Drama in Ekiti as n-Power beneficiaries hold rallies for Buhari, Fayose

THERE was drama in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Saturday, as beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s N-Power scheme, in the state, simultaneously held rallies for President Muhammadu Buhari. The rally for Fayose was used to proclaim the Deputy Governor of the state, Professor Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola, as their choice in the coming election.

The beneficiaries had followed party lines in their rallies and had called for support for their preferred individuals.

While a section of the rallying N-Power beneficiaries had called for support for Professor Olusola, who is Governor Ayodele Fayose’s choice as his successor and as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, another section of the group called for support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and for President Muhammadu Buhari.

Governor Fayose had recently invited all the beneficiaries of n-Power in Ekiti State and had promised many of them permanent jobs.

By 8:30 a:m on Saturday, about 3,000 beneficiaries had gathered at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital for the march, carring various placards to drive home their messages.

While some displayed placards advertising President Buhari and expressing appreciation for the n-Power scheme, others carried placards campaigning for Fayose and Professor Olusola’s governorship ambition.

Security agents had ensured there was no clash of the two parties as each team campaigned for their respective benefactors.

The beneficiaries marched from the Teaching Hospital to the AB Event Centre in Mojere area of Adebayo, where accreditation exercise for the state’s n-Power beneficiaries took place.

Another drama occurred at the accreditation centre when officials of n-Power wanted to prevent those loyal to Governor Fayose from entering the venue.

They were, however, overwhelmed by the huge crowd in support of Fayose, who eventually gained entry to the hall, while security personnel on hand were on top of their game.

Explaining why the beneficiaries loyal to Fayose joined in the rally, Ajibade Segun, a Fayose and Olusola loyalist, said: “A few months ago, Governor Fayose invited us to the government house and promised those of us who are n-Power beneficiaries in Ekiti permanent employment from the state government.”

“This is why we are happy and we are now coming out to campaign for the Deputy governor Olusola Kolapo. We are are here supporting the continuity agenda of his Excellency Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose and supporting Olusola Eleka for governor in July 14.

“To the president we are saying that we don’t want just a temporary relief in the name of N-Power from massive unemployment in Nigeria, we want permanent employment. We also want the number of beneficiaries of the N-Power in Ekiti to be more than what we have presently. But most importantly, we want a permanent job like the governor has promised to give a good number of us, “ he said.

Speaking for President Buhari on behalf of his colleagues loyal to the president, another beneficiary, Adeosun Tayo Peter, said: “I want the people of Nigeria to know that we are not campaigning for Fayose or Eleka. It is Buhari that we know because he is the one who is feeding us. We have the banners bearing the image of Buhari and we are thanking him for this gesture.

“ N30,000 for each of the beneficiaries every month is not a small money. In twelve months , we know what that money amounts to. The beneficiaries of N-power in Ekiti in  this first tranche are 3,400, and 8,337 will benefit in the second tranche, those of us here now are more than 3,000 that have come for accreditation today.

“Buhari is our benefactor. We are standing for Buhari. We are thanking Buhari for what he has done and we also want him to make the job permanent.”