How Governor Mimiko Ambushed Me In Akure, By Femi Fani-Kayode

I spent my birthday at the swearing-in of my friend and brother, Governor Ayo Fayose, as Governor of Ekiti state in Ado Ekiti on October 16. It was a grand occasion and I was very happy for him and the people of Ekiti state.

I had arrived in Ado Ekiti the night before and on arrival, I had a lovely dinner with Fayose, Akin Oshuntokun, Governor Gbenga Daniel and the Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro (who had resigned from the cabinet earlier that day in order to pursue his ambition to run for the governorship of Lagos state next year) at the Spotless Hotel.

The governor-elect shared his powerful testimony with us and as we made merry, I couldn’t help thinking to myself that God is really raising some very powerful men and women of faith with great testimonies, a prophetic calling and a powerful anointing in the murky sea of Nigerian politics.

The following day, Ayo was sworn in as Governor of Ekiti state.  After the ceremony I left Ado Ekiti and went next door to Akure, Ondo state, to spend a couple of days with my dearest friend and brother, Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

To my sheer delight, the Governor threw a wonderful surprise dinner party for me in Akure on the night of Friday, October 17, and I was really touched. This was made all the more  a pleasure because I had no idea that he had planned it.

He drove down to the hotel to pick me up at 9.00p.m. for the monthly ”Praise and Worship” all night prayer service in Akure and as we stepped out of my hotel room at the Sunview Hotel, he asked me to pop into the hotel’s conference room with him just for a minute. I told him that I would wait for him in the car but he insisted that we go together.

Since he was adamant, I agreed and went with him. As we entered the restaurant I was amazed by what I saw. The place was packed with senior officials of his government, old friends and a number of highly respected individuals and party leaders.

It was a wonderful gathering of people who had all seen fit to attend a surprise birthday dinner party which was thrown just for me. Honestly I was deeply humbled and I felt highly honoured. This was a real ambush but it was the sweetest type of ambush that anyone could possibly imagine.

Our spirits were high, the food was excellent, the speeches were moving, the birthday cake was beautiful and the prayers and kind words of encouragement and support from the governor and so many others moved me deeply.

Such good friends are rare and hard to find and I consider myself truly blessed to have them. They really made my day. I will never forget this wonderful gesture. After the dinner, we all proceeded to the all-night prayer and worship service, which took place at the Ondo state Cultural Centre and which lasted till 4.00 a.m.

It was simply awesome and the various youth choirs that led us in praise and worship throughout the night were mind-blowing. May God bless Governor Mimiko, his entire family and the great people of Ondo state for honouring me in this way and for making this such a memorable birthday for me. I will never forget it.