President Bola Tinubu has lauded Dr. Kayode Fayemi for his significant contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development and governance, as the former governor of Ekiti State turns 60.
In a heartfelt birthday tribute personally signed by Tinubu, he described Fayemi as a dedicated patriot whose impact on the nation will be remembered for generations.
Reflecting on their shared history during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle of the 1990s, Tinubu credited Fayemi’s brilliance and strategic role in the establishment of Radio Kudirat, a crucial voice against military dictatorship.
The radio station, named after the late pro-democracy heroine, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, was instrumental in rallying opposition against General Sani Abacha’s regime.
“Kayode’s brilliance, commitment, and strategic skills were invaluable to our cause,” Tinubu said, recalling the turbulent era when civil liberties were severely curtailed, and activists, including himself and Fayemi, faced immense personal risks.
After the restoration of civilian rule in 1999, Fayemi returned to Nigeria and established the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), a think-tank that has been central to promoting democratic ideals and peace-building efforts across Africa.
Tinubu commended Fayemi’s transition from intellectual activism to political leadership, first as a governor and later as a federal minister.
“His resilience and commitment were evident when he contested and won the Ekiti State governorship after a long and grueling legal battle that lasted over three years,” Tinubu noted.
Fayemi’s two-term tenure as governor of Ekiti State, according to the president, was marked by dedication despite the economic challenges confronting the state and the nation.
Tinubu also highlighted Fayemi’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s political evolution, particularly in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013 and his contribution as the Director of Policy during the successful 2015 presidential campaign that unseated the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Fayemi’s efforts as part of the APC leadership and campaign team helped achieve the first electoral defeat of an incumbent president in Nigeria’s history,” Tinubu said.
The president acknowledged Fayemi’s humility and comradeship during the 2023 APC presidential primaries, when he stepped down and endorsed Tinubu’s candidacy, a move Tinubu described as an act of loyalty and selflessness.
As Fayemi marks this milestone, President Tinubu expressed optimism about his future contributions, describing him as an “academic, author, administrator, and development expert whose service to the nation is far from over.”
“His legacy will endure. On behalf of the nation and with a grateful heart, I wish him continued health, strength, and fulfillment,” Tinubu concluded.
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