Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose yesterday described President Muhammadu Buhari as “my father” and that it becomes improper for him to abuse the President as widely claimed.
He maintained that “being his grandfather” does not mean he would not criticise him when going in the wrong direction.
The governor, who was a guest speaker at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) World Press Freedom Day lecture yesterday in Ibadan, said he would rather die than conceal the truth.
Speaking on “Journalism and Politics : Two Sides of A Coin,” the controversial governor said there were two things that people are afraid of death and jail but as far as he is concerned he is not afraid to die or be locked away .
According to him, his criticism of the President is healthy for Nigeria and the people to achieve economic and political growth.
He said it would be absurd for all to watch and refuse to talk even when the ship of the nation is drifting away.
Citing instances of illegal arrest and detention of some Nigerians by Federal Government agents without evidence of any criminal charges, Fayose said it was against the rights of any citizen to be detained for several weeks without any proof.
Insisting that his unrelenting criticism of President Buhari was not out of bitterness or hatred, the guest speaker said: “I don’t abuse Buhari because he is my grandfather. But we all must not sleep and face the same direction in this country.
“The people voted for him because they wanted change, and I agreed with that because we really needed change. They told Nigerians that when they get to power there will be no subsidy and there will be no queues again but today full subsidy and queues are here.
“In the last 12 months Nigerians have never had it so bad. Most generators are exhausted.
“I am not here to challenge anybody but to tell Nigerians that we are in the wrong direction. Nigeria is in turmoil. When you want to deal with corruption, deal with corruption holistically.
“When I won election they said it was made possible by an army general, and they sanctioned the general. But in Bayelsa people were mercilessly killed, the general was not sanctioned. Look when I started I never lost any battle. I conquered consensus in my party.”
Fayose called on journalists to hold leaders accountable to save the country from the challenges confronting it.
According to him, a lot of journalists do not have loyalty in Nigeria, “what they are concerned about is their stomach”.
“Most politicians are using journalists for their dirty jobs. Nigerian journalists shy away from the truth because they are self-centred and greedy.
“Politicians have no address and this is why it is possible for a man to defect from PDP after 12 years into APC and is celebrated as a saint. Journalists should stop supporting and having soft spots for parties and politicians.”
Going further the governor said: “President Buhari is too old to rule this country and that is why there is problem in this land now. Nigeria should not produce any president that is over 60““`. Younger people should rise and challenge older people. The stealing going on in this present administration is more than the one during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s period. We as politicians must be secondary in the books of journalist and we are only self-seekers.”
On the incessant killings by Fulani herdsmen, Fayose warned them to stay off Ekiti State.
In his welcome address, the State NUJ Chairman, Gbenga Opadotun, said:”This day is to identify with the brutality and harassment faced by journalists.
He praised Fayose for appointing a journalist in his cabinet. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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You stand for the truth. did I hear you say that?. Our God is patient. did I hear you say you are not afraid to go to jail? pls go yell that to unborn children because on your 1st term it was in a car boot you were driven away to escape. we are not fools oooo mr Gov.
ReplyDeleteYou better go for psychological treatment.
ReplyDeleteThis man is Sick!!!! who is your father? continue since when you began your attack even b4 election when you had a print media advert wishing him death till this day have you heard him respond? that you should know that you were fooling around, he knows his children definitely you are not one of them
ReplyDeleteThat jail that you are not afraid of is where you will end up.
ReplyDeleteI think the gov needs attention cos I think he is actually confused and lacks direction.
One problem with Nigerians'is that they refuse to accept the truth, I am not surprised anyway because truth is bitter to those who does not want the truth, whatever names you may call Fayose is still the best governor so far who is not ready to rub shoulder with whoever but stand on his own word, God bless Fayose and by the way who is a mind you should mindful of?
ReplyDeleteFayose have lost his sense people of this country please assist him to see doctor for brain problem.
ReplyDeleteWhy the insults on this man. Argue your case and not only just abuse people because you are on social media
ReplyDeleteIf Buhari is grandfather what is Aisha?
ReplyDeleteWife! She till small now. She is just 40yrs old. She married Mallam BH when she was 13yrs and 6months old.
DeleteGOD Bless u Fayose The most wonderfull governor
ReplyDeleteYou are mad
DeleteNigerians should be happy that we still have one man standing. Every body who started the talk have gone silent, but God has blessed us with Fayose. If not for him... I love this man.
ReplyDeleteFayose God will continue to increase you in all area of your life.you will not insult the president because he is A Nigerian president,but you will continue to be courageous in saying the truth.you will continue to stand on the side of the truth.it doesn't matter what any body think of fayose,he remains the voice against injustice and bad governance. We will continue to support your courage sir.its well with you in Jesus name.God bless you sir
ReplyDeletePeople are calling Fayose the best Governor in Nigeria, because he is the only person with the audacity to abuse a siting president who has come to clean the ass left behind by the PDP, that is cool! But let him pay us Ekiti Civil Servants our salaries, this is 5 months and we are still counting, Mr. Good governor the spokesman of the Nigerian State please pay us our salaries our families are suffering please Mr. Governor the soothsayer pay us our salaries. CAlabar Governor Ayade has paid workers Salaries on the first he is not owing and he has not been call the best governor, today you are the best governor because you can abuse a sitting president and you call that opposition
ReplyDeleteThat is Nigeria for you. A Governor who has not been able to pay his civil servants for five months but can jump into the plane and jet out to China to obstruct any loan to be given to his country. All in the name of opposition. No treatment is better for him, than the one Buhari has given Fayose - SILENCE! Orokus Sam
ReplyDeleteThe best answer to a fool is silence.PMB,You are a father of all.
ReplyDelete