Fayemi Gives Reason He has Not Made Any Political Appoint

Dr Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti State, has given reason he has not selected political office holders more than two months after being sworn-in.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that only the Secretary to Government (SSG), Chief of Staff (COS), Acting Head of Service (HOS), Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, as well as Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor, among few others had been appointed.

The state is yet to have a list of Commissioners and Special Advisers which the governor would have to send to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

The governor, however, while speaking at a news conference in Ado Ekiti on Monday blamed the delay in the appointment of political offices holders to the sorry state of finances on ground on assuming office on Oct. 16 to the delay.

“I decided to delay appointment of politicians to government to enable me pay workers’ salaries.

“I don’t want to do media trial for anyone, so I have hired the services of a renowned audit firm to look into our finances, and the forensic state’s accounts will then be published during our 100 days in office in Jan. 2019,” he said.

The governor, also accused his predecessor, Ayodele Fayose of wasted N18b Paris Club Refund to Ekiti.

The governor debunked insinuation that the state collected a N11.5b Paris Club from the Federal Government, barely two months after his assumption of office.

“Let those making the allegation come with verifiable proofs to substantiate their claim. Let them come with evidence.

“I have not collected any money in the fashion of road intervention or Paris Club refund.

“Governor Fayose had the opportunity of paying the bulk of these backlogs of salaries and pensions.

“He collected the sum of N18b out of the N21.5b due to Ekiti in the refund, so what is left as balance for Ekiti to collect now is just N3.5b, which can’t pay a month if we add the overhead costs of subvention of institutions.

“As we speak, we are doing a lot of cleansing and that had reduced the monthly pay to workers to N2.1b.

“Those not properly employed had been left out until they provide evidence. The medical workers that were employed on consequential ground had been re-absorbed,’’ he said.