The African Democratic Congress, ADC, Ekiti State Chapter, strongly condemns the statement credited to former Governor Ayodele Fayose in which he alleged that Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka would have paid him back with evil if he had won the 2018 governorship election.
We consider this remark reckless, divisive, ungodly, and a direct attack on the character and integrity of the learned Professor.
A statement by the State Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress, ADC
Ekiti State Chapter, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan says Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka served Ekiti meritoriously as Deputy Governor. Throughout his years of public service, he has been known for humility, scholarship, and a peaceful disposition. To suggest that he could repay good with evil is a deliberate attempt by the former Governor to malign his reputation without any evidence.
Prof. Eleka served as Fayose’s deputy for 4 years. It is therefore hypocritical for the same person who nominated and worked with him to now turn around and accuse him of evil.
While we are not surprised by Fayose’s uncouth language, it reflects a pattern. He has always assumed that other politicians are like him people who repay their benefactors with evil.
He has called former President Olusegun Obasanjo former President Goodluck Jonathan and the late Senator Buruji Kashamu all of whom once supported and financed him — unprintable names.
He has also severally accused members of his own family of repaying him with evil.
Leadership demands civility and respect. Nigerians expect a former Governor to be a statesman who offers solutions to the myriad of problems facing the state. Unfortunately, Mr. Fayose has become a jester and an apostle of hate, vengeance, and political witch-hunt.
Fayose’s uncanny behavior speaks volumes about the venom he harbors for those who refused to be his “slave boys.” It exposes a dangerous godfather mentality.
A leader who thinks in terms of enemies and revenge is unfit to counsel the next generation of Ekiti leaders.
The ADC Ekiti State Chapter therefore calls on the former Governor to retract the statement and tender an unreserved apology to Prof. Eleka and to the people of Ekiti.
We also urge all political actors to desist from using poisonous language that can incite division.
Ekiti deserves leaders who heal, not those who divide. Leaders who build, not those who curse.
