Outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, yesterday declined to honour invitation to attend the inauguration of governor-elect, Kayode Fayemi.He cited his appointment with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that falls on the day in Abuja.
The governor added that since he had promised to appear at the office of the anti-graft agency on October 16, which he said coincided with the day of the swearing in, he won’t want to be seen as not keeping his promise.
Speaking at a valedictory press conference in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Fayose said the EFCC might have the opportunity of harassing him, if he reneged on his promise to appear before it.On the crisis in the House of Assembly, Fayose urged the lawmakers to cooperate with the Fayemi’s administration to move the state forward.
The governor said: “Politicians are erratic people, if I should attend the programme, some politicians may use the chance to harass me, even when they were not sent by Fayemi.”This will further destroy our relationship, especially as issues between us are not personal. I have been cooperating with the committee set up by Fayemi on this transition.”
He declared his readiness to appear before any panel set up by the incoming government to probe his administration. Fayose explained that he has not committed Ekiti to any debt, either by way of bond or bank loans, since he took over in 2014.“I didn’t commit Ekiti with a dime. Whatever we do in government, history will forever remain after us,”He urged Fayemi to deploy the N327 million kept in bank by his administration to complete the new Oja Oba market for the use of Ekiti traders.
The governor added that he decided to abandon the civic centre project started by Fayemi and constructed a new market, because it was not a priority to the people of the state.He advised that the newly built Ministry of Finance be named after former Minister of National Planning, Chief Ayo Ogunlade to appreciate his contributions to the state.
