Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose yesterday demanded for the right to nominate the minister to represent the state at the Federal Executive Council.
The governor, who belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), promised to send what he called “a worthy and competent Ekiti professional for appointment” as minister in the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.
Fayose’s request is causing ripples in the state as he was among the PDP chieftains, who led a hate campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari in the run-up to the March 28 presidential election.
He sponsored series of hate adverts with the most controversial, suggesting that Buhari might die in office on account of old age and unnamed health challenges.
But the governor noted that his request to nominate a ministerial candidate “was based on the declaration made by the President that he would put the overall interest of the country above partisan interests and biases”.
Fayose’s letter, dated May 31, stated that his demand was based on constitutional provisions.
The governor said: “Should the request be favourably disposed to, I shall be happy to nominate a worthy and competent professional who can always oblige your Excellency and your cabinet the benefit of a second opinion in the serious business of governance.”
He also hinted that his letter was on the strength of the 1999 Constitution Section 147 (2) and (3).
Fayose argued that Ekiti is a PPD-controlled state where the governor, the National Assembly and the State Assembly members are all PDP members.
He contended that “in the spirit of an all-inclusive government with capacity for national integration,” the President should accord him the honour and privilege to name the minister from Ekiti State.
In substantiating his argument, Fayose said former President Olusegun Obasanjo of the PDP appointed opposition figures into the then Federal Executive Council.
He cited the example of the late Chief Bola Ige who was initially appointed Minister of Power and Steel before he was later appointed Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The governor also cited the example of former AD National Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Abdulkadir, who was appointed Special Adviser by Obasanjo.
But the APC in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, described Fayose’s request as “a gratuitous insult and madness at its worst fit”.
The party said: “Even if he were to be APC governor, hasn’t President Muhammadu Buhari made it clear that he won’t allow governors pick ministers for him?
“Why didn’t Fayose fight for former Governor Kayode Fayemi to allow him suggest Ekiti ministerial nominees for President Goodluck Jonathan when the former President was appointing his ministers?
“We hope Fayose will, for once, strike a sane chord in his public conduct and stop hallucinating about the right to nominate candidates for Ekiti ministerial slot.”
Can this guy please concentrate on running Ekiti State and try doing something for the people of that state instead of chasing shadows all over the place. The president needs real people that will work, not stooges that will answer to governors.