The Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, is said to have called on the lawmakers representing the state in the Nigerian Senate to support the former governor of the state, Kayode Fayemi, in the ministerial nomination screening.

Reports say that Fayose made this call on Wednesday, October 7, when student leaders of Ekiti origin paid him a courtesy visit at the government house.

Fayemi who is the immediate past governor of Ekiti state is one of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees announced at the Senate on Tuesday, October 6.

The current governor of the state, Fayose, had been at loggerheads with Fayemi and had openly criticised his predecessor on several occasions. The former governor lost his seat to Fayose following his bid for second a tenure governorship.

Former Ekiti State Governor and Ministrial nominee Kayode Fayemi

Fayose urged them to ensure the former governor gets a hitch-free ride on the floor of the Senate when the  ministerial screening exercise comes up.

In a statement in Ado-Ekiti  the governor gave the advice while meeting with student leaders from the state under the aegis of Federation of Ekiti Student Union, FEESU, in his office.

According to the governor, the Ekiti project belongs to all and  everything must be done to support it. Ekiti is my priority. I call on all the House of Representatives members and senators that went to Abuja from here, some people petitioned the National Assembly stating how Fayemi sunk Ekiti into heavy debts, I have told the members not to do that.

“It is God that judges people, not us. You must support him there. They should not go to the Senate and oppose Kayode Fayemi, no, they must never do that. An Ekiti man is an Ekiti man. I appeal to everybody, you must support him.”

He charged the students to shun acts that could mar their future, saying he would never ask them to engage in party politics or thuggery.

He urged them to be mindful of the current financial situation of the state while making their demands, promising to always treat young people with utmost respect and love.