Kayode Fayemi… his politics and quest for good leadership in Africa

When John Olukayode Fayemi was born on February 9, 1965, the Western region was experiencing complete breakdown of law and order as a result of the conflict between the defunct Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP) backed by the late premier of the region, Sir Ladoke Akintola, and the Action Group (AG) backed by Alhaji D.S. Adegbenro. The conflict led to the loss of over 1,000 lives with about 5,000 houses burnt down. The devastating political crisis, which continued until January 15, 1966, coup d’etat terminated the Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe-led First Republic.

That historical background may have influenced Fayemi, who turned 60 years last week, to dedicate his life to service based on philanthropy, humanity and empathetic leadership style.

His leadership style might have also been influenced by the Awoist philosophy that places premium on the security and welfare of the people like gainful employment and free q ualitative education.

A former governor of Ekiti State, Fayemi has also served as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) as well as the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, where he brought his leadership ideals to bear on governance.

This commitment to service and good governance may have informed the launch of the Amandla Policy and Leadership Institute as part of activities to commemorate his 60th birthday anniversary at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

The institute aims to, among others, ensure good governance and reclaim the place of Nigeria and the entire Africa ravaged by despotism, corruption, conflicts and wars as a pole of transformation and a beacon of hope for humankind.

The major takeaway from the launch of the institute was that Fayemi, who served as a two-term governor of Ekiti State, is well at home with past and present leaders of the country, his colleagues of the ruling APC, key figures in the opposition political parties, the traditional institution, and the intelligentsia.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; his predecessors, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, were among the hordes of dignitaries that sent in goodwill messages to celebrate the milestone recorded by Fayemi, who is regarded as an exponent of politics without bitterness popularised by the late Second Republic presidential candidate of the defunct Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP), Waziri Ibrahim.

On hand at the launch of the Amandla Institute in Abuja were former head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; former vice president Atiku Abubakar; former senate president, Bukola Saraki; former chairmen of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande and Chief John Odigie- Oyegun; serving and former governors – Abiodun Oyebanji, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Abdulaziz Yari, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Segun Oni, Mohammed Badaru, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; Cardinal John Onayekan; the Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi Lamido; the Ooni of Ife, Obasanjo Adeyeye Enikan Ogunwusi, and scores of traditional rulers from Ekiti State.

The presence of former president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki; the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Ms. Amina Mohammed, and other international figures at the event spoke volume of Fayemi’s profile as a pan Africanist and an advocate for peace in the world.

Mbeki, in a tribute to Fayemi, noted that with the institute, the continent has acquired an important think tank that will immensely add to Africa’s capacity to find the right answers to the many challenges it faces.

Mbeki, who spoke virtually, argued that the African Union (AU) has to prepare properly to position Africa correctly within the emerging multipolar world, which has seen the emergence of the BRICS group of countries, and the insertion into the global agenda of such matters as the global de-dollarisation of international economic relations.

“What this means is that our continent must pay particular attention to the urgent strategic task to develop a leadership cadre capable of defending and advancing Africa’s interests within the context of competing global players, in a situation of both continuing globalisation and the institution of a multipolar world order .

“This requires an African cadre of leadership, which both understands and is truly committed to the Pan Africanist perspective. This also means an African cadre of leadership that is genuinely committed to serving the people of Africa, and firmly opposed to corruption and other self-serving behaviour by people in leading positions,” he said.

Also speaking on the institute, Gowon noted that Fayemi’s ideals and vision attests to his commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.

He stated that Fayemi’s leadership as governor of Ekiti State and Minister of Mines and Steel Development were exemplary, expressing the hope that the institute would be another feather in his cap.

“As I look back on my own life and legacy, I am reminded of the importance of perseverance, hard work, and dedication to the service of our great nation. Dr. Fayemi’s journey is a shining example of these values, and I have no doubt that he will continue to inspire and motivate others to follow in his footsteps,” the elder statesman stated.

He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Fayemi’s supporters, partners, and advocates that worked tirelessly to bring this institute to fruition.

President Tinubu, while applauding Fayemi for his role in the 2013 merger of opposition parties that formed the APC, described him as a committed patriot who played a crucial role in the campaign and governance of the APC-led administration.

