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Ayodele
Fayose
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Ekiti State Governor,
Ayodele Fayose, speaks with PUNCH Newspaper about President Muhammadu Buhari’s
health, his role as an opposition leader, relationship with Obasanjo and other
issues
Your tenure is
drawing to an end. You have one year and three months left before you are
required by law to step down for another successor. How has your second coming
been?
What is important is what we have made of time spent. We
have demonstrated leadership by example. We have made ourselves accessible,
accountable and respected by our people. If not for God and my achievements, my
enemies would have gone the whole hog to attack my person. Because my people
believe in me, I came back into this office based on my previous performance –
during my first term as Ekiti State governor. My people have given me the trust
and cooperation to serve them. Thus, I’m happy that we have made credible
achievements and impact in their lives.
What are the most
memorable moments for you as governor of Ekiti State?
One of them is the trust that I have enjoyed, even in the
face of being a prominent opposition figure. The people have shown me love
beyond my imagination. One of the things I want to be remembered for or that we
have done differently is stooping to conquer. Let me tell you, even if you have
50 years in office, you cannot finish it all. You keep working and giving your
best to the people. It is only God that can acknowledge your performance. We
will never finish serving and there will always be a desire in an economy.
Where you are managing poverty and trying to meet the expectations of the
people, you have to continue trying.
What would you say
are your strengths and weaknesses as a leader?
Anybody can have money but it is not as important as the
openness and the access enjoyed by the people. We mingle freely and allow
people to have free access to us. That has given us more support than we can
imagine. I sincerely appreciate the cooperation of the people.
What about your
weaknesses?
I’m a mortal. I’m not infallible. Sometimes, we get angry
and, sometimes, we do things the way people don’t understand. But we retrace
our steps in line with the will of the people. There is no perfect man, so I
can’t claim that (to be perfect). I have only decided to be humble. Today,
anybody coming after me has a lot to do to be trusted by the people because the
stakes are very high – the people know what they want. It is no longer about
the roads we have tarred; schools and markets we have built or other
infrastructural development we have brought (about); it is about our personal
relationship with the people.
Your role in the
current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President Yemi
Osinbajo places you as the spearhead of the opposition. Why did you take on
such a responsibility?
Like I always say to people, life is not about your personal
attainment of goals and aspiration; it is about being counted for the people.
If you don’t stand up for something, so many things will stand up against you.
Some people say it is because I enjoy immunity. What about others that enjoy
immunity? A lot of leaders today are afraid of speaking the truth. But I know
there is no gain without pain. We stood in the gap for the people. I am the
longest-serving governor. I served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo
with the likes of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and former President Umaru Yar’Adua –
then, former President Goodluck Jonathan was a deputy governor. I later served
under Jonathan when he was the president and now under President Muhammadu
Buhari. I have traversed many administrations and worked alongside some of the
gladiators in Nigerian politics today.
I’m an experienced man. At different times, I have made
contributions to the development of Nigeria. As an opposition figure, I’m truly
expected to give the government of the day a run for their money. I must make
them give value for the votes given to them. The opposition is an integral part
of democracy; without that, you have autocracy. Someone has to be the voice of
the people in this trying period because we cannot all see things the same way.
The government must be put on its toes at all times and be made accountable to
the people.
Can you speak more on
the warning you gave to Nigerians that you ‘put life and death’ before them as
regards voting for Jonathan or Buhari in the 2015 presidential poll?
I’m a man that enjoys God’s grace. The Bible says before I
was born I was in my mother’s belly, God knew what I would be. I’m the man God
wants me to be because God gave me a woman after his heart knowing my
limitations, my excesses and my pains. Beyond politics, we are different people
before God. Things some will do and get away (with), some will do and never get
away. I have gone through so many challenges, but today, I’m still standing.
Many thought that by the time Buhari got to power, Fayose would be dead. That
is not a democracy. We are not afraid of battles; we are not afraid of saying
the truth. Moses, Joseph, our Lord Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
stood in the gap to stand up for the truth. For me, there is no personal issue
between me and the President. But I want to establish that I was a young man
when he became the (military) head of state. I watched him closely with his
deputy, Gen. Tunde Idiagbon.
So, I was a young man who saw tomorrow and never shied away
from narrating the story. I said repeatedly that President Buhari did not have
the capacity to rule Nigeria and I did not hide it. Concerning all that I have
said so far, I have no regret. I always say the abundance of a man does not
consist of things he possesses. Life is not in the realm of what you have
achieved and what you have not achieved. Generations come and go. Everything I
have said will come to pass. Our president is very old to rule. We wish him
good recovery but not to return as president if he does not have the health to
back it up. If I said the President was not well at the time, it has
manifested. We will continue to pray for him. Anybody can get sick but one must
be honourable enough to say when he doesn’t have the capacity to continue (to
serve the people).
As the only Peoples
Democratic Party governor in the South-West, do you see yourself at a political
disadvantage in the region?
