President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Abiodun Oyebanji, Bisi Fayemi, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa) and others have felicitated with the former Governor of Ekiti State as well as former Minister of Minerals Development, Dr John Kayode Fayemi on his 60th birthday.
In his tribute to Fayemi, Tinubu chronicled the journey so far with Fayemi saying, “My relationship with Dr Kayode Fayemi dates back to our time together in the pro-democracy movement in the 90s when we mounted local and international campaigns 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.
In the middle, Dr Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Bisi, supported by Governor Abiodun Oyebanji and his wife to the left and former Ekiti State governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and his wife
“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.
“The deaths of General Abacha and Chief Abiola in 1998 changed the course of events for all of us. The engagement strategy needed to be re-appraised. 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 primaries, Fayemi became 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 of the election, it was clear that Dr Fayemi and our party, Action Congress, had been cheated out of an apparent victory. We decided to challenge the election at the Election Petitions Tribunal. After a long-drawn, painful, rigorous and emotionally draining court process that lasted over three years, Dr Fayemi was declared the winner in 2010 after a court-ordered re-run that also ended up at the Election Petitions Tribunal and the Appeal Court.”
Governor Oyebanji described Fayemi as a visionary leader whose contribution to the state remained unparalleled, admitting that former Fayemi’s 60th birthday is a celebration of life, dedicated to service and excellence.
Maintaining that the people of the state are immensely proud of the achievements of the former Governor and remain deeply indebted to him for his transformative leadership, Oyebanji said, “The only thing I am going to say is to thank you for your support and for handholding me. Thank you so much for all you have done for Ekiti people, thank you so much for all that you have done for your mentees all over the world, and I thank Erelu Bisi Fayemi and Folajimi for sharing you with us. We are proud of you, Ekiti people are immensely proud of your achievements, it has been sixty years of progressive impact.”
The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev Felix Ajakaye, described the former Governor as a unique man who has been a testament to service to God and humanity.
He highlighted Fayemi’s unwavering commitment to the principles of integrity, justice, and selflessness, and noted that these virtues have guided his leadership and personal life.
CDD Director, Dr. Garuba Dauda said that Fayemi’s unwavering dedication to democracy, governance, and policy advancement continues to inspire generations of leaders across Africa.
He added that the nation would continue celebrate his legacy and enduring impact on the continent.
In an emotional laden piece, Bisi Fayemi wrote, “JK love, congratulations on joining the diamond club. May the mercy and grace of God Almighty be upon you always. May your path be illuminated with wisdom and may you always shine like the brightest of stars.”
“Happy birthday my beloved Jagunmolu. Lots of love always”, she concluded.
