February 10, 2025 by and Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado-Ekiti

• From left: Ekiti State deputy governor, Mrs. Monisade Afuye; first civilian governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; the celebrator/ immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji; and his wife, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, during Dr. Fayemi’s 60th birthday thanksgiving at St. Martin’s Catholic Church, Isan-Ekiti...yesterday.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said former Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is “an able lieutenant, an invaluable ally, and a committed patriot” in the struggle to protect democracy in the country.

In a heartfelt birthday wish he personally signed on yesterday’s celebration of the former governor’s 60th birthday, President Tinubu reflected on his association with Dr. Fayemi, which he said began during the pro-democracy struggles in the 1990s.

The President lauded the former governor’s brilliance, commitment, and strategic skills, particularly in the fight against military dictatorship.

“During the challenging General Sani Abacha era, civil rights and pro-democracy activists, especially those in exile, had to rely on their ingenuity to survive. Kayode’s brilliance, commitment, and strategic skills were invaluable to our cause,” President Tinubu said.

The President acknowledged Fayemi’s instrumental role in establishing Radio Kudirat, a pro-democracy radio station which amplified the resistance against the Sani Abacha regime and honoured the slain activist, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.

Following the deaths of Abacha and Bashorun Moshood Abiola in 1998, President Tinubu recalled that Dr. Fayemi transitioned from activism to academia and governance. Upon returning to Nigeria in 1999, he founded the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) to promote democratic values and peace-building across Africa.

The President noted that Fayemi forayed into politics in 2006, when he contested for the Ekiti governorship under the defunct Action Congress (AC).

Though initially denied victory in the 2007 elections, Fayemi persevered through a protracted legal battle that lasted over three years before he was declared the rightful winner in 2010.

President Tinubu also acknowledged that the former Ekiti governor’s impact extended beyond state politics. He credited Fayemi with playing a pivotal role in the historic 2013 merger of opposition parties, which led to the formation of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fayemi also chaired the panel that conducted the APC presidential primaries in 2014, which produced then-candidate Muhammadu Buhari.

“Our party’s victory in the 2015 presidential election, defeating an incumbent president and a ruling party that had vowed to rule Nigeria for 60 unbroken years, was a fitting reward for the hard work, teamwork, and capacity demonstrated by Fayemi, other campaign council members, and party leadership,” President Tinubu said.

After serving as Minister of Mines and Steel Development in Buhari’s first term, Fayemi returned as Ekiti State governor in 2018.

The President acknowledged the former governor’s contributions to governance, despite some economic challenges, stressing that Fayemi “made his mark in the governance of Ekiti State”.

The President also lauded Fayemi’s sportsmanship during the APC presidential primaries ahead of the 2023 general election. A fellow aspirant to Asiwaju Tinubu during the primaries, Fayemi ultimately stepped down on the convention night, an action the President described as a demonstration of “remarkable humility and comradeship”.

Beyond politics, President Tinubu also lauded Fayemi’s contributions as an academic, author, administrator, and development expert.

“As he turns 60, I wish him continued health and fulfillment in the years ahead,” the President added.

Dr. Fayemi yesterday said he enjoys a cordial relationship with Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

The former governor noted that their relationship is based on mutual love and respect as well as shared commitment to the development of the state.

He expressed pride in Oyebanji who he said has made him proud by his exemplary leadership and demonstrated capacity in all-round development of the state.

Fayemi spoke yesterday at a thanksgiving on his 60th birthday at St. Martins’ Catholic Church in Isan-Ekiti.

The former governor hailed his successor for his inclusive leadership style, saying this has fostered stability, progress, and development across the state.

He said: “I am a product of grace and I have so many reasons to be thankful to God at 60. I also want to thank our governor for making me proud. It could have been otherwise.

“Things could have gone awry, but he is also a product of grace. That is why in spite of the travails that one might experience in the world of politics, we have a very cordial relationship based on mutual love and mutual respect.

“So, all these things you read in social media are for your entertainment.

“Many will wonder why Governor Segun Oni is here. When he was celebrating his birthday, I spent the entire day with him and (former) Governor Ayodele Fayose too would have been here without hesitation, if he was around.

“That is Ekiti. The vision we have always had is a state that will not be separated by political divide. We might belong to different political parties, but there is one party that we collectively belong to, that is the Ekiti party, Ekiti Progressive Party, and our governor is carrying on with that.”

Oyebanji described Fayemi’s 60th birthday as a celebration of life dedicated to service and excellence.

The governor lauded his predecessor’s visionary leadership and unparalleled contribution to the state.

“The only thing I am going to say is to thank you for your support and for handholding me.

Thank you so much for all you have done for Ekiti people. Thank you so much for all that you have done for your mentees all over the world. I thank Erelu Bisi Fayemi and Folajimi for sharing you with us.

“We are proud of you; Ekiti people are immensely proud of your achievements. It has been 60 years of progressive impact,” he said.