Former Governor Bola Tinubu was the only opposition governor
at a time in the South-West. Today, by the cooperation of other stakeholders in
the All Progressives Congress, they conquered Nigeria. I’m going to lead the
opposition to conquer Nigeria like Tinubu did. The fact that you are in the
minority does not make you lesser than those in the majority, in terms of
wisdom, understanding, God’s backing and hope for the future.
Recently, South-West
governors, including you, came out to form an alliance. How will this work with
you in the opposition?
Our working together for the good of South-West has nothing
to do with politics. Everyone needs to contribute to the growth of this
country, so is this region. It doesn’t matter the party I belong (to). They are
only saying we should stay together in terms of security, agriculture and have
peer review. Hunger does not know political party. People want good roads,
water, services, etc. There is no way party politics will make me not to
cooperate with my colleagues in the South-West.
You said you have 11
damaging photos to prove President Muhammadu Buhari’s health is deteriorating.
How do you feel when governors and aides close to Buhari are saying the
President is recovering?
We thank God that the President is able to come up and talk
that he is hale and hearty. My statement put pressure on the Federal Government
– because since the President left no one heard anything about his health
status. If you listened to the Ebonyi State Governor (Dave Umahi), he said it
was a miracle that the President recovered. If something is a miracle, it means
that what I said about the President’s health was the truth. With due respect,
everything I have said is the truth and remains the truth. The fact that one is
placed on life support does not mean that the person cannot recover. But the
question should be: does one have the health to continue with rigorous work of
office?
Do you think you
should have been included on the list of governors invited to the United
Kingdom to see Buhari?
I’m indifferent. Nigerians wanted me to be there. But I
believe in the judgment of my colleagues. If Nigerians wanted me to be there
but they (Buhari’s handlers) didn’t give me the access, what can I do? I have
to move on and join them to wish the President well. What is important is
Nigeria. When Senator (John) McCain was sick in the United States, he came out
boldly to say he had a brain tumour. The health of the President is a public
issue. It is the handlers that are causing the confusion. Like I said, I don’t
want the President dead, but we want to know the true state of health of our
president. For me, I’ll love to go there (the UK) to see (him). But if they say
they are not giving me a passage, it is all well and good, as long as the
President is hale and hearty. If he is not fit, let him resign.
Why do you think the
presidency failed to include you on the list of the latest visitors to Buhari
in the UK?
The President denied drawing the list, saying it was the
governors’ forum. I’m not desperate to go there. If they feel it is important I
represent – if not, I’m still an opposition figure. Many people are not
comfortable with me and I don’t blame them. They may feel I would want to come
and tell Nigerians what actually transpired there. But I cannot lie; I can’t
say what is not true; I can’t make up things. I can’t celebrate lies. That does
not mean that my colleagues that went there are lying. What we are praying for
is that the President should get well.
Do you have any
personal relationship with President Buhari?
None whatsoever.
If you have the
opportunity to meet him, what will you tell him?
I will wish him well – and that, if he is not fit to
continue (to rule the country) he should resign. What else would I say?
Everything I have said, I will stand by it. The offices of the president and
governors require a lot of energy. Whatever interest we represent, we cannot
deny that. Our adversaries – our opponents – know that we are saying the truth.
But because they are the beneficiaries of what is going on, they will defend
it. But I’m not afraid of speaking the truth. Truth heals and endures.
You said you are the next president. If your prediction
comes true in 2019, don’t you foresee a heated polity?
I never predicted my presidency. I have a right to contest
and I said I will contest and I will win. When I predicted that I would come
back as governor of Ekiti State, many people doubted (my prediction). But
because man has no capacity to see tomorrow, they can write you off. Those who
wrote me off then see me in the position of authority today. When I was down
the valley, they thought I would never rise. But the Lord said in Psalm 23: ‘I
will set a table before you in the presence of your enemies.’ In this country,
I’m going to the (Presidential) Villa. I’m saying that, by the special grace of
God, those who doubted me today will visit me in Aso Rock as the president or
the vice president – as the case may be.
What is the next step
for the PDP, now that its two-year crisis seems almost resolved?
We are holding a non-elective convention on August 12 to
work and extend the tenure of the (Ahmed) Makarfi National Caretaker Committee
to give us a structure that will take us to the next level.
What do you think is
the solution to herdsmen’s attacks on farmers?
We have the prevalence of certain crimes because they are
being aided by the powers that be, either in the security agencies or
otherwise. The moment the system is functional, a lot of crimes will disappear.
Everybody knows the consequences of their actions and knows the system will not
shield them. We should stop aiding evil in this land.
Are you in support of
regional government?
I’m in support of strengthening the states. I’m in support
of devolution of powers from the centre to the region or the states. As it is
currently constituted, the centre is becoming dictatorial. They want to tell
you what to do in your state, but we are all federating units and should be
respected in line with the constitution.
You have identified
with Nnamdi Kanu, someone who was accused of openly seeking money abroad to buy
weapons to fight against Nigeria. Why?
