Ayo Fayose ends tenure in tears, I won’t flee, says he will be back
Outgoing Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose yesterday bade a tearful farewell to the people after a thanksgiving service at the Government House Chapel in Ado Ekiti, the statecapital.
The service was shunned by many political office holders, who similarly boycotted Friday night’s farewell dinner. The governor’s tenure ends tomorrow when governor-elect Kayode Fayemi will take office.
The departing governor could not control his emotion as he made to depart for Akure Airport to catch a flight to Abuja.
As the thanksgiving service ended at about 11am, tears welled up in the eyes of the governor as he made his way to his white Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).
“Please take heart, please take heart,”said Fayose’s wife Feyisetan, who noticed that her husband was shedding tears.
Fayose bade his wife, few aides and other admirers, farewell as his convoy headed for the Akure airport.
Throughout the service, Fayose was in pensive mood, his voice was laden with emotion as he addressed the congregation.
The outgoing governor told the congregation he was leaving the number one seat a fulfilled man.
Fayose said: “I’m contented, I’m happy and I say thank you. Don’t be disparaged, don’t worry about me, I will come back. I will rise to the glory of God. I have enjoyed uncommon grace; I will never complain but only thank God.”
Turning to former Speaker Kola Oluwawole who was removed by 14 lawmakers on Thursday, Fayose urged him to take his sack in good faith.
He said: “I don’t want you to trouble your mind; there won’t be testimonies without battles. Go and concede defeat in the overall interest of Ekiti. You were removed illegally, but let God fight for you.”
Mrs. Fayose assured that her husband would come back to Ekiti a triumphant man.
She said: “We are coming back, I don’t know how, but I have 200 per
cent assurances.”
In his sermon titled: “Affliction shall not rise the second time,”
the Chaplain of Government House, Pastor Seyi Olusola, said a man must be ready to face affliction, if he must rise.
Olusola said: “Don’t allow anything to trouble your mind, always come to God.”
As he left the Government House premises, Fayose displayed a wooden board with the inscription: “Ekiti Kete, thank you all and good bye.”
The service was attended by royal fathers led by Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Obas and Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe.
Outgoing Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola and his wife, Janet; Chief of Staff Dipo Anisulowo; Head of Service, Gbenga Faseluka and Secretary to the State Government Mrs. Modupe Alade also attended the service.
Meanwhile, Fayose on Sunday left for the Abuja office of the EFCC.
He said he was not scared of the detention of the anti-graft agency, adding that he wanted to go the EFCC deliberately in order not to give the impression that he would flee after handing over to his successor.
At Akure Airport, Akure, Ondo State capital, where he boarded the plane to Abuja, the governor said he was always available for questions or interrogations.
He said, “My tenure expires on the 16th of October; this is the journey to Abuja. It is safer to be in Abuja than to be in Lagos and be creating the impression that you want to escape. There is no seaport in Abuja. The EFCC doesn’t need any drama; I am a man of courage. I have told them I’m coming and I’m on my way to them.
“So, after a meritorious service, anybody who wants to call me to question, I’m available to them, just one call away and my going now is my demonstration to them that I’m a man of my words.
“I’m not scared of anything. I always say to the people that the life of a man does not consist in the abundance of what he has. Life is for the courageous, not for the weak. I have served well, I have defended the common man in this country and I will continue to defend them.
“I will never be cowed by anybody. It is important to speak truth to power; I will not allow myself or any Nigerian to be oppressed.”
Fayose also declared that he remained the leader of the people of Ekiti State and would continue to defend them.
“In or out of office, I am always their leader. Ekiti comes first above everything and anybody and we will continue to defend our people, “he stressed.
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