Buhari to Fayemi, I won’t be in hurry to replace you

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said he was reluctant to release the outgoing Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi who is the governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the July 14 election.

The President who said he will not be in a hurry to shop for a substantive replacement of the minister, charged him to get back Ekiti state for the APC.

Assuring that he will not be in a hurry for a substantive replacement, he said, “So, we certainly wish you the best of luck but it will take me sometimes to get a substantive minister and more so with the 2019 prospects that I have already indicated.

Speaking at a valedictory session in honour of Dr. Fayemi who resigned from the cabinet last week to face his election, President Buhari said he had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to embarked on voters education on the use of electronic devices.

“I hope you will get the Ekiti back for the party. The only time I saw the INEC chair was to insist that voters Education should be emphasized, so that ordinary Nigerians will believe that Nigeria is beginning to respect them and that their PVC is their status.

“And then coupled with the card readers, God willing, we are here with the help of technology because in previous elections and I am in the position to say so having lost three times and got to Supreme Court, I know if not for technology, we will be doing the same thing.

“A lot of constituencies were bought, voters were allocated and results were announced and people were told to go to court if they don’t agree with it.

“Now, for someone who is looking for the next meal, how is he going to get the money to give to SAN (Senior Advocate of Nigeria), to demand for justice for his marginalization.

So, we thank technology because with the introduction of PVC and the card readers, votes counted. Please go and emphasize this to your constituencies.

“Let Nigerians be respected that they can vote anybody across any party and at any constituency. I think that will give them the pride to voluntarily go and vote. It is not easy to go to Supreme Court three times, but I went through it, I wonder how many people will be proud to go through it in this country.”

In his remarks, Fayemi thanked the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria and for not rejecting his plan to return “to rescue Ekiti”, and declared that he had no apologies for being labelled a “Buhari boy” by some politicians and the media.

He also thanked other cabinet members for their cooperation and kind, emotional words.

He described himself as an accidental miner as he was a novice in the sector when he was appointed over three years ago, but has acquired so much experience along the line and improved the sector in Nigeria that he could qualify for a certificate in geology.