TheCable

Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti state, has revealed that the N2.5 billion residence he built during his tenure is the cheapest government house in the country.

He said he had to build a new government house for the state because the one he met was a “two-bedroom apartment”.

Fayemi was responding to a question from Olusola Adeyeye, chief whip of the senate, who said during the ministerial screening that the nominee was alleged to have built a princely mansion for himself at the expense of projects that could have benefited the people.

He also raised questions on the allegation that Fayemi left a huge debt burden on Ekiti state while squan‎dering the state’s resources.

“I met a debt burden of N30 billion. But I found ways to meet the needs of Ekiti people. I borrowed, but it is not in the range of what has been bandied about,” Fayemi explained in his answer.

“I did not borrow to pay salaries. I borrowed to fund capital projects. I built a government house for Ekiti because I met a two-bedroom. apartment.

“There was nothing I put in Ekiti that I walked away with. The government house cost only N2.5 billion, which is the least in the country.”

Fayemi fielded other questions from senators and later took a bow after the upper chamber endorsed his nomination.

After handing over, the ex-governor came under persistent criticism from Ayodele Fayose, his successor, that he left the state in the throes of debt and bought beds worth N50 million for himself and his wife.