EFCC’s probe of Ekiti finances will fail, says Fayose

• Wants state of emergency on agricultural sector

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has said any plan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the state’s financial transactions will meet a brick wall.

Speaking on Orange FM, Ado Ekiti, yesterday, Fayose said that having failed to prove he received funds from the Office of the former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki, the agency has shifted its attention to the state’s finances.

“They are on a vendetta mission. They said I collected money from Dasuki, and I have told them that I did not take a dime from him. I have N300m in my fixed deposit account in Zenith Bank and I disclosed it in my assets declaration form.

“I have challenged them to publish the statement made to the EFCC by Dasuki, where he said he gave Senator Musiliu Obanikoro money to give me, or where Obanikoro himself said he gave me money.

“Since they have seen that the Dasuki money issue won’t give them the implication of Fayose they desperately need, they are now harassing contractors in the state. But I can assure them that their efforts will come to nothing,” he said.

Explaining why the EFCC lacks mandate to probe states’ finance, the governor said: “As provided by Section 125 sub-sections (2), (5) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is the House of Assembly of a state that is vested with power to superintend the funds of a state. Our constitution does not place Ekiti State House of Assembly under the control of the Attorney-General of the Federation or the EFCC.”

Fayose reiterated call for restructuring of the federation, saying: “That’s why we are facing all these problems. Remember, it was those in power now that clamoured for restructuring when they were in opposition. Now that they have federal power and are using it to oppress the people, they are against restructuring.”

Also calling for the declaration of a state of emergency on agriculture, he said: “It is not enough to say people should go back to the farm. The government must provide necessary equipment, because you don’t expect present day farming to be done with hoes and cutlasses.

“Apart from the North, where do we have functional irrigation system? If our people must go back to farming, especially in the South West, we need the Federal Government’s assistance on irrigation.”