Politics
Fayemi Signs N100.7bn 2022 Budget Into Law
Governor Kayode Fayemi on Friday signed the Ekiti State 2022 Appropriation Bill of N100.7 billion into law, promising to consolidate on the gains of the last three years of his administration
While signing bill tagged: “Budget of Legacy and Consolidation” in Ado-Ekiti, Fayemi said it had a percentage ratio of 60:40 recurrent to capital expenditure.
He said it was designed to achieve the goals of handing over an enduring legacy to the incoming administration.
“It has been designed to ensure we complete most, if not all, of our capital projects, while also ensuring the day-to-day operations of government continue to run smoothly.
“The budget will ensure we complete the projects, including the Ekiti Passenger-Cargo Airport, the Ado-Iworoko section of the Ado-Ifaki Road, renovation of township roads, and finally commence our construction of farms roads across the state.
“It will also ensure we continue to construct and renovate schools, while also providing learning materials for students.
“Also, it will ensure we complete the construction and equipping of our Intensive Care Unit at EKSUTH, as well as various ongoing projects in many of our secondary and primary care hospitals.
“We will continue to focus on the environment, by completing our erosion and watershed management project.
He added that “It will also help in consolidating on our gains in agriculture by investing in more Public-Private Partnerships, to deepen commercial agriculture across the State”.
The governor said his administration would also leverage the budget to lay a solid foundation for long terms transformative projects like the Ekiti Knowledge Zone and the Special Agriculture Processing Zone.
According to him, these two projects will eventually deliver large scale opportunities to thousands of young people.
He said it would give them an opportunity to develop exciting careers without having to migrate from Ekiti.
Fayemi said his administration considered it as a mark of responsibility to build on work done by previous governments and also bequeath a legacy for those coming afterwards.
“This budget has been prepared not just to consolidate on the work we have done in the last three years, but with one eye on the future, to ensure our successor government has a clear blueprint of development to follow, with the minimal burden of unfinished projects.
“We are not just keen to finish well, we are even more focused on providing a launchpad for a worthy successor government to lift Ekiti into a period of sustained prosperity,” he said.
The governor said the administration had been able to restore the Ekiti values, and set the state on the path of sustainable growth.
He said the budgets in the last three years had been tailored and aligned with the government’s five-point agenda.
Fayemi said that the administration had utilised the budgets as instruments to deliver on development objectives.
“Budgets, as you know, are important instruments in delivering on the priorities of the government.
“I am pleased to report today that our five main road projects have all been delivered and inaugurated, with the most recent inauguration of the Ado-Iyin Road, earlier in the week.
“These roads reduce the travel time within the state and improve the productivity of our people.
“I am sure over time, we will see the benefits of improving our infrastructure stock with an increase in commercial activities within Ekiti.
“We have also delivered on our plans to renovate and equip our schools and hospitals in fulfilment of our promise to prioritise human capital development.
“Also, even with the challenging fiscal environment, we continue to fulfil our promises to our workers, and only recently defrayed some of the outstanding obligations owed by our predecessors in office.
“This and the constant investment in our people by completing a number of secretariat blocks and office buildings, show our dedication to our engine room of governance, the civil service,” he said.
The Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum expressed his profound gratitude to members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, especially the Speaker, Funminiyi Afuye, for passing the 2022 Appropriation Bill in record time.
“I appreciate the commitment of the members of the Fiscal Coordinating Agencies in driving our annual budget preparation and execution.
“In particular, I commend the Honourable Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning and his team in the Ministry for their dedication, hard work and commitment in the preparation of the 2022 draft estimates,” he said.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.