The Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose has dared President Muhammadu Buhari to arrest him, insisting the president has not shed his garb of dictatorship.Mr. Fayose in the interview, also drew inspiration from the Holy Bible as he quoted from Hebrew 13: 6, saying “it is very clear that because we have God, we fear not what men will do to us”.
The governor, who is one of the most vocal critics of President Buhari and his administration, said everybody can’t belong to the same political party, and that he was entitled to his view.
“You can’t silence everyone”, he maintained.
In the interview, Mr. Fayose questioned the capacity of Mr. Buhari to solve Nigeria’s economic crisis, saying the president was “still in an analogue stage”.
“I am saying it expressly, (that) the president does not understand the economy”, said the Ekiti governor.
“If you understand the economy you can do everything simultaneously without rocking the boat.
“You go out telling the whole world that your country is corrupt, you destroy all your people, and you expect them (foreigners) to do business with your people?
“That is not how to operate”, said Mr. Fayose.
On the anti-corruption war, the Ekiti governor insisted that it was selective and political.
According to him, “When (former Nigerian president) Obasanjo left prison, did he declare his assets?
“The library Obasanjo has today, where did the money come from? His house in Abeokuta, where did the money come from?
“Even Buhari himself declared cattle and mud houses. He said he doesn’t have money. From where did the (presidential) campaign money come from?”
Mr. Fayose said Nigerian leaders weren’t committed to the idea of diversifying the country’s economy.
“Each of them looks forward to another election rather than look forward to the future of the country”, he said.
The governor also identified lack of electricity power and other infrastructure, including lack of capital, as the major factors hindering economic diversification in Nigeria.
“If I want to diversify, for instance, the money I got for last month was N1.3 billion. And my wage bill is N2.6 billion, aside security, electricity, water and basic essential services to the people.
“Do I use this money for diversification at the expense of the people?
“No I can’t!
“So, it is an uphill task. It is not impossible, but it an uphill task.
“My first counsel to the federal government is that they should stop the noise about corruption, and face this economy.
“They should be sincere more about the economy than playing to the gallery”, Governor Fayose said.
He also advised the federal government to make agriculture attractive to farmers all over the country.