“For every reason there is to lie, there is a better reason to tell the truth.”
Bo Bennett (American Author, Programmer and Philanthropist)
This truism averred by Bennett appears to be lost on a certain Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi whose diatribe titled “Kudi Rat: A Money Eating Philosophy Running Ekiti State’s Office of the First Lady”, published online by Sahara Reporters, was nothing short of a tissue of lies.
His writing was disjointed and lacked structure, making it extremely difficult to read and even harder to comprehend. What was however very clear was the writer’s intentions to smear very respectable personalities who are working hard to positively impact the lives of the people of Ekiti, namely, Governor Fayemi, his wife Erelu Bisi Fayemi, and the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji.
On Governor Fayemi, the writer did well to acknowledge the role played by the activist/academic turned politician in the pro-democracy struggle, but conveniently failed to acknowledge the impact of the style and content of his politics and governance in Ekiti and beyond. He rightly mentioned that Governor Fayemi was mentored by M.K.O. Abiola of blessed memory but failed to see the nexus between the legacy of Abiola who was one of the most detribalized Nigerians who embraced people of all faiths, and the symbolic attendance of Governor Fayemi at the Jumat thanksgiving service organised as part of activities marking the third year anniversary of the second tenure of his administration.
He betrayed crass ignorance by positing that the Governor’s attendance at the Jumat service was an attempt to curry the favour of Muslims ahead of the rumoured 2023 presidential bid. Such fallacy! It is on record that Governor Fayemi, though a Christian, usually finds time to fellowship with Muslims in the state on occasion, and since his first term in office from as far back as 2011, he has made it a tradition to honour the Muslim community in the state by worshiping with them during the anniversary week, the same way many Muslims routinely attend State Church events. Governor Fayemi understands that he is governor of both Muslims and Christians in the state.
Dr Akinyemi then proceeds to attack the person of the First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, whose track record as a development specialist, writer, and activist, has brought nothing but value to the people of Ekiti. As against the lies peddled by the writer, Erelu Fayemi does not control the affairs of any Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs), in the Government of Ekiti State, but supports them in different ways to achieve very noble objectives.
The writer’s unkind cut on the person of the First Lady does not only betray his prejudice, but it also shows his scant knowledge of how the office is run. As a citizen who has a background in journalism and civil society, she sure has her views on local, national, and global issues. But her ceremonial role as First Lady does not confer on her such “absolute power” that Dr Akinyemi regaled her with. So, saying that she would or could use her position to impose someone as governorship candidate of the party in the state is illogical and a total fallacy.
Akinyemi should know that the All Progressives Party (APC), as a party with structure and ethics, has a well structured pathway for electing its candidates for any election. It is also pertinent to note that neither the very focused and diligent Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Biodun Oyebanji nor any of the rumoured governorship aspirants of the party has officially indicated interest in the race for Oke Ayoba Government House, thus the idea of imposing a candidate is not only misplaced but mischievous.
Whereas Dr Akinyemi cited a faceless group known as Ekiti Youth for Equity led by Victor Omogbemile as the propagator of the allegation, one would have expected him to dig a little further about the antecedence of the group before regurgitating their biased claims. He would have been well guided and saved himself from the embarrassment.
It is unnecessary to respond to other outrageous claims about the politics of succession in Ekiti that Akinyemi alluded to – suffice to say that the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi remains very focused on finishing well, and a worthy candidate would emerge through the party’s structures and processes, who would hopefully become the next governor that would uphold and further the good work done by Governor Fayemi.
In the meantime, those interested in contesting the Ekiti 2022 gubernatorial race, or who have individuals they support, would do well to concentrate on broad based consultation, engagement, and canvassing to stand a chance of emerging, rather than sponsoring divisive and misleading writings. In this regard, it is important that Dr Akinyemi, who, we gather also runs a gospel ministry, be reminded of the six things the Almighty God hates, and which are considered abominations to him as recorded in Proverbs 16: “A proud look, *a lying tongue*, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, *feet that be swift in running to mischief*, *a false witness that speaketh lies*, and *he that soweth discord among brethren*.”
- Obadero Olanipekun, a public analyst writes from Ado- Ekiti.