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Tag: Ekiti STATE

  • Salary crisis: Ekiti NLC, TUC impose 10-year ban on two Labour leaders

    ‘Unions remain dissolved,’ says banned officials

    Crisis rocking the Labour movement in Ekiti State deepened on Monday as the state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress (TUC) imposed a ten-year ban on immediate past chairmen, Mr. Ayodeji Aluko and Mr. Kolawole Olaiya, from trade unionism.

    The ten-year ban was imposed on the duo for leading a protest and shutdown of the State Secretariat last Thursday in protest against the arrears of salaries owed workers by the state government.

    Acting on the auspices of Ekiti Workers Rescue Team, Aluko, Olaiya and other labour leaders declared an indefinite strike and passed a resolution dissolving NLC and TUC executives led by Mr. Ade Adesanmi and Mr. Odunayo Adesoye respectively.

    Rising from an emergency congress held at Labour House, Ado-Ekiti on Monday and attended by affiliate unions, the union leaders insisted that Aluko and Olaiya lacked powers to declare strike and dissolve excos of the unions having finished their terms.

    Addressing reporters at the end of the congress, NLC Chairman, Adesanmi, urged security agencies to call Aluko and Olaiya to order accusing the duo of working as agents of destabilization.

    Adesanmi said: “The illegal activities of the aforementioned ex-labour leaders acting under the guise of Ekiti Workers Rescue Team came to a climax on Thursday, August 23 when they gathered thugs and molested workers who were carrying out their legitimate and lawful duties.

    “There is need to ask them whose interest were they protecting, because they didn’t act when workers were owed over eight month salaries. They have never engaged the government to pay pensioners but they only woke up after the July 14 governorship election.

    “Sometimes ago, an administrative panel was set up by the outgoing government of Governor Ayodele Fayose against Comrade Aluko and found him guilty of participating in electioneering  in 2015, which was against public service rule. It was the same unions that intervened and ensured that he was pardoned.

    “It is no more news that Comrade Aluko was promoted to the position of Director of Administration at the local government ahead of his seniors and the government looked at this and reverted him to the rightful position. It was clear that this ex-labour leader is aggrieved. But must he hide under non-payment of salary to get at the government?

    “How could labour leaders gathered thugs and pronounced the entire labour structure dissolved. Were they State Executive Council of the labour unions? The two of them are not members of SEC, where now did they derive such powers.

    Read Also: Unpaid salaries: Ekiti labour leaders declare strike

    “With their actions of recent, it is clear that they were only clearing coast for political appointments from the incoming government and not fighting the interest of workers.

    “Following these, they are declared persona non grata in labour circle and they are banned from labour activities for a period of ten years”, he said.

    Reacting to the ban, Aluko maintained that Adesanmi and Adesoye have been proscribed from acting in their positions by workers, having failed to fight for the rights of those that voted them into their respective offices.

    Aluko said Adesoye’s tenure as TUC chairman had lapsed in July, saying he lacked the locus standi to preside over a meeting where any member will be suspended or barred.

    He said: “Can any labour leaders who has been described a persona non grata by the entire workforce preside over a meeting and suspend any member?

    “Two, is the fact that the two labour leaders (Adesanmi and Adesoye) have lost their values. They are enjoying the support of the government, so they can decide to take illegal actions pending the time another government will ascend the throne.

    “But let me say this, workers will send them out of the secretariats by the time this government leaves. TUC Chairman had served out his term, while that of NLC will end in February.

    “I want to assure Adesanmi that he will be the first NLC chairman that won’t complete his term in Ekiti. What he is doing is anti-labour and he shall pay dearly for it.”

  • Ekiti murder suspect: I killed monarch to claim his throne

    …Suspected cultists, robbers paraded by Police

    A murder suspect, Omoniyi Ademola, has revealed that he killed a traditional ruler in Ekiti State, Oba Gbadebo Ogunsakin to take over his throne.

    Ademola stabbed Oba Ogunsakin, the Onise of Odo Oro in Ikole Local Government Area to death with a knife on Monday.

    Eighty-year-old Oba Ogunsakin, who was enthroned in 1986, was stabbed to death in his palace on Monday after chairing a meeting of his council of chiefs in the palace.

    The suspect thrust the knife into the monarch’s chest with the victim giving up the ghost before reaching the hospital.

    Read Also:Police arrest murder suspect in Delta

    He fled to Ado-Ekiti after committing the regicide but was arrested at Ajowa Market in Dallimore area of the city around 4.30 pm same day.

    Speaking while being paraded alongside suspects arrested for various crimes at the police headquarters in Ado Ekiti on Friday, Ademola, who is in his 40s, said he committed the regicide to claim his “right.”

    Ademola, who spoke correct English and never showed any sign of insanity, was said to belong to another royal family in the community.

    He claimed that his family had nominated him to take over from the late king whom he said was serving as a hindrance.

