Women Group Cautions Ijele, Others Against Inciting Statements, Passes Vote Of Confidence On Ayoade’s Loyalty »

Forum for Women In Politics, Leadership and Governance (FWPLG) in Lokoja have cautioned Mr. I. D. Ijele, former Director of New Media, Social Democratic Party’s gubernatorial campaign council over what they described as an unhealthy article targeted at inciting the publics again the person of Dr. Folashade Arike Ayoade.

According to the group’s Coordinator, Khadijat Suleiman in a press statement signed on Sunday she said the article titled “Unveiling The Mask: The Controversial Role Of Dr. Folashade Arike Ayoade Exposed” written by Mr. Ijele is misleading, reckless and a flagrant disregard for truth.

She said “It would have been needless giving any attention to this article but for the purpose of putting the records straight and for the avoidance of misleading innocent readers on the internet as well as for the sake of public interest, bearing in mind that the personality the article intends to incite against the public, is a highly respected public servant with sterling records of excellence, it has become imperative for our forum to respond accordingly to the hidden face(s) and hand(s) behind such a misleading article against one of our own”.

“Excellence begets more responsibility and this is no doubt, one of the reasons why Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade, Ph.D, enjoyed the honour of serving as a two tenure Secretary to Kogi State Government under the leadership and administration of His Excellency, Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Bello, the forth Executive Governor of Kogi State” the Coordinator added.

She added that Dr. Ayoade’s loyalty to both the Leader of the State and the People of Kogi State coupled with her diligence to duty, commitment to service delivery and professionalism in public administration, has further earned her the opportunity again, to serve as the incumbent Secretary to Kogi State Government under the leadership and Administration of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the fifth Executive Governor of Kogi State. This has glaringly left her announced as the longest serving Secretary to Kogi State Government (SSG) as well as the most senior SSG in Nigeria.

Suleiman asserted that the main intent of Mr. Ijele and all those he is obviously speaking on their behalf, are worried at the state of high commitment and loyalty that Mrs Folashade gives to her principal and the people of Kogi State too. “The disappointment here is that “Mrs Folashade Ayoade will not for any reason lower the percentage of her loyalty to her principal and the people of Kogi State to ninety nine percent (99%). The loyalty will maintain its status quo of hundred percent (100%) and counting”.

Quoting a section of Mr Ijele’s article; “Dr. Folashade Arike Ayoade, The Secretary to the State Government of Kogi State (SSG) had been at the forefront of needless spendings for a State that cannot provide the least social services to the people. All our public secondary schools and primary schools are nothing to write about. The same person overseeing the payment of such money from the state treasury for Bello’s children school fees paid till 2035. “ she alluded that such statement is not just misleading but also inciting and in clear terms, the group vehemently condemn this in its entirety.

The group asked Mr. Ijele to tender written apology or may have to contend with us in a legal suit for incitement and false accusations on the personality of our member who is held in a high esteem.

“Our Forum is bothered to really ask whether Mr. I.D Ijele resides in Kogi State or cares to travel round the State to see in person the state -of-the-art infrastructural development the government has erected across the nine federal constituencies in the State. The rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools across the 239 wards in Kogi State. The establishment of two State universities; Kogi State University, Kabba, and Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara. The GYB model science schools etc. The building and equipping of modern day hospitals across the State”.

“It is not wrong for the people to ask for more from the government but acting blind to the efforts of the government in ensuring that social amenities are made available at all cost for the people, should be condemned. In this case, it is not wrong to say that Mr Ijele is deliberate in his blindness”.

She said the forum is out to uphold the commendable virtues of our members in public offices and affairs, leadership and, in governance hence won’t tolerate anything short of this to any of our members.

“From part of the statement of Mr. Ijele which reads; “She held the SSG position for 8 years under Bello, and now again Under the Kakistocracy of ODODO’S government.”, it is evident enough that the writer alongside his cohorts are envious of the commendation records of Mrs Ayoade to have served as SSG for the last 8 years and still counting”.

“Well, if Mr. Ijele has ever been privilege to come across this statement “Loyalty is a woman”, then he should be fully abreast with the fact that Mrs Ayoade’s loyalty to her principal and the people of Kogi State is topnotch and best rated as 100%”.

The forum chairman expressed that they were pleased to identify with Mrs Ayoade as one its biggest pride in Kogi State and beyond while they passed their votes of confidence on her exceptional administrative prowess.