NEVER AGAIN!
By Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, Gov., Ekiti State
As much as today
marks the beginning of
a new phase in our
history as a people,
it also signals
the end of an era,
or more appropriately,
the end of an error.
Without a doubt,
Ekiti has been through
a horrible wilderness experience
in the past four years.
Our reputation as a people
has been sullied and
we have become the butt of jokes
due to the crass ineptitude,
loquacious ignorance,
and ravenous corruption
masquerading as governance
in our State during this past administration.
NEVER AGAIN!
We will ensure that
within one hundred days from today,
Ekiti Kete will know
the true position of things,
in keeping with our ethos of transparency
and accountability in governance.
We are not interested in trials by media,
witch hunting or playing to the gallery.
We will seek out the truth
and lay it before our people.
NEVER AGAIN!
As I have said time and again,
my coming back to the office
is not a revenge mission,
but rather a healing balm
on a painful wound. However, as the events of
the past four years go
into the history books,
we owe it a duty
to ourselves and
generations coming after us,
to work together to ensure that
NEVER AGAIN!
Never again…
shall we be deceived
into making such a
grievous mistake
that has set us back so steeply
on the development curve.
Certainly, we would not all belong
to the same political party
nor share the same ideological beliefs,
but the reins of leadership
in Ekiti State
must never again be allowed
to fall into the hands
of those who do not understand
what governance or development
is all about.
NEVER AGAIN!
Never again…
should we give up
free and qualitative
education
for herculean fees
and taxes levied on
our school children;
NEVER AGAIN!
Never again…
should we give up
free healthcare and
functional hospitals
for a total neglect of the health sector;
NEVER AGAIN!
Never again…
should we give up
integrated infrastructure development
for bridges that lead to nowhere;
NEVER AGAIN!
Never again…
should we give up
a burgeoning tourism sector
and a revitalised Ikogosi
for decrepit structures
now overrun by reptiles;
never again should we
give up the peace
and unity of our State
for increased crime rates
and general insecurity;
NEVER AGAIN!
Never again…
should we give up
transparent and
accountable governance,
with the requisite checks
and balances of independent
Judicial and Legislative arms of government,
for draconian one-man shows;
NEVER AGAIN!
Never again…
should we give up
our reputation as
a honourable and
knowledgeable people,
to be known as apostles
of stomach infrastructure.
NEVER AGAIN!
Never again…
Shall we sacrifice
Prompt payment of salaries
For indulgence in pursuance
Of projects of minimal benefit to the people.
NEVER AGAIN!