Pastors Have Now Turned To Politicians - Fayose

“Despite all the challenges, our boat did not capsize. We are also in turbulent time financially as a state and a nation. But no matter how great the odds are, Ekiti will always have a leader. It is the duty of the leader to see that Ekiti comes first above all other considerations.
“Such a leader will be expected to govern the people with the fear of God otherwise he will be referred to as a sectional leader.

“Such a leader must‎ also shun tribalism, religious bigotry ethnic and political considerations, and above all consider politics as a tool and governance as service to the people. He must be seen to be just and equitable.
“For me to lead Ekiti in that capacity is my priority. I see a battle against an Ekiti man as a battle against all of us. The more reason why I advised Senators from Ekiti not to oppose the approval  of former Governor John Kayode Fayemi when being screened by the Senate‎ as a minister.
“The swearing-in of one of you‎ as a judge was my first public assignment after inauguration in demonstration of my statesmanship despite the embedded issue, and equally the appointment of the current solicitor general. The two gentlemen are both from the Bar and the Bench.
“I resisted entreaties from various quarters which wanted me to remove the vice chancellor of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) and the provost of the College of Education, Ikere, simply because they were appointed by the immediate past administration.‎
“Whereas, the likes of former vice chancellors, Professor Dipo Kolawole, Professor Bamidele and other senior officers of EKSU appointed by the PDP-led government were sacked unjustly and unceremoniously by the same immediate past administration.‎ I feel that trend must not continue. These institutions are expected to outlive us as leaders.
“Also, I have resisted all political pressures aim at muzzling anybody even the judiciary. It is our collective interest to shun vengeance because vengeance belongs to God.
“You will agree with me that the most potent power is one that was never exercised wrongly or for vendetta even though nothing stops you from exercising it,” he said.
Continuing, the governor said: “I make bold to say that the problem in Nigeria today is corruption.
“The judiciary has the power of life and death‎ but this sensitive arm of government has been compromised and most judgements in Nigeria today are monetised. If the battle against corruption is to be won in the larger society, it must firstly be won in the Bar and the Bench.
“Due to the cancer of financial inducement and political leaning of our judges, it is only in our country that a political armed robber will orchestrate the trial of an innocent man or an ordinary pick pocket before a consenting judge.
“When there are glaring facts on the table of anti-corruption agencies, they will pretend not to see or look the other way‎ especially if the culprit is a member of the ruling political party and that is the more reason why some judges are timid to give judgement against the people in government.
“Take for instance, after so many evidence before the EFCC that the bank account of the Yobe Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) was credited with money to influence the last governorship election, no action was taken because the state is controlled by the APC-led government.
“It is only in this country that when banks rip-off institutions or individuals, they will negotiate with the judiciary.
“It is only in Nigeria that judges will say they cannot deliver a judgement due to the prevailing political circumstances citing  the mood of the country as not suitable for such judgement even if the accused is seen to be innocent.
“The corruption in the judiciary is so endemic that judges lobby to be appointed to serve in election petition tribunals in order to make money and as well influence judgement in favour of their political friends.
“It gets more worrisome when facts have revealed that some of the judgements were written by lawyers for some compromised judges. Some cases were and are still being assigned to judges by their god fathers in the judiciary purposely to do hatchet jobs against the innocent.
“Other instances are when judges have to recommend lawyers to clients to perfect the hatchet jobs. A lot of human rights activist lawyers have been working in concert with some judges to destroy the lives of innocent Nigerians for pecuniary benefits and cheap popularity.
“If Nigeria is to move forward and for us to have a just society, the judiciary has ‎a major role to play and must be seen to be doing so.
“This address does not imply that the judiciary is totally devoid of credible and incorruptible judges who are commendable.”
He reminded the legal professionals of the book of Hebrews Chapter 9 Verse 27, which says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgement.
“In this my admonition, whosoever is caught in the web of this truth should rather summon up courage to change instead of calling for the head of Ayo Fayose.
“It must be equally noted that conscience is an open wound, only the truth will heal it.
“This address will be incomplete without mentioning the church where most pastors have descended to the arena playing to the gallery with their political sermons. No longer can their sermons win any soul again.
“I wish to refer them to the book of  Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 6 Verse 2, which says: “Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them and said it is not reasoned that we should leave the word of God and serve tables,” he concluded.