By Femi Makinde
The Director General of Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, has criticised Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State for allegedly denying the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate, Ayo Fayose the right to use the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium for his campaign.
Anisulowo, who spoke at a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, said that the party had been forced to postpone the commencement of Fayose’s campaign planned for April 8 which President Goodluck Jonathan was billed to attend.
He said the party had written to Jonathan to inform him that the date had been changed because there was no alternative venue to be used for the event.
He stated that the party might be compelled to use a federal highway in the state if the state government should deny Fayose access to the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, which he said, was built with tax payers money.
He said the party had on March 28, 2014 written a letter to the state government to allow the party to use the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium to host the President.
He, however, said that the Sports Council denied them the use of the facility in a letter dated April 2 and signed by one P.O.Dada of the Sports Council.
Anisulowo said, “The Ekiti State Stadium belongs to the Ekiti people. The public facility is being funded by the people’s money. It is therefore surprising that the people of Ekiti, who are members of the opposition party, are being denied the use of public facility.
“We are using this medium to draw the attention of Ekiti people and the whole world to the reckless and naked use of power by the ruling government under Governor Fayemi.”
But the Commissioner for Information in the state, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, when contacted said that Fayemi was not in charge of the running of the stadium and would not deny anybody the legitimate use of public facility.
He said, “Allowing Ayo Fayose to campaign at the stadium will not stop him from losing the election, so Governor Fayemi will not do such thing.
“Let them find out from the Sports Council why they were turned down. Maybe somebody had booked earlier for the place. We booked for the place and paid when we used it.”
