By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti
The Ekiti State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has slammed Governor Kayode Fayemi over alleged failure to pay the West African Examinations Council (WAEC),fees of students who sat for the recently released WASC results, holding him responsible for the delay in the release of results of public schools in the state.
Reacting to the non payment of WAEC fees by the Governor on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Raphael Adeyanju wondered why a government that volunteered to sponsor students for WAEC, would not accord the payment of fees a priority.
The PDP spokesperson said the failure of the governor to pay up the money a week after the results have been released by the examination body, has thrown the parents and the students into unprecedented tension and psychological trauma.
The Head of Nigeria Office of WAEC, Patrick Areghan had while announcing the results last week, said that 10 debtor states including Ekiti, should not expect the release of the results of the candidates they sponsored for the examination unless they demonstrate serious commitments.
He had while announcing the results warned that States sponsoring candidates for the examination must show commitment, willingness, readiness and ability to pay or redeem their debts.
Adeyanju said that from the foregoing, it could be reasonably concluded that the Fayemi administration is paying lip service to the development of education.
The PDP lamented that a state once noted for schorlarship leading to it being christened ‘fountain of knowledge’, had been turned to fountain of ignorance by the APC government.
Adeyanju expressed surprise that while states like Borno which is among the indebted states promptly pay up it’s debts to get the results of her students released, Ekiti government appear to be indifferent to the plight of the students.
“Our attention has been drawn to the story of the inability of governor Kayode Fayemi to pay fees being owed WAEC, leading to the witholding of the results of students who sat for the exam from Ekiti State
“This unprecedented failure of the Fayemi led APC government has not only created unwarranted anxiety, but has caused untold tension and psychological trauma to the students, as well as, their parents.
“Without a shadow of doubt, it is clear for the blind to see that this government is merely paying lip service to the development of education. Our dear state that was once prided as fountain of knowledge is fast becoming fountain of illiteracy under the APC government.”
The PDP therefore urged well meaning Ekiti State elites including Chief Afe Babalola to quickly intervene and call the Governor to order before his government destroy education completely in the state.
Responding,the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, described the allegation as unfounded,saying the delay was more of administrative reason than indebtedness.
Dipe said, “A right thinking person should be able investigate deeply to know the reason for the delay. If any governor will be indebted to WAEC, it is not likely to be Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
“You could all attest to the fact that he has been devoted to the development of education sector. So,the PDP should not politicise the issue of education, it is all about our future”.
