Mr. Isaac Fayose, businessman and brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, recently spoke to Newsmen on a range of national issues, including security challenges, state police, the 2027 elections, and foreign influence on Nigeria.
On U.S. involvement in Nigeria, Fayose criticized former President Donald Trump’s inconsistent stance. He suggested that Nigeria’s image improved after the government reportedly spent $9 million on lobbying efforts, noting, “Last month, Trump called Nigeria a disgraced nation, but after the lobby, he praised the First Lady. Americans like money too.” He added that foreign judgments, including those of the IMF, often contradict themselves, reflecting bias influenced by financial interests.
Fayose expressed concern over the increasing killings across Nigeria, especially in Kwara State. He argued that excessive spending on ransoms could have been better allocated to defense. Advocating for state police, he said, “If the President empowers states with their own police, each state can curb insecurity. Right now, the centralized police are overstretched, and citizens suffer.” He dismissed fears of governors abusing state police powers during elections, noting that the federal government can intervene when necessary.
Regarding the 2027 elections, Fayose criticized the Senate’s reported rejection of real-time electronic transmission of results, arguing that it could facilitate electoral manipulation. “If they don’t transmit the results, they will just write anything and say ‘go to court,’” he said, stressing the need for transparency to protect candidates like Peter Obi. He confirmed plans for a protest but said organizers are awaiting clarification from the Senate.
Fayose also clarified his political stance, stating he is not a member of any party. “I only advocate for good governance. In some states I may support APC, in others PDP, or Labour Party,” he said. On the political crisis in Rivers State, he described it as man-made, pointing out that former Governor Wike, now a minister, has already been compensated, leaving ordinary citizens to bear the brunt of political struggles.
In conclusion, Fayose urged leaders to prioritize security and governance over political expediency. He criticized systemic failures and called for stronger state-level intervention to protect citizens, ensure election transparency, and uphold accountability in government.
