I’m a professor of politics- Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, yesterday said he was not a scientist or contractor and knew nothing but politics through which he could be made a professor. He therefore solicited the support of the people of the state for the programmes of his administration, through which the dividends of democracy would get to them.

He spoke in Ado-Ekiti during the celebration of the annual Udiroko Festival in the town. This is as the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, drew attention to the menace of ‘area boys’ and land speculators. Fayose, who described the Ewi as a pivot of development in the state, said the Ojaba Market would be rebuilt into a modern one before the next year’s Udiroko.

The market was recently gutted by fire during a clash between some drivers and Hausa/Fulani traders. “When a governor is making progress, there must be some forces propelling him. Ewi is one of those propelling my achievements and I am proud to associate with you.

“Your reign has witnessed unprecedented progress in Ado. I am assuring you that your town will develop more and that is about to start. During the last election, Ado-Ekiti gave me about 50,000 votes. I cannot joke with this. I’m not a scientist or a contractor, but I’m only a professor of politics.

I know where the votes are and the palace of Ewi is one of them. This is the more reason and many more why I cannot joke with this palace. “We have raised the stake of respect for the Ewi to the extent that no governor can come to Ekiti without paying homage, respect and obeisance to your palace. Ado-Ekiti people made me proud by voting for me in last year’s governorship poll and I will put your sons into positions of authority.

I will support them to be able to rise to stardom. “Please, let your people support my government to be able to change the face of development in the capital city and beyond. I want to build a flyover in Ado- Ekiti, but there is no money. I want to assure that as soon as our finances improve, I shall begin the project,” Fayose pledged.

Oba Adejugbe, who described Fayose as a blessing to the state, urged the government to clamp down on those he branded as ‘area boys’, who are constituting a nuisance to the state capital and grabbing people’s land to make money.

Oba Adejugbe, who said the activities of street urchins were hindering progress, called on the government to take decisive action against those youths before they become uncontrollable.

“I am not particularly happy with the activities of these youths. I want to call on our chiefs to be vigilant in all their areas and ensure that their activities are checked. They are not only harassing people, they are taking people’s lands to make money,” the monarch said.