ISAN

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has urged Governor Ayo Fayose to stop attacks on the people of Isan Ekiti and the removal of equipment at the College of Agriculture in the town. In a statement by its spokesperson, Taiwo Olatubosun, the party said Isan was the latest community to be singled out for vengeance and persecution by Fayose. It added that the college’s destruction would thwart the food security and livelihood programme conceived by his predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi. The governor allegedly sent people to the college on Wednesday to remove farm equipment. They were resisted by women and men, young and old. Children were said to have joined in the mass protest. The statement reads: “Signs that the governor will interfere with the college manifested immediately he assumed office three weeks ago when he said he was not going to recognise the college. “The people were prepared for him and that was why they resisted those he sent to the town to remove the tractors and equipment. “We are also aware that the Provost and Bursar were mandated to release about N40 million left in the school’s account. “Fayose is a leopard that can never change its spot. This is a man who deceived the world that he has changed only to embark on a vicious revenge mission against his perceived political and personal enemies. “He closed down the Federal Government College in the town without any reason and relocated the Agricultural Development Programme office (ADP) from Isan. “Fayose is doing this to get back at Isan community where former Governor Kayode Fayemi hails from and because it is in his character to always undermine the achievements of his predecessors. “The governor should see himself as the governor of all and should promote harmony rather than fan the embers of discord by setting communities against one another. “This is a man who vowed to have forgiven his enemies in church only for him the following day, to seal the petrol station of the Speaker of the House of Assembly. “He should take a cue on magnanimity from Fayemi who inherited Ado-Ifaki road from his predecessor, Segun Oni and completed the project despite the fact that Oni hails from Ifaki. So why is Fayose punishing Isan community because of Fayemi? “We wish to appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan to prevail on Fayose not to carry out his threat of crushing the people as the consequences will be too grave. “He will be held responsible for his policy against the people of Isan Ekiti, who have committed no offence other than protecting their remaining legacy. “We also wish to remind the governor that the college was established by an Act of the House of Assembly therefore, his move against the school is a breach of the law. “Fayose should stop being petty and live up to his promise of making life easy for Ekiti people and not unleash terror on communities he perceived as enemies.”