‘Your Contributions To National Development Will Be Remembered’, Tinubu Hails Fayemi At 60
President Bola Tinubu has praised Dr. Kayode Fayemi for his significant contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development and governance, as the former governor of Ekiti State celebrates his 60th birthday.
In a heartfelt birthday message, personally signed by Tinubu, the president described Fayemi as a dedicated patriot whose impact on Nigeria will be remembered for generations.
Reflecting on their shared history during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle in the 1990s, Tinubu acknowledged Fayemi’s pivotal role in establishing Radio Kudirat, a crucial voice of resistance against the military dictatorship of General Sani Abacha. The radio station, named after the late pro-democracy heroine Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, played an instrumental role in rallying opposition against Abacha’s regime.
“Kayode’s brilliance, commitment, and strategic skills were invaluable to our cause,” Tinubu said, recalling the difficult period when civil liberties were severely restricted, and pro-democracy activists, including himself and Fayemi, faced considerable personal risks.
Following the return to civilian rule in 1999, Fayemi returned to Nigeria and founded the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), a think-tank dedicated to promoting democratic ideals and peace-building efforts across Africa.
Tinubu also praised Fayemi’s transition from intellectual activism to political leadership, noting his tenure as 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 remarked.
Fayemi’s two terms as governor of Ekiti State, according to the president, were marked by significant dedication despite the economic challenges facing the state and the nation.
Furthermore, Tinubu highlighted Fayemi’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s political evolution, particularly his involvement in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013. His contributions as the Director of Policy during the APC’s successful 2015 presidential campaign, which unseated the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were also acknowledged.
“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 stated.
The president also commended Fayemi’s humility and camaraderie during the 2023 APC presidential primaries, where he stepped down and endorsed Tinubu’s candidacy—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.
