The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has accused traditional rulers of taking sides with the Ayo Fayose administration in the impeachment crisis rocking the state.
The party, in a statement yesterday by its Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe, deplored what it called “the partisan intervention of the traditional rulers in the crisis”, adding that it was not surprised by the roles of the Obas.
Awe wondered why the monarchs were silent when Governor Ayo Fayose allegedly unleashed illegalities in the state by masterminding unconstitutional change of leadership in the House and using seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers to commit serial illegalities.
The APC boss said the traditional leaders by their behaviour had confirmed the allegations against them by a group of Ekiti youths that they agreed to support Fayose when he sought their cooperation to unleash mayhem on the opposition.
Taking sides with Fayose and his government, according to Awe, is akin to supporting illegalities, brigandage, attacks on the constitution and the rule of law.
Awe said: “When we read in the media that the Obas agreed to keep quiet when Fayose unleashes violence on the opposition, we did not believe until events began to unfold.
“To respond to this clearly unfortunate partisan position by the obas, we will like to ask the same questions that the Ekiti Youth Vanguard asked: where were the obas when Fayose stormed the court to desecrate the temple of justice? They kept quiet. Where were they when the 19 lawmakers were being hunted in their homes?
“What did they say or do when seven PDP members held illegal sitting to purportedly impeach the Speaker, Dr Adewale Omirin?
“The seven PDP lawmakers sat to approve the budget, Fayose’s cabinet nominees and pass certain laws that required public hearings but they refused to hold public hearings on these laws, what did the obas say about these illegal acts and what did they say or do to correct the anomalies?
“What did they say when Fayose withdrew Omirin’s security aides, seized his official car, locked up his office, cut electricity supply to his house, forced him out of his official quarters and illegally sacked his aides?
“What did our obas say when Fayose seized the salaries and allowances of the lawmakers?
“What did they say about constitutional breaches which Fayose committed with impunity? The monarchs were alive when the lawmakers were not allowed into Ekiti State to attend their campaign rallies, what did they do?”
The party regretted that the obas chose to keep quiet when Fayose turned the heat on the lawmakers.
“This is a clear support for brigandage and lawlessness and it is unfortunate that the crisis is being turned into a profiteering escapade.”