new higher educational institutions.

“We have made provision for N826.90 billion for infrastructural development in the education sector,” Tinubu said.

This allocation aims to improve educational facilities and support ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s educational system.

Focus on human capital development

During the presentation, the president emphasized the importance of investing in Nigeria’s human capital. “Human capital development, our people are our greatest resource. That is why we are breaking record investment in education, healthcare, our social services,” he remarked.

Tinubu also pointed to the N34 billion already disbursed through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to assist over 300,000 students.

The budget includes continued investments in healthcare and social services as part of the broader goal of enhancing the quality of life for Nigerians.

Strengthening the economy and national security

Tinubu highlighted that the 2025 budget is designed to build a robust economy while addressing critical sectors necessary for growth and security.

“This budget reflects the huge commitment to strengthening the foundation of a robust economy, while addressing the critical sectors essential for the growth and development we envision; and secure our nation,” he said.

The budget aims to tackle key challenges and foster long-term economic stability by prioritizing infrastructure and development in key sectors.

Healthcare and social services allocations

In addition to education, Tinubu focused on the allocation for healthcare and social services. The government plans to increase investments in healthcare infrastructure and services to ensure broader access to essential healthcare for Nigerians.

These investments are part of the administration’s strategy to improve overall living conditions and enhance public health across the country.

President Tinubu’s proposed 2025 budget is said to reflect the administration’s commitment to achieving its development objectives, with a focus on economic growth, human capital development, and infrastructure improvement.

As the National Assembly reviews the budget, the president reiterated his administration’s resolve to address the nation’s most pressing needs.

Source: Nairametrics

Headline

Ghana’s President-elect Mahama Visits Tinubu in Abuja

Published

4 days ago

December 17, 2024

Eric

Ghana’s President-Elect, Dr. John Dramani Mahama, a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu at his residence, Presidential Villa, State House on Monday.

Mahama won 56 percent of the votes in this month’s presidential election, compared to the ruling party candidate and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who secured 41 percent.

The landslide comeback for former president Mahama ended eight years in power for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose last term was marked by Ghana’s worst economic turmoil in years, an IMF bailout and a debt default.

Headline

I Stand by What I Said, Kemi Badenoch Replies VP Shettima

Published

1 week ago

December 12, 2024

Eric

The leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has lashed back at Vice President Kashim Shettima over the latter’s reaction to her comments about Nigeria.

Badenoch was born in the UK in 1980 to Nigerian Yoruba parents.

Badenoch, who attained age 16 in Nigeria before departing the country for the UK where she was elected Conservative Party’s leader, described Nigeria as a nation brimming with thieving politicians and insecurity.

However, Shettima, while speaking at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, December 9, 2024, accused Badenoch of “denigrating her country of origin” with her remarks.

The vice-president listed influential people whose families had migrated to other countries, commending former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as a “brilliant young man who never denigrated his nation of ancestry.”

Reacting on Wednesday, Badenoch lashed back at Shettima, saying she doesn’t do “PR for Nigeria”.

Her spokesperson, as the Tory leader, according to UK Express, said: “Kemi is not interested in doing Nigeria’s PR; she is the Leader of the Opposition in the UK.

“She tells the truth; she tells it like it is; she isn’t going to couch her words. She stands by what she said.”