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Kayode Fayemi

EKITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi on Sunday gave a hint that he might probe the administration of Mr. Segun Oni, who was removed last Friday by the Court of Appeal, Ilorin.

Fayemi, who spoke at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ado-Ekiti during a thanksgiving service on Sunday, said that he inherited infrastructure that were virtually comatose, but assured the people that efforts would be made to impact their lives within the possible time.

The governor who spoke in Yoruba said that although his administration would not be vindictive, “no sinner would go unpunished but God will give us the wisdom to do that.”

Fayemi acknowledged the support of the people saying, “Endurance and perseverance pay. There is a lot of work to be done in the state and I am not a magician but we will do everything to make our people smile. I will keep the promise I made with our people.”

He stated that the essence of the struggle against bad government was to serve the people who had been impoverished.

The church service was attended by Fayemi’s supporters and dignitaries that included a Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant, Prof. Adesegun Ojo.

After the service, the governor, in a short interview with journalists, said that he would soon announce the names of persons that would form his cabinet.

According to him, “Appointments will soon come.”

Earlier during the service, the Bishop of Ekiti Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye had urged the governor not to regard anyone as his enemy.

Ajakaye who gave Fayemi’s victory to the people’s resilience against tyranny, urged them to support their governor.

The cleric said, “Remember that you are not the governor of the Action Congress of Nigeria alone. Don’t see anybody as your enemy.”

Ajakaye said that rigging had now become a taboo in the state, saying Fayemi’s victory had confirmed that the people would never allow an impostor to lord it over them.

He warned him against relying on any godfather but to seek direction from God.

According to the cleric, “This victory teaches us that there is no legitimate mission that cannot be accomplished. Do not try to please everybody. That is the only way you can achieve your eight-point agenda.”

Meanwhile, Fayemi has denied media reports (not THE PUNCH) that he had demoted Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service.

A statement from the governor’s office on Sunday e-mailed to THE PUNCH, said Fayemi was misrepresented in the said report.

He clarified that what he did in his inaugural speech was to emphasise the government’s decision to review some recent promotions.

“There is no where in the entire inaugural address where such a statement was made, purportedly suggesting or insinuating the demotion of any Permanent Secretary. Rather, the Governor only emphasised the government‘s decision to review some recent promotions and otherwise as they affect the position of Permanent Secretaries in the civil service from May 28, 2009.

“Government wishes to state that the Ekiti State Government under Governor Fayemi will be civil-servant-friendly and shall not do anything to jeopardise or truncate its structure as it holds the civil servants as critical stakeholders in the development of Ekiti State.

“However, the State Government commends the media for the adequate support it has been giving to Ekiti State even at the time of her political troubles. Government calls on the media to further join hands with Fayemi‘s administration to achieve the desired development for the once beleaguered state.”