BEVERLY HILLS, August 12, (THEWILL) – Ekiti State Governor-Elect, Mr. Ayo Fayose, has said he will not divert statutory allocations meant for Local Governments in the state to any Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, Tuesday, in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, quoted Fayose as saying this while featuring on a phone-in programme on NTA, Ado Ekiti on Monday.
Fayose was answering questions on the creation of 19 LCDAs by the outgoing governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
According to the governor-elect, what Fayemi created were LCDAs and not Local Government Areas.
“I want the people of Ekiti State to understand that what Governor Fayemi has created are Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and not Local Governments. Nobody can create Local Governments in Nigeria without complying with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. And I don’t think he has done anything bad. But as for me, in order not to breach the constitution, I will not allow the diversion of allocations meant for the 16 Local Government Areas in Ekiti to the LCDAs.
“Allowing that is diversion, and it is a breach of the constitution which I will swear to obey and uphold.
“There are 774 LGs in Nigeria and their names are in the Nigerian Constitution including the 16 in Ekiti State. I am very certain that the Ekiti people who elected me will not encourage me to breach the constitution,” he said.
On the comparison between his victory in the June 21 governorship poll in the state and last Saturday’s victory by Mr. Rauf Aregbesola in Osun State, Fayose noted that his victory was more comprehensive.
“For people to liken the victory of Aregbesola in Osun State to my own victory, the difference is very clear. Whereas Aregbesola, as an incumbent governor, defeated a Peoples Democratic Party candidate, I, Ayo Fayose , a PDP candidate, defeated an All Progressives Congress ( APC) incumbent governor, not slightly, but overwhelmingly and in all the 16 Local Governments of the state. Which is superior, which should be celebrated?” he asked.
On whether he would probe the outgoing government when he assumes office, he said he would not waste time doing that.
His words: “I am not going to probe the Fayemi administration. I want to act like a military officer taking over a command. My primary focus is how to put food on the tables of Ekiti people. And my administration will be judged by that.
“I will make sure the entitlements of former governors in the state are given to them. I have come to work, transform the face of Ekiti State and Ado-Ekiti in particular. I want to leave a legacy that the unborn generations will meet,” he said.
He also promised to make loan available to traders, artisans, and others in small scale businesses in order to boost their trades, adding that he had set up a committee to work on that.
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