Monarchs urge truce in Ekiti crisis

• APC elders chide security agencies for denying lawmakers access
• Assembly writes CJ, seeks panel to investigate Fayose

THE Ekiti State traditional rulers yesterday expressed concerns about the tension generated by the plot by APC lawmakers to remove Governor Ayodele Fayose, urging all gladiators to resolve their differences amicably.

A communique read by the Council’s Chairman and the Onitaji of Itaji-Ekiti, Oba Adamo Babalola, noted that the face-off between the Executive and Legislative arm had been on since Fayose was sworn in on October 16, 2014.

Oba Babalola said efforts made by the Council to broker truce between the feuding the governor and the APC lawmakers had consistently been stalled by claims by the two sides that the case challenging the removal of Omirin from office is pending in court and that it will be subjudice to discuss it.

In another development, the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Forum yesterday criticised security agencies for not allowing APC lawmakers to enter the capital city and continue with their impeachment plan against Governor Fayose.

The elders, who said Fayose had breached the Constitution, desecrated the esteemed office he occupies and should be ready to face the consequences of his action, also congratulated the President-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on his victory.

The Publicity Secretary of the Forum, Dr. Bayo Orire, who made the position of the group known, also warned the military and the police against being used to hinder the lawmakers from carrying out their constitutional functions.

Meanwhile, Ekiti State House of Assembly has written to the State Chief Judge‎, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, asking him to set up a panel to investigate allegations raised in the impeachment notice to Governor Fayose.

In a press statement issued yesterday by the Special Adviser to the factional Speaker, Mr. Wole Olujobi, the lawmakers said they relied on Section 101 of the 1999 Constitution as amended which empowers the Assembly to regulate their sittings, including sitting in a public building within the state capital if conditions exist in the hallowed chamber that endanger members’ lives.

Majority Leader, Churchill Adedipe (Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency 1, said that the sitting ought to have taken place in the hallowed chamber on April 7, 2015‎ but members were waylaid by thugs who mounted roadblock and threatened their lives with dangerous weapons, thereby making them to abandon going to the Assembly.

Relying on Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), Adedipe moved the motion empowering the Chief Judge to set up the panel.

His motion was seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Adetunji Orisalade, representing Ido/Osi Constituency 2.

After debates, the lawmakers in a unanimous vote supported the motion‎ directing the Chief Judge to set up the panel.

The House adjourned to the next legislative day.

The monarchs further stated: “Council hereby appeals to all political gladiators to sheathe their swords, eschew violence and give peace a chance, as we believe that violence cannot solve the problems at hand.”

They, therefore, called on the law enforcement agencies to ensure safety of lives and property during and after the April 11 House of Assembly election and charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be impartial during the Saturday’s poll. It also urged the politicians and the electorate to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act for the poll to be peaceful.