The incumbent Governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose and the state Governor-elect, Kayode Fayemi, are currently locked in war of words over massive recruitment of the former’s croonies.
Dr. Fayemi had warned the management of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, to stop working with the incumbent governor, Ayodele Fayose, to embark on “illegal mass employment” at the college in favour of supporters of the state government. A position Fayose vehemently opposed.
Fayemi’s allegation
The Director, Media and Publicity, Fayemi Campaign Council, Wole Olujobi, in a statement in Monday, cautioned the management of the college to stay clear of the “contrived sabotage mission by Governor Ayodele Fayose” to cripple the administration of the Governor-elect, from the outset.
He alleged that there were similar plans by Mr Fayose to use other government’s agencies and institutions to dispense favours to only members of his party. He that political consideration in public recruitment scheme is illegal and will be so treated on assumption of office.
Mr Olujobi said it was dangerous to erect political structures in non-partisan institutions of government, warning that the incoming administration would not inherit institutions that would be threatened by political cleavages.
“We are aware of a long list of cronies of Governor Ayodele Fayose who are forced on the management of the College of Education and waiting to be employed in their large numbers on the orders of the governor,” he said.
“We wish to caution the management of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, and other institutions of government on the danger of conniving with an administration that has refused to employ just one man in about four years to now choose to embark on mass recruitment of supporters for the purpose of crippling the incoming administration at a time that Fayose’s administration is owing backlog of salaries with no hope of payment till the end of his administration.
“We hereby alert the people of Ekiti State to this clear act of sabotage which the management of the college is trying to execute on behalf of Governor Fayose to intentionally cripple the smooth running of the administration of the college when the new administration comes on board, particularly coming at the time that subvention to the college has not been paid for a long time while research and capital funding has been abandoned.
“The recruitment becomes more illegal, as the beneficiaries of the exercise are mainly Fayose’s cronies who he wants to compensate after deceiving them for three years.
“We do not believe in political affiliation in the consideration of people for employment, therefore, what is going on in the College of Education is clearly a political exercise in a non-partisan setting, and to that extent, the exercise is political and, therefore, illegal because it is wrong to turn the college to the enclave of one political party.
“In the last dispensation, Fayemi engaged Ekiti people in social security scheme, Youths in Commercial Agricultural Development (YCAD), Volunteer Corps, EKSTMA and Peace Corps, among other schemes, based on merit and without consideration for political leaning.
“This is the way to go and we hope to continue on this path when we assume office to fill all necessary vacancies and create new job opportunities for all Ekiti people based on merit irrespective of political affiliation.
“We therefore advise the management of the college and other institutions of government to stay clear of the sabotage mission by Fayose and strive to ensure that the present status quo of salary payment default is resolved in favour of the hard-working workers, teaching and non-teaching staff, by paying all their salary arrears and other entitlements, including payment of subventions and capital spending, instead of embarking on political patronage in appointments that will further worsen crises for our institutions.”
Fayose’s Reaction
Responding to the allegation, the Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said Mr Fayemi and his team should wait until October 16 before trying to implement their policies.
He said Mr Fayose remained the governor of the state until October 16 and that if there was a need to employ workers, the governor would do so legally.
“The last time that we checked, Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose was still the governor of Ekiti state and he remains the governor till October 16, 2018,” said Mr Olayinka.
“Governor Fayose will carry out all the functions of his office till October 16 and if there is need to employ workers, he will do so legally and no one can prevent him.
“That is more so that the process of employing 2000 workers had commenced even before the July 14 election.”
