.Envoy commends Fayose on infrastructure
By Valentine Amanze
The United State of America (U.S.A) Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. W. Stuart Symington, has assured that his country would work with all stakeholders to ensure that July 14, 2018 governorship election in the state was free, fair and credible.
He also commended the governor of
Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on infrastructural development in the state.
Symington, who visited Fayose alongside his aide, Mima Torres, was received at the Ayoba House in the governor office.
The U.S. envoy said that he was impressed with the patriotic zeal of Nigerians.
He said, “Nigerians are proud to be Nigerians, when you ask them what they love most about their country, they would say it is our resilience, energy, diversity, unity and friendliness.”
The U.S envoy told Fayose that his three years in office has been keenly observed by the U.S.
Stating the purpose for his visit to the state, Symington said: “We are in
Ektiti because we believe in Nigeria, every state, every corner matters.
We have seen what you have done in the last three years, it is very
commendable.
“Our concern in U.S. is that we want to see leaders who care about others and
not themselves.” Symington also urged Fayose to ensure support for Ekiti women,
who are interested in agriculture, while revealing that the U.S is particularly
interested in what programme governor Fayose has for the nation as a presidential hopeful.
He stressed on the need for free, fair and credible elections, and
promised that the U.S would ensure that subsequent elections in Nigeria,
particularly in Anambra and Ekiti states, are free and fair and credible.
“The U.S will work with other stakeholders to ensure that elections are
free, fair and credible in Nigeria. We believe that we must have elections, where people will be ready and willing to participate in, that is, a
peaceful and orderly election,” Symington said.
Responding, Governor Fayose said that the major problem retarding the growth of the country was poor attitude by the people and the insincerity of leaders.
He decried a situation where those claiming to be fighting corruption do so
with some people being their targets.
He recalled that despite many allegations and petitions against the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, he has not been
investigated or charged to court because he is a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress. He also decried the various intimidation,
harassment and illegal detention of Ekiti government officials by the ruling federal government agents.
“Our greatest challenge is not corruption but insincerity of leaders. Those
claiming to fight corruption are not sincere. Without justice, we can’t move forward. There must be equity in the way we do things. Being selective in the fight against corruption will not take us anywhere.
On his presidential ambition, Fayose assured the U.S envoy that he was qualified to rule the nation: “I have the required experience to
lead this country. I have worked with the presidents we have elected into
office in this country and I am able to manage the economy of my state despite lean resources. In the US and the UK they ask you your experience
when seeking for a job not your paper qualifications. I have managed a poor economy in my state and that shows my ability to deliver,” he said.
On the coming governorship election in the state, Fayose said that the
opposition would not win 10 out of the 177 wards in the state.
He urged the U.S to ensure the Nigerian government allows a free and fair election. He assured that his government and party would play the game with
fairness.
“We are in firm control and the people are in our support. We just want to appeal to America and the international community to keep an eye on the poll. We don’t want INEC to come to our state with preloaded card readers
or manipulate the process. We are sure to repeat the victory of 2014 when we won in all local government areas,” he stated.
The governor also urged the U.S envoy to give special consideration to
Ekiti indigenes who are awarded government scholarship for studies and
training in U.S, saying denying them visas on grounds that they may not
return isn’t helping the situation. He assured U.S that all indigenes whose
traveling is okayed by his government are well behaved people.