Fayemi: Testimonies Of A Worthy Son

For a veteran social activist with roots in students’ unionism and civil society, it was no surprise that a surplus of social crusaders were on hand at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hotel on Wednesday, 04 May 2022 to witness and bear testimony at the declaration of Dr Kayode Fayemi for the 2023 presidential election.

Though Fayemi was making his declaration on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, there were sprinklings from other parties and indeed, apolitical persons who came to bear witness of the credentials of Dr Fayemi.

Perhaps, one of the outstanding moments of the day was the recognition of a rival presidential contender, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who even though he did not speak but through his presence gave a ringing testimony of Fayemi as a worthy rival and contender.

For the two term governor of Ekiti State, it was not surprising that that there was a generous outpouring of indigenes of the state who came to bear witness of the works of Fayemi as governor of Ekiti State.

While the political class was understandably well represented, undoubtedly, what perhaps may have counted as the best show of support for Fayemi were the ordinary members of the society from within and outside the state who bore witness of what they have benefited under the stewardship of the outgoing governor of Ekiti State.

Remarkably, several of the testimonies of the day also paid acknowledgment of the role of the wife of the governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi in inspiring the achievements of the governor.

This is no surprise given the fact that Mrs Fayemi in her own right had earned a reputation for her work in the social space.

Mrs Ngozi Kolawole who runs a charity for widows across the country was especially touching in her own contribution that afternoon, regaling the audience in her own way of how the impact of the social intervention works of the governor had impacted positively in the lives of widows in the state.

Mrs Kolawole, remarkably started by kneeling down in accordance with tradition before going on to laud Fayemi for his works. An Igbo lady who was married to a Yoruba man, now deceased, she spoke with a special knowledge of the sufferings of widows.

She spoke in Yoruba and English before translating to Igbo to reach the Igbo in the audience. Though she claimed not to be campaigning, it was, however, very obvious were her heart lay in the political race.

She prayed for Mama (Erelu Fayemi) and wished the couple God’s blessings in the contest ahead.

Miss Modupe Mary Adetiba was another person who spoke on behalf of students and youths laying forth the desire of that segment of society for a man like Fayemi to take charge and address what she described as the lacuna in the society.

“Nigerian students and youths desire a society where the leadership will constructively engage Nigerian youths and students and we believe that you will give us that kind of leadership,” Adetiba said in flowery language that received a handsome appreciation of the audience.

She was followed by another orator in the person of Hamzat Lawal who also spoke on behalf of the youths of Nigeria who also noted how Fayemi has inspired the youth population.
“You have inspired and continue to inspire my generation. You have inspired not because you are in public office, but because you are a good man,” Lawal said.

A segment of the University of Lagos Alumni was also present to endorse the aspiration. The group led by High Chief Hyson Amufenme caused some liveliness in the hall as they praised their institution and that activism that was in Fayemi in his youthful days came to the fore as the governor was roused by his old school mates.

Fayemi was caught raising his fist in acknowledgment of the hail of Great Akokites as the UNILAG alumni interspersed within the hall cheered themselves.

A representative of the people living with disabilities was also on ground to laud the efforts of the governor in Ekiti State which include among others the establishment of a Disabilities Commission. He tasked the governor to go forth and project at the national level what he has done in Ekiti State.

A member of the PDP from Bayelsa State was also on hand in seeming acknowledgment of the claim that Fayemi may not be a difficult product to market across the country. His claim was upon the fact that the testimony of Fayemi in Ekiti State would be the basis of such a successful political enterprise.

He, however, also acknowledged the fact that his wife is from Ekiti and that the family has benefited from the empowerment schemes of the governor.

Perhaps what may have capped the accolades was the testimony of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti and chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon who while declaring that Fayemi has done well as a two term governor of the state, two term chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum said he had listened to the accolades with fascination. He even paid tribute to the presence of a rival presidential aspirant, Senator Ibikunle Amosun as evidence of the dignity with which Fayemi is held outside the state. Upon that, he said that he was going back to Ekiti to tell his fellow traditional rulers and all the people that their governor is a worthy son.

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