End of an era: Loyalists, political appointees, aides, party faithfuls shun Fayose's farewell dinner

Food, drinks were wasted, as loyalists, political appointees, aides, party faithful and supporters of outgoing Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose at the weekend shunned a farewell dinner in his honour at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti.

The failed dinner was one of the week- long activities to mark the end of Fayose’s tenure, as Governor-Elect Dr Kayode Fayemi will be inaugurated on Tuesday at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti.

The dinner was ruined with empty seats, wasted food and drinks. Less than 20 of the expected guests attended the event slated to commence by 7pm as at 12midnight.

Only journalists, armed security men, protocol officers and a musical team contracted to perform at the ceremony were on seat as at 11pm.

Conspicuously absent at the valedictory dinner were members of the House of Assembly, commissioners, political appointees and loyal Permanent Secretaries. Their absence led to wastage of food and drinks meant for entertainment.

Before the failed dinner, the governor handed over the instruments of office to the Head of Service, Dr. Gbenga Faseluka.

A political appointee who spoke in confidence said: “How do you expect me at such a dinner? Fayose only took care of himself and family, he did not take care of us because majority of us who served under him are suffering.

“As I am talking you, he had not paid our severance allowance and his owing us many allowances. He denied us opportunities to assist people in our constituencies. That is why I and a good number of my colleagues shunned the so-called dinner.”

However, commenting on the development, one of the personal domestic staffers of the outgoing governor, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was not in any way disappointed by the attitude of absent guests.

He recalled when Fayose was still very much in power, thousands would always answer his call at the slightest notice, such that the venue of any event organized by him was always overcrowded.

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When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, when the road you're trudging seems all uphill, when the funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile but you have to sigh, when care is pressing you down a bit - rest if you must, but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns. As everyone of us sometimes learns. And many a fellow turns about when he might have won had he stuck it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow - you may succeed with another blow. Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man; Often the struggler has given up when he might have captured the victor's cup; and he learned too late when the night came down, how close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out - the silver tint of the clouds of doubt, and when you never can tell how close you are, it may be near when it seems afar; so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - it's when things seem...

Paul Okah

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