ALL HAIL JKF ON THIS PATH OF JUSTICE, GOOD CONSCIENCE AND RESTORATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE VALUES
This is a very good and wise decision. The previous Government erred in the determination of the affected Permanent Secretaries. There were no proof of that the Permanent Secretaries were politicians neither were they Involved in politics.
The challenge of the past administration was that these set of officers like some others who were later disengaged flouted the orders or personal directives of the siting Governor that were contrary to Public Service practice and Civil Service Rules. The Governor was not ready for such persons.
I can personally attest to the harassment that Mrs. Funke Falodun (nee Akanle) faced over her refusal to agree to the demolition of part of my family estate which Governor Fayose attempted to execute because he tagged me as JKF man. Fayose was infuriated that I allowed JKF and APC to use my facilities free of charge during the campaign of 2014 Election while I disallowed him and PDP from using the place. However, he was the cause of that action for many other reasons that I will leave for another day beyond politics. Once beaten, twice shy.
Every effort of Fayose to demolish my family estate was thwarted by the kind hearted woman – Mrs. Falodun (nee Akanle) from official and professional viewpoint. She interrogated me in her office and confirmed all my papers in the land registry and other places. She saw all the existing approval for the buildings and that they existed on family land of an original owners. She therefore went far with me to see Barrister Owoseni Ajayi the then Attorney General when Fayose refused to meet us insisting that she should sign demolition order for my building.
Despite her efforts and the fact that I presented all documents on the land and buildings with the approved layout and survey plans of Western Nigeria, showing the ownership of land and the building plans and even court rulings, Fayose was not ready to hear other than pull down his structures. He wanted to use the power of a Governor arbitrarily and in an oppressive manner. What a shame!
Mrs. Falodun was exceptionally conscience striken and fair-minded public official who wanted reasonableness and
justice balanced with equity and fair play. She was a good daughter of the father, late Chief Akanle SAN. I really commend the great woman for standing with probity, accountability and social justice which are hallmarks of public service. Mrs. Falodun is a mother, a sister, a family friend and an old student of the school that I am proud of.
To cut my long story short, when Fayose insisted on having his way with the demolition of my property, it took the intervention of Aare Afe Babalola SAN, CON, OFR, some Ekiti Obas and other friends who have personal or political relationship with Fayose before he backed down. He came to my estate with bulldozers and police on several occasions and I have one of it in recording carried out in the dead of the night. He sent several Ministry officials to review the Building plans with the structure on ground and to measure if I strictly complied with the rules in looking for ways to find fault with the structure or use any violation of the building code to effect demolition but all failed because I didn’t flout the rules.
Fayose was just a vindictive leader and very incalcitrant fellow who does not believe in moral suation, good conscience and loyalty to the state. Anyone working for his government must have personal loyalty towards him and be ready to do his bidding. Otherwise such persons will be dealt with without any kind consideration of due process and what the service rules precipitate and enforces in handling cars of officers indictment or relief from service.
I believe that the Human Rights Commission saw these facts in deciding the case of the affected officers in their favour. Kudos to Governor Fayemi for taking steps to restore them back to their duty post. I am overjoyed by the action. It is rather considerate, humane, just and compassionate. In my personal investigation and overall perspectives, most if not all the reinstated public officials were close associates of the people in the Government of JKF by association and not by partisan politics or political interests. At least three of them were old students of Christ’s School who share in the alumni spirit with JKF namely: Falodun, Ologuntoye and Alokan. They were not partisan or politically involved in JKF government but were seen as potential threats by Fayose because he believed in personal loyalty rather than official loyalty which the affected persons would have rendered to any government.
Whenever the leadership of a Government desire to install puppets and synchophants as their advisers and public Officers and only those who can be silent, who can help them to manipulate records or who can engage in sharp practices without observance of due process, then the value of leadership will be predicated on oppression and dictatorship.
I congratulate the reinstated officers and pray for good and visionary leadership to occupy the helms of affairs of our great state now and in future.
J.E.T. Babatola JP
FCIA, FCAI, FNUA, FIMC, MNIM, MAUA(UK), ACIPM, ANIE, PhD Research Scholar
Registrar and Secretary to Council,
Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe
Bayelsa State
