For Questions, Enquiries, 
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State speaks in this interview monitored on Channels Television on the Excess Crude Account, his presidential ambition and the forthcoming governorship election in his state. WALE ELEGBEDE reports
You said that some of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors were not privy to the release of $1billion and what has become the payment for the 12 aircraft that Nigeria is buying from the United States. But in politics, they say that majority carries the vote…
Most of the times, the majority is never right; most of the times, majority tells lie; most of the times especially in our type of democracy, a lot would naturally be wrong with the majority. Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and myself, let me mention a few were not present at the meeting. These were things done quickly with what I termed meeting before the meeting, agenda in meeting and meeting after meeting. Let me equally say this, we are not talking about N1billion, we are talking about $1billion, which means N365billion. That means in 365 days from now they will be spending N1billion daily, that is strange!
You think that is too much for security?
There is nothing extremely too much for security. But let me say to you that in a country where they told us so many hope-like things like we have defeated Boko Haram. They have given us all impressions that they are on top of the situation. The budget is there already, appropriated, without this $1billion. Where are all these monies going? You can recall that Transparency International and other organisations said most of the contracts awarded in Nigeria by the military, the money finds their way to private accounts abroad. Majority of the PDP governors that I represent have nothing to do with this money.
But some of them were in the press conference to that effect?
I haven’t seen evidence of that. In Nigeria, we have what they called federation account. The Supreme Court judgment says all accruals must go to that federation account and be shared by the three tiers of government. The apex court also nullified the Excess Crude Account, which means all accruals must go to the central purse where the federal government, state governments and the local governments will take their share. You might tell me that in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan they did that, but the fact that something was done at a given time does not mean that is right at all times.
But your state has benefitted from the Excess Crude Account at the beginning of this administration?
That is not correct. If anybody has evidence to that effect they should produce it and I will apologise to Nigerians. The ECA in itself is not supposed to be in existence in the first place. Every accrual in this country is supposed to go to a federation account and it is supposed to be shared by the three tiers of government. As at today, the Federal Government is spending money that belongs to three tiers of government. At the beginning of any fiscal year, there is a budget benchmark.
The current one is about $42 but today the price of crude oil is around $73. The difference is in the range of excess $30. Instead of the Federal Government allowing the state governments and the local governments to take their share, they will tell you they are improving on foreign reserve, fantastic. You can improve on that with your resources but states in a federating unit are as important as the Federal Government and as important the local government.
Let me tell you the caution for the National Assembly and the Federal Government. Ekiti State local governments are before Justice Nyako, we have filed this matter immediately that happened to raise objections.
What they are doing is executive rascality and the National Assembly cannot debate this matter. The matter is in the court and we have served the National Assembly and I want the Senate President to hear this because if they go ahead we are going to take them to court for contempt.
But the money has been spent and it is a government to government transaction…
Whatever name you call it, there are standard procedures for governance. You don’t violate Nigeria’s procedure whether is to the United State or to anyone.
Are you happy that there seems to be some progress being made security wise in the country?
Don’t let us fool Nigerians; I am not into propaganda here. Since Independence to the time President Buhari took over this country, the killings between that time and now is more than the whole time of independence of this country.
The killings in Nigeria are now day-to-day. If you open the newspapers all you see now is 30 killed, 40 killed and so on. You cant guarantee the security of Nigerians any more. President Buhari rode on three cardinal legs when he was campaigning. He said he will secure Nigerians, fight corruption and secure the economy. A bag of rice when Buhari took over was N7,500, what is it now? Nigerians are not daily killed like this.
The economy is more battered now. Nigerians have not gained anything from Buhari government, they have lost many things. Nigerians are hungry, they are crying and suffering. The herdsmen have killed more than ever before; they are now seeing it as a right to kill people.
Do you still want to be president?
I will by the grace of God. I am going to run a beautiful campaign as a president. Let us finish the Ekiti governorship election. You don’t take two legs at the same time. Nigerians want a man that can fix this country.
And you think you are the best man?
Yes, by the grace of God. I served with President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Umaru Yar’adua was my colleague, I served with President Jonathan, I am in President Bu-hari’s administration. I am the most experienced person in government today. Nigerians are grossly disappointed in Buhari. Who cares who the president of Nigeria is if things are going on well? Are you telling me that things are going on well in this country? You will see what will happen in this election.
Are you afraid that when you leave office you may be in trouble?
Who is God on earth, none? What are they talking about? Is it all these muzzlings of people? I have done everything; I have defended Nigerians and I have no apology and I will never have one. Let me tell you again, those waiting for me will wait in vain, I am Peter the Rock. If they like, let them lock me up from today till next year. We have seen presidents, we will still see more, and this one too will soon pass.
You have anointed your deputy to succeed you and you may be up against some of your friends who are aspiring for the same position?
Let me take you outside the shores of Nigeria. President Barak Obama publicly declared support for the Clinton family especially Senator Hilary Clinton against all other candidates. Today, I am a sitting governor by the grace of God. As a Nigerian, I am entitled to who I support. With all humility and respect to other aspirants, we have sat and we have discussed. It’s not a news that I am supporting Prof. Kolapo Olusola and I am not sorry. This guy worked with me as deputy governor and he has done well. Is it all the time we throw all these deputies away? Do I throw this guy away and go pick somebody who is not.
Some people said you chose him so as to easily manipulate him?
What is there to manipulate? The buck stops at his table. He has his own future to defend. Somebody must support somebody. They said Fayose is not a professor but this deputy is a professor. When we took over, Ekiti was number 34 in education, with the support of this young man, Ekiti came first in NECO in 2016l2017. So, I should throw this good hand into the dustbin?
Are you afraid you are losing support, for example, your brother left your party?
Which brother? I don’t know who you are talking about. The only person that can dump me that I can care is my wife. I owe allegiance to that woman only. I don’t care who dumps me so far I am doing the right thing. The issues are clear; Adeyeye is another qualified Ekiti man and same as Olujimi. Whosoever that wins the election I stand with the.
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