He said: “Our party’s victory in the 2015 presidential election, defeating an incumbent president and a ruling party that had vowed to rule Nigeria for 60 unbroken years, was a fitting reward for the hard work, teamwork, and capacity demonstrated by Fayemi, other campaign council members, and party leadership.

“With our long years together in the trenches and years of party and national politics collaboration, Fayemi has been an able lieutenant, an invaluable ally, and a committed patriot. In exercising his democratic right, Dr Fayemi joined the presidential race as an aspirant on the platform of APC ahead of the 2023 elections. I was also an aspirant in the party .

“I announced my ambition well ahead of other aspirants in our party. After crisscrossing the country seeking the support of party delegates, Dr Fayemi, on the party convention night, was gracious when he openly announced that he was stepping down for me. His decision demonstrated remarkable humility and comradeship. Dr. Fayemi has exemplified service as an academic, author, administrator, and development expert.”

On his part, Obasanjo stated that Fayemi has lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation by all who desire the general good of all, adding that the nation would not forget his front row role as a pro-democracy activist and patriot .

“He has left an indelible mark as an energetic, committed, loyal, tested political player and quintessential rights activist, whose calling is to inspire others and improve the quality of life beyond personal gains. His response to the annulment of the democratic process by the military attests to his conviction in not giving up on issues of liberty, equality and freedom of choice when they need to be demanded and stood up for.

“Like many of our compatriots who could not cope with the fistic rule of the time, particularly during the regime of General Sani Abacha, he was an active pro-democracy campaigner. As one of the respected members of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), he refused to be cowed and fought tooth and nail to ensure the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria.

“The nation will never forget his commitment and how he endured harassment and threats to his life under despotic administration in his quest to ensure democracy and good governance and improved standard of living for Nigerians,” he said.

Babangida remarked that Fayemi comes across as one of the intellectual minds that helped to advance democracy through sustained advocacy and public scrutiny engagements, recalling that when he administered Ekiti State, he brought his progressive ideas and ideals to flourish, and left remarkable achievements that presently serve as benchmarks in the leadership equation in the state.

“I find you very engaging both in discourse and dissection of contemporary issues in Nigeria. Your background has also helped you to deepen conversations around governance and leadership in our shared commitment to seek solutions to societal and developmental challenges in the country. At 60, I feel your journey to achieving that ideal has just started,” he added.

Dangote described Fayemi as a brother and friend who has carved a unique niche for himself in the hallowed world of academia and in distinguished public and private service, to the admiration of friends, colleagues, counterparts, and mentees.

The business mogul remarked that as a former Minister of Solid Minerals Development; former Governor of Ekiti State and former Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum; pioneer President of the Forum of Regions of Africa (FORAF); Founder of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD); Fellow of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan, and Adjunct Professor of Security Studies at the African Centre for Strategic Studies, National Defence University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., United States, Fayemi has moved seamlessly between the public, private sectors and academia.

He added: “At the Dangote Group, we have benefitted tremendously from his loyalty, friendship, and uncommon support for our projects and business interests. Your visit to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, in December 2019 where you described the projects as the ‘pride of Africa’, still evokes heartwarming memories of your belief in our vision.”

Fayemi was at his true element at his 60th birthday thanksgiving service at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Isan Ekiti last Sunday, where re-echoed his philosophy of politics without bitterness before the congregation.

Faulting the widely held notion that fights among politicians are genuine, he maintained that as a product of God’s grace, he holds no grudge against anybody not only in Ekiti State but the country in general.

“Many will wonder why Governor Segun Oni is here. During his birthday, I spent the entire day with him, and Governor Ayodele Fayose too would have been here without hesitation if he was around.

“The vision we have always had is a state that will not be separated by political divide. We might belong to different political parties, but there is one party that we collectively belong to — the Ekiti Party, Ekiti Progressive Party — and our governor is carrying on with that.

“I also want to thank our governor for making me proud. It could have been otherwise. Things could have gone awry, but he is also a product of grace and that is why in spite of the travails that one might experience in the world of politics, we have a very cordial relationship based on mutual love and mutual respect,” Fayemi said.