The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said he would not be distracted by the “childish and ridiculous allegations of fraud leveled against his administration in Ekiti State by the State House of Assembly.”

Dr Fayemi who reacted to the petition submitted by the state assembly to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging N40billion fraud under his watch as governor of the state, said the lawmakers’ claims were not only baseless, but a calculated attempt to distract him.

The Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, said in a statement on Thursday that the Ekiti Assembly’s petition to EFCC was nothing but a rehash of old tales told by little minds.

He added that since the allegations lacked substance, it was bound to fail like the previous ones by the state government and its agents.

The statement by Oyebode reads: “The petition by the Assembly is nothing but another calculated attempt to distract and tarnish the hard earned reputation of the honourable minister with spurious allegations.

“The Ekiti Assembly and indeed the Ayodele Fayose –led administration, had spent the last two years rehearsing and rehashing all manners of ridiculous allegations in their desperate effort to taint Dr Fayemi’s reputation. As at last count they have come up with six different attempts, with varying degrees of falsehood.

“Dr Fayemi’s four years meritorious service in Ekiti remains an open book. The administration’s financial dealings and executed projects were well documented and copies of the documents are with the Assembly. We enjoin them to read the necessary portions and get the right answers to their puerile posers.

“But if their intention is to distract the Minister and paint him in corrupt garb, then they have failed, as Dr Fayemi cannot be distracted by the government’s cheap blackmail.

“At this stage of our democracy, it is sad that a whole House of Assembly would be involved in what is known as Pull Him Down Syndrome. But the good news is that Ekiti people know the difference between those who serve them well and mere pretenders.

“Dr Fayemi remains focused on his current assignment of leading the economic diversification plan of the Federal Government through the mining sector and no ill-conceived machination can distract him.

“Finally the Fayose-led government is advised to concentrate on the provision of amenities in the state and desist from its maniacal penchant for falsehood and cheap blackmail.”