I’m not aware of that fact. But let me say this, you are
presumed innocent until proven otherwise. That is what the law says. Saying
Nnamdi Kalu is this or that is prejudicial and unfair. I don’t believe in the
disintegration of this country, but I believe in the right of Nigerians being
respected. Agitation is normal. This country belongs to all of us. They should
pay attention to the dwindling economy, poverty ravaging the land and hunger.
Recently, you called
for sanctions against Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and his group. Don’t you think
this will further polarise the party?
Sheriff has no followers! That is the truth. Sheriff is a
hijacker; he is an impostor. Every system must have discipline. If today,
Sheriff and his co-travellers had succeeded, they would have expelled people
like me and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. There must be discipline in
the system. If there is no discipline in a system, one is wasting his time.
These are characters that are used to scuttling truth and justice in our land.
That was why I regretted supporting him initially. We should sanction them. I
don’t believe in politics of lies (no winner, no vanquished) – that is a
political statement. Going forward, the party must sanction some people.
What about factions
loyal to him in Ekiti, Ondo, Edo and others?
There is a lot of make-believe. Let the people in Ekiti come
forward and tell us they are members of Sheriff’s group. They have taken to
their heels and we are going to discipline them. A few of them that are enemies
of the party, we will expel them. The moment they don’t show remorse, we will
expel them.
How do you think
Sheriff should be sanctioned?
Sheriff should be expelled. Sheriff, by his action – if you
see the peace that pervaded this country after the (Supreme Court) judgment,
you would see that there is peace without Sheriff. If it had gone the other way
round, many people would have left the PDP. Nobody has left the party after
Sheriff lost the judgment.
You once reportedly
worked against the interest of Senator Ahmed Makarfi when he aspired to be
president. Today, you fought to ensure he is the chairman of PDP’s National
Caretaker Committee. What changed?
I never worked against Makarfi. I only said Obasanjo set up
a committee and asked us to choose the presidential candidate. I was with a
former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili; others were with Makarfi. But
Obasanjo told me that Makarfi would never be president of Nigeria and that I
should not work for him. That is all. At the end of the day, Obasanjo moved
against Odili. He knew his intention and ambition before he gave us that order.
Why have you been
attacking former President Olusegun Obasanjo at every opportunity you have?
I’m not attacking him. I’m only saying things I know about
him because I’m a living witness of Obasanjo’s life. I worked with him and know
that Obasanjo is a sadist, an opportunist – a man who would rather put a
weakling in position (of power). How would he ask Yar’Adua that he knew was
sick to be president? I wonder why some media (organisations) celebrate
Obasanjo. Obasanjo has no character. Obasanjo was the first president that
trampled on our constitution in all ways using brute force. That is why
Obasanjo does not have a (foot-) hold, in terms of human beings, in party
politics in the South-West. Obasanjo is only left with the clout of being a
former president. When you say human support, Obasanjo does not enjoy such in
the South-West.
What are the things
you did for and with Obasanjo then that, if given a second chance, you would do
differently?
At the time I was the governor, I was a young man. I was
avoiding Obasanjo because he was from the same zone as me. One thing I have
known is that Obasanjo will run away if you can stand up against him. Obasanjo
is a weak man; the moment you can stand up against him, he will chicken out.
Look at Orji Uzor Kalu and late governor of Niger State. At that time, I
couldn’t stand up (against Obasanjo). I have now found out that, sometimes, it
is good to confront monsters. We are guided by the constitution and respect for
the rule of law. Obasanjo messed up by disobeying the rule of law and removing
governors at will.
As a Yoruba man with
respect for tradition and a beliefs that elders should be respected, don’t you
think it is time to forget the past and move on?
Elders are only meaningful when they are using their grey
hair to lead the people well. Please, let us call a spade a spade. I don’t want
to talk about people who are not elders by standards expected of them and (who
are) not living by examples according to the true grace of their age. You only
respect grey hair when the man is upright. Obasanjo is not a man to be
respected; he is an opportunist.
Former Governor of
Ekiti State, Segun Oni has joined the governorship race. Are you threatened by
his ambition?
Former Governor Segun Oni is an Ekiti son and is entitled to
aspire. Because I came back as governor, some people want to try their luck.
Former Governor Kayode Fayemi is there; Senator Babafemi Ojudu is there too.
Let them get the party ticket first.
There is clamour by
the Southern senatorial district to have a shot at the governorship. What is
the position of your party on this?
No position. We will not zone. The best candidate will
emerge.
With the second
tranche of Paris Club refund and the expected federal allocation, how many
months’ salary should workers expect?
This Paris Club refund cannot pay one month’s salary. It is
money between state and local governments. The state’s salary is N2.6bn, while
local government is N2.4bn, which is N5bn, and I got N4.7bn. Capital projects
are there. The Federal Government has politicised it. My own is that I will
declare what I get to my workers and we will discuss it together. No matter
what, the Paris Club refund cannot solve the entire problem, but it will
augment it.
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