APC, lawyers carpet Fayose over move against Chinese loan

Criticism has continued to trail Governor Ayodele Fayose’s letter to the Chinese government, asking it to refuse President Muhammadu Buhari’s request of $6 billion loans.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun who spoke with journalists in Benin, Edo State, at the weekend said Fayose and other critics of Burhari’s policies, including his trips abroad, were ignorant of his administration.

“I hope Fayose did not really do what we are told he did, I don’t even think he is capable of descending into this low depth, but if he did, I feel sorry for him and the people of the state. Nigerians should ask Fayose what he was doing in China. Anyway, we are not bothered, the president is not bothered.’’

He said many Nigerians did not recognize the very sorry state of the nation’s economy which he said was run aground. “What makes me sad is that there is somebody who does not recognize the fact that Nigeria has almost become a paralyzed state, the fact that we have no respect all over the world and the reality that every sector was grounded but APC won the election based on the personal credibility of President Muhammadu Buhari and due to the respect he commands not only in Nigeria but the world over”.

Chairmen of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos State and other lawyers yesterday condemned Fayose’s action, describing it as mere irritation and inconsequential.

Reacting to Fayose’s letter, a former Chairman of Ikeja Branch of NBA, Onyekachi Ubani, described the letter as of no consequence, since negotiations had already been concluded.

“The letter by Fayose is similar to a situation of bringing a motion for a court injunction for a completed act.

“This letter is a mere irritation especially coming from a sitting governor; I will urge Nigerians and especially journalists to regard his letter as nothing, but a mere irritation.

“Negotiations are already concluded and the Chinese government is willing to release funds to Nigeria.

“Although, it is very disheartening that such a letter is coming from one of our governors, I think it serves no purpose,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

In the same vein, the Ikeja Branch Chairman of NBA, Yinka Farobi, described the letter as “over stepping of one’s boundaries”.

“Fayose was elected as a state governor and not as the president of Nigeria.
“His letter is clearly out of the purview of his powers and I seriously condemn it,” he said.