President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shared a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the former Governor of Ekiti State, highlighting their collaborative efforts in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy. In a statement celebrating Fayemi’s 60th birthday, Tinubu reminisced on their shared struggles during the pro-democracy movement, describing him as a brilliant, committed, and invaluable ally in their fight against military dictatorship.
Tinubu’s tribute, which he personally signed, noted Fayemi’s distinguished career as an academic, author, administrator, and development expert. He also credited Fayemi with playing a pivotal role in the creation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013, which has since become one of the country’s leading political parties.
“My relationship with Dr. Kayode Fayemi dates back to our time together in the pro-democracy movement in the 90s,” Tinubu began, reflecting on the deep roots of their bond. He continued, “We mounted local and international campaigns against military dictatorship, particularly during the challenging era under General Sani Abacha. Kayode’s brilliance, commitment, and strategic skills were invaluable to our cause.”
The President recalled the intense political climate during Abacha’s rule, where civil rights and pro-democracy activists were frequently persecuted. “The military government routinely raided and proscribed newspapers such as Concord, Punch, Guardian, and magazines like Tempo/TheNews and TELL. There was a need to have a radio station covering the activities of the pro-democracy movement at home and abroad,” Tinubu noted.
Fayemi, along with other activists, contributed to the establishment of Radio Kudirat, a pro-democracy radio station named in honor of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, who was murdered by agents of the Abacha regime. Tinubu emphasized that this effort was part of a broader struggle for the release of Chief MKO Abiola and the de-annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, which was widely regarded as the freest in Nigeria’s history.
Tinubu further recalled how the deaths of both General Abacha and Chief MKO Abiola in 1998 changed the direction of Nigeria’s political landscape. He highlighted that after the military regime transitioned to General Abdulsalami Abubakar in 1998, many in the pro-democracy movement, including Fayemi, decided to return to Nigeria to participate in the country’s democratic processes.
Fayemi’s return in 1999 saw him establish the Centre for Democracy and Development, an organization dedicated to promoting democracy, peace-building, and security in Nigeria and across Africa. This initiative further cemented his commitment to democratic ideals and the advancement of governance in Nigeria.
In 2006, Fayemi shifted from intellectual activism to political leadership, contesting and winning the governorship of Ekiti State in a highly contested 2007 election. Although he was initially declared the loser by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Fayemi and his supporters challenged the results at the Election Petitions Tribunal. Tinubu praised Fayemi’s perseverance throughout this long, painful, and emotionally draining legal battle, which eventually led to his victory in 2010.
Tinubu noted, “Fayemi’s victory in 2010 was the culmination of a lengthy struggle for justice. After a re-run ordered by the Election Petitions Tribunal and the Appeal Court, Fayemi emerged as the rightful winner of the 2007 governorship election in Ekiti.”
Fayemi’s influence extended beyond his state governorship. He chaired the panel that conducted the presidential primaries in Lagos, which produced President Muhammadu Buhari as the APC’s candidate for the 2015 elections. Tinubu commended Fayemi for his energy and organizational skills, which were critical to the success of the APC/Buhari Campaign in securing victory in the 2015 presidential election.
The President also highlighted Fayemi’s instrumental role in managing the policy direction of the APC/Buhari Campaign Council. “The victory in the 2015 Presidential election, defeating an incumbent president and a ruling party that had vowed to rule Nigeria for 60 unbroken years, was a fitting reward for the hard work, teamwork, and capacity demonstrated by Fayemi and other campaign council members,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu’s tribute continued with a recognition of Fayemi’s tenure as Minister for Solid Minerals Development in President Buhari’s first term. In 2018, Fayemi returned to his home state of Ekiti, where he was re-elected as governor. Tinubu remarked that despite the severe economic challenges, Fayemi made significant strides in Ekiti State’s governance.
Furthermore, Tinubu praised Fayemi’s democratic approach during the 2023 APC presidential primaries, where he was a candidate alongside Tinubu. The president acknowledged that, despite the competition, Fayemi demonstrated humility and comradeship by stepping down in his favor during the party convention. “His decision showed remarkable humility and comradeship,” Tinubu said.
The tribute closed with Tinubu reflecting on Fayemi’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic process, commending him for his decades of service to the country. He expressed gratitude for their shared history and collaboration, emphasizing that Fayemi’s dedication to the country and party had left a lasting impact. “With our long years together in the trenches and years of party and national politics collaboration, Fayemi has been an able lieutenant, an invaluable ally, and a committed patriot,” the president concluded.
