Tinubu hails Fayemi as a fearless Democrat, loyal ally on 60th birthday

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, lauding him as a committed patriot, fearless democrat, and a trusted ally as he marks his 60th birthday.

In a heartfelt message, Tinubu reflected on their longstanding relationship, which dates back to the 1990s when they collaborated in the pro-democracy movement, campaigning locally and internationally against military dictatorship.

“During the challenging General Sani Abacha era, civil rights and pro-democracy activists, especially those in exile, had to rely on their ingenuity to survive. Kayode’s brilliance, commitment, and strategic skills were invaluable to our cause.

“The struggle for Chief MKO Abiola’s release from incarceration and the de-annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, then considered the freest and fairest in Nigeria, led to the constriction of the civic space by the military.

“The military government routinely raided and proscribed newspapers such as the Concord, Punch, Guardian, and magazines such as Tempo/TheNews and TELL. General Abacha was running amok, arresting activists, jailing journalists, and instilling fears in anyone opposed to his oppressive regime.

“There was a need to have a radio station covering the activities of the pro-democracy movement at home and abroad and putting more significant pressure on the Abacha junta. Dr Fayemi and other activists actualised the birth of the pro-democracy radio, Radio Kudirat, named in honour of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, who agents of the Abacha regime murdered,” Tinubu said.

The president noted that the deaths of General Abacha and Chief Abiola in 1998 altered the course of events, necessitating a reassessment of their engagement strategy.

“When General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who succeeded Abacha, announced a short transition programme, many of us in the pro-democracy movement decided to return home to participate.

“Dr. Fayemi returned to Nigeria in 1999 to establish the Centre for Democracy and Development, an organisation dedicated to promoting democracy, peace-building, and security in Nigeria and Africa. He also operated the centre in Accra, Ghana.

“In 2006, Dr. Fayemi transitioned from being a public intellectual to a political leadership role as state governor. After a keenly contested party primary, Fayemi emerged as our party’s candidate for the 2007 governorship election in Ekiti State against the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Engr. Segun Oni.

“Though the PDP candidate was declared the winner, it was evident that Dr Fayemi and our party, Action Congress, had been denied victory. We challenged the election at the Election Petitions Tribunal. After a long, painful, and emotionally draining legal battle that lasted over three years, Dr Fayemi was declared the winner in 2010 following a court-ordered re-run,” Tinubu recounted.

He also highlighted Fayemi’s pivotal role in the merger of opposition parties that led to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.

Fayemi, he recalled, chaired the panel that conducted the presidential primaries in Lagos, which produced Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s candidate.

“Fayemi then deployed his energy and organisational ability as the Director of Policy of the APC/Buhari Campaign Council, which successfully prosecuted the 2015 presidential election.

“Our party’s victory in 2015, defeating an incumbent president and a ruling party that had vowed to govern Nigeria for 60 unbroken years, was a fitting reward for the hard work, teamwork, and capacity demonstrated by Fayemi, other campaign council members, and party leadership,” he said.

After serving as Minister in President Buhari’s first term, Fayemi returned as Ekiti State Governor in 2018, leading the state through economic challenges while making a lasting impact in governance.

“With our long years together in the trenches and years of party and national politics collaboration, Fayemi has been an able lieutenant, an invaluable ally, and a committed patriot.

“In exercising his democratic right, Dr Fayemi joined the presidential race as an aspirant on the platform of APC ahead of the 2023 elections. I was also an aspirant in the party. I announced my ambition well ahead of other aspirants in our party.

“After crisscrossing the country seeking the support of party delegates, Dr Fayemi, on the night of the party convention, was gracious when he openly announced that he was stepping down for me. His decision demonstrated remarkable humility and comradeship.

“Dr. Fayemi has exemplified service as an academic, author, administrator, and development expert. As he turns 60, I wish him continued health and fulfilment in the years ahead,” Tinubu said.