Some political interests plotting to defame me, says Fayemi

• Oyetola declares intention to run for the second term
• Stop donning military uniforms, Defence Hqtrs warns politicians

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, yesterday, raised the alarm over a plot by some political interests to sponsor negative media campaigns about him.

According to a statement by his media aide, Yinka Oyebode, in Ado Ekiti, the plot would deploy faceless political groups and jobbers from different parts of the country.

The statement reads in part: “The plan is to use the faceless groups to discredit Governor Fayemi and portray him as unacceptable to the generality of the people across the six geopolitical zones of the country. This plot is part of their game plan for the 2023 Presidential contest.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Fayemi has not told anyone he is in the race for the Presidency. He has always maintained that he is on duty in Ekiti and would like to concentrate on that assignment.

“What he does afterwards is in the hands of God, and he will cross that bridge at the appropriate time. He restated this position during his most recent interview with Arise TV on January 1, 2022.

“Some entrenched interests within the ruling All Progressives Congress, however, seem uncomfortable with the rising profile of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Chairman and have resorted to cheap blackmail aimed at de-marketing him.

“We urge members of the public to disregard the potpourri of lies and cheap blackmail that could be released in the coming days, while promoters of this smear campaign are advised to concentrate on marketing their aspiration to the good people of Nigeria without recourse to defamation or character assassination of perceived competitors.”

In another development, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected the notice of primary for the state’s governorship election submitted by the Democratic People’s Congress (DPC) on January 5, 2022.

The party, however, said it would seek redress in court, as its purported deregistration by INEC on February 6, 2020, was nullified by the Court of Appeal in August 2020 and the judgment has not been vacated by any court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria.

DPC, in a statement by National Chairman, Rev. Olusegun Peters, in Abuja, yesterday, insisted it would participate in the election and warned INEC against derailing the nation’s democracy by its disobedience to court judgments.

ALSO, about six months to the Osun State governorship election, the Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, yesterday, declared his intention to run for a second term in office.

Oyetola made this declaration when he paid an unscheduled visit to the Osun State Traditional Council of Obas at their monthly meeting held at Conference Hall, Finance Building, State Secretariat, Abeere, Osogbo.

In his remarks, Oyetola expressed gratitude to the monarchs for their open show of love and affection, which he said has been the driving force motivating him to put in his best.

He said his decision is aimed at building on what he had started. He appealed to the monarchs to continue to pray for him and the success of his government.

MEANWHILE, Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has warned politicians and election campaigners to desist from wearing military uniforms of any sort for their activities.

A statement signed by Acting Director, Defence Information, Air Commodore W.A.P. Maigida, said DHQ has noticed with dismay that some politicians have formed the habit of wearing military uniforms and accoutrements.

The statement reads in part: “The campaign posters of some governors, dressed in military camouflage uniforms, are displayed in noticeable areas in their respective states. This is manifestly illegal and an abuse of the privilege of allowing civilians to wear military uniforms during military training exercises.

“It is necessary to restate that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, as a professional institution, remains apolitical and, as such, would not want to be dragged into any form of political bias. Accordingly, it is important to advise politicians and others to desist from the use of military uniforms and accoutrements for political events and other engagements henceforth. Please, note, anyone found culpable in this regard would be liable to prosecution.”