Ekiti Assembly Warns FG against Rigging Guber Poll

By Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

The Ekiti State House of Assembly on Monday held a special plenary at the base of the newly commissioned flyover in Ado Ekiti, applauding Governor Ayodele Fayose for his good performances and also warning the federal government against rigging the July 14 gubernatorial election.

The 1.2 kilometre long flyover located between Fajuyi junction and Ojumose, was inaugurated last week by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The special sitting, presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Kola Oluwawole, and attended by 19 out of the 26 members, was like a drama, as the legislators drove from the Assembly complex in a convoy and held the plenary at the odd arena for one hour and 15 minutes.

The just impeached Deputy Speaker and Chief Whip, Hons Segun Adewumi and Sunday Akinniyi respectively, were conspicuously absent at the session.

The lawmakers had to block access to the flyover and other adjoining roads to hold the session, which led to the diversion of vehicles to another direction.

In the resolutions passed at the special session, the House unanimously commended Fayose for his giant strides in Ekiti and also identified with the continuity agenda that would enable the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Prof Kolapo Olusola and his running mate, Mr Deji Ogunsakin, succeed the governor in the
July 14 governorship poll.

The Assembly also resolved that the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari shouldn’t truncate democracy in Ekiti by rigging the election in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the poll, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

They warned that any attempt to rig the election and immerse Ekiti into crisis of monumental proportion will be resisted, just as they warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to be above board and act truly as unbiased umpires.

Speaking at the session after contributions from members, Hon.
Oluwawole, described Fayemi as a serial loser in Ekiti politics, who can’t be helped with any federal might.

“Even the election he won in 2010 was through judicial abracadabra of the Justice Ayo Salami-led Appeal Panel. He lost in 2014 and he will lose woefully in July 14.

“We have been hearing that they were planning to arrest us, but we can’t be harassed, cowed or intimidated or kidnapped by anybody.

“We register our unalloyed loyalty to Governor Fayose for his good works and we urge the good people of Ekiti State to troop out on July 14 and vote for joint ticket of Kolapo Olusola and Deji
Ogunsakin,” Oluwawole said.

He dispelled the insinuation that 10 lawmakers were planning to defect on account of alleged frosty relationship with Fayose.

He stated: “The Assembly is united for Fayose and for continuity agenda. Those who didn’t attend this session took permission. Only one lawmaker is on suspension, the remaining 25 are united as one big family.”

While contributing at the plenary, the Chairman, House Committee on
Information, Hon. Samuel Omotoso, said Fayemi’s popularity has nosedived to the level that his impending defeat can’t be salvaged by anybody including President Buhari.

“Dr Fayemi’s case in this election is like a case of a patient whose situation has no good prognosis, it means such patient can’t survive. So, Fayemi can’t survive this political fall.

“I am from his constituency. Out of the six wards in the constituency, the former governor has always been winning only one, which was his Isan/Ilemeso/Ilafon ward. So, Fayemi is a patient that
can’t be helped,” Omotoso said.

At a press conference after the session, Omotoso said: “We have consistently resisted and stated for the umpteenth time that executive-legislature bickering is not sine qua non to legislative performance as some are made to believe.

“We were elected by the people to ensure accountability and rapid transformation across the state, this we have achieved as exhibited by landmark achievements of the incumbent governor.

“This honourable house is irrevocably committed from inception and up till now to our leader, Governor Fayose, this will remain forever without apology to anyone.”

Other lawmakers: Deputy Speaker Sina Animasaun, representing Ekiti South West II, Keader of Business, Hon. Tunji Akinyele, Oye II, Hon. Dayo Akinleye,
Ijero constituency, Hon. Cecilia Dada, Ilejemeje constituency and Hon. Tope Sanmi, Ado II in their contributions warned the federal government against rigging the poll.

They said contemplating such action might end up truncating democracy
and create atmosphere of anarchy that could lead to crisis in the state.

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