TheCable

Segun Oni, a former governor of Ekiti state, says Ayodele Fayose, the incumbent, has honoured himself with the way he celebrated Adeyinka Adebayo, former military governor of the old western region.

He said this on Sunday during a visit to Fayose at the government house, in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

A statement issued on Sunday by Idowu Adelusi, Fayose’s spokesman, said Oni had gone to formally inform the governor of the death of Babalola Borisade, a former minister of education.

The statement quoted Oni to have said that there was nothing bad in celebrating Nigerian heroes.

“I am here basically to formally notify the governor of the passing into glory of the former minister and a prominent leader, our brother, father and mentor, Babalola Borisade and to commend the governor for the honour done our father, Adeyinka Adebayo”, he said.

“When we celebrate our leaders, we honour ourselves. Fayose has honoured himself, Ekiti and all of us the way and manner he celebrated General Adebayo,” he said.

While harping on the need for unity in Yoruba land, the former governor noted that politics should not tear the people apart.

“We are all Yorubas and the more reason we have to come together for the development and progress of our land. Politics should not divide us beyond the necessary,” he added.

Responding, Fayose, described Oni’s visit as “auspicious.”

“We will continue to celebrate our leaders and heroes, living or dead. Politics is momentary, but relationship and keeping the state together in the overall interest of the people is important,” he said.

“We must join hands to celebrate our leaders. It is not all about politics. Oni commending me is commending all of us. If Oni were the sitting governor, he would have also celebrated Baba Adebayo.”