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Anxiety in Ekiti as Supreme Court rules on suit against Fayose’s re-election

By Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head, South West Bureau, Ado Ekiti)
14 April 2015   |   10:58 am
There was palpable anxiety in Ado-Ekiti yesterday as news filtered into town that the Supreme Court will today deliver judgment in the disputed June 21, 2014 Ekiti State governorship election
FAYOSE-OK

Governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose

There was palpable anxiety in Ado-Ekiti yesterday as news filtered into town that the Supreme Court will today deliver judgment in the disputed June 21, 2014 Ekiti State governorship election.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is challenging the victory of Fayose at the election which the tribunal and Appeal Court upheld. Not satisfied with the verdicts of the tribunal and the Appeal Court, APC approached the apex court, insisting that the election was fraught with irregularities. Fayose, in a state-wide broadcast urged Ekiti residents to remain calm and go about their lawful duties.

The governor who thanked the people for voting overwhelmingly for all his party candidates in the House of Assembly elections said their action had further proved that he is enjoying a genuine mandate and not a stolen one as being alleged.

He said he was optimistic that God will vindicate him at the end of the day, and that he would triumph over whatever plans mounted to truncate his tenure by individuals or groups of people.

Meanwhile, the pro-Fayose Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Dele Olugbemi, has raised the alarm over what he described as “Plan B” of the 19 APC lawmakers against the governor to engage in activities that would ultimately lead to declaration of state of emergency in Ekiti, should they fail in their current impeachment bid.

He also accused some elements in Lagos and Osun states of luring him into joining the ranks of those working for Fayose’s impeachment, using all means possible.

Though, he did not mention names of those involved, he disclosed that he had accepted to play along by holding nocturnal meetings with them in Lagos.

“They want me to turn my back against Fayose by thinking I would resign my current status as Speaker so that their man, Dr. Adewale Omirin, could automatically step in as acting-governor immediately the governor is removed, and I will retain my position as Speaker.

“But I, along with my other patriotic colleagues on the side of truth and justice, have vowed that we will rather sail or sink with Fayose, whose interest we are ready to defend with the last drop of our blood,” he said. Olugbemi warned that both Omirin and other pro-impeachment lawmakers, including their sponsors would be in trouble should they go ahead with their impeachment plan or any other anti-democratic move.

The factional Speaker, insisted that Omirin is no longer Speaker of the Assembly, having been impeached.

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