    The suspect said: “The crown didn’t belong to Oba Ogunsakin because the town last year declared vacancy because of the death of our Oba.

    “They said our Oba was dead and my family nominated me to take over only for him to resurface again and said he remained the Oba.

    “Last year December, my family nominated me and since then I have been trying to take over. That day when I got to the palace, it was the late Oba that first attacked me and I attacked him back which led to his death.”

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bello Ahmed, had earlier addressed a press conference on the recent breakthroughs recorded by the command in arresting the suspects.

    The police chief dismissed claims in some quarters that the suspect is mentally unstable.

    Ahmed said: “I am not a medical expert to know who is mentally unstable or not.

    “But the fact remains that, how could a lunatic committed murder and ran over 100 kilometers from the scene of the incident?

    “So, common sense dictates that he must have known what he was doing to have run from that town to Ado Ekiti.”

    Answering question on the killing of former Commissioner on the board of the Federal Character Commission, Mr. Bunmi Ojo on August 10, the CP said the command was making progress with some arrests made.

    He added: “We are on the trail of the killers, we have reached advanced stage. Some suspects had been arrested and they are helping the police.

    “Efforts are being intensified and we shall feed the public with the right information when we are ready to charge them to court.”

    Also paraded were 25 other suspects, who were arrested for cultism and other murder cases, including a man, Toyin Ajakaye, who allegedly hanged a commercial motorcyclist in his farm in Agbado Ekiti on Wednesday.

    Ahmed  added that the 16 suspects arrested for allegedly belonging to ‘Aye’ and ‘Eye’ confraternities have confessed their memberships of the secret cults, saying they will be charged to court soon.

    He revealed that weapons like: one cut-to-size gun, one cartridge, criminal charms, Toyota Camry Car with Registration number FKJ 912 DEK, one kitchen knife and one cutlass were recovered from the suspected cultists.

    Ahmed revealed that four armed robbery gang: Idowu Oluwole, Ganiyu Rasak, Ojo Ayomide and Asimile Efra were arrested for stealing a Bajaj motorcycle from one victim in Ado Ekiti.

    The police boss the command will continue to intensify efforts to ensure that criminals have no hidden place in the state.

  • Unpaid Salaries: Ekiti workers chased out of office

    There was confusion at Ekiti State Secretariat on Thursday when some labour leaders chased out workers and declared an indefinite strike action over unpaid salaries.

    The unionists who were followed by other workers also passed a resolution dissolving the state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC).

    Acting under the aegis of Ekiti Workers Rescue Team (EWRT), the protesting labour leaders and workers were led by the former Chairmen of NLC and TUC, Mr. Ayodeji Aluko and Mr. Kolawole Olaiya respectively.

    The placard-carrying protesters slammed the incumbent NLC Chairman, Mr. Ade Adesanmi and his TUC counterpart, Mr. Odunayo Adesoye, of compromising workers’ interest for personal benefits.

    They said owing core civil servants arrears six months, local government workers six months and pensioners eight months with no serious commitment to offset the backlog was “immoral, ungodly and unacceptable.”

    They observed a minute silence in honour of workers who died in the last four years owing to hardship unleashed on them over government’s failure to pay their salaries and other entitlements.

    Read Also: Ekiti is in pains

    Some of their placards read: “Fayose’s wicked government must go,” “Workers are eating from dustbin,” “Bread and butter unionism is counterproductive,” “Fake labour leaders must go,” “We are dying of hunger,” “It is strange for labour leaders to be defending government,” among others.

    Addressing workers during the protest, Aluko said it was wicked of the Fayose regime to pay six month salaries and furniture allowance to political office holders and refuse to offset arrears owed workers and pensioners.

    Aluko said: “Today, we are dissolving the executives of NLC and TUC in Ekiti and they stand dissolved, because their leaders, Ade Adesanmi and Odunayo Adesoye have lost their values. They are no longer talking about the welfare of the workers they were expected to defend.

    “We decided not to do this protest before election, so that they won’t read political meanings to it. Workers have died, just because they are not paid. In 2014, Governor Fayose said any governor who owed just a month salary because he is building infrastructure doesn’t worth being a governor.

    “Today, the governor owes pensioners ten months, LG workers eight months and civil servants and teachers are owed six months. We are not fighting Governor Fayose but he must pay the workers.

    “Shortly after the election, Fayose quickly paid six month salaries and furniture allowances of political office holders, then what becomes of our teeming workers?

    “It was sad that Adesanmi and Adesoye decided to give Fayemi three months moratorium to pay workers when assumed office, when they were practically doing nothing to ensure that Governor Fayose doesn’t leave office a debtor governor as he promised.

    “We hereby declare indefinite strike commencing from today and only the national secretariats of both TUC and NLC can negotiate on our behalf, because we no longer trust the State leaderships of the two congresses.

    “We regret to inform you that after a thorough consultation and proper reviewing of the decision of Ekiti workers’ congress to withdraw their services until all arrears are cleared.

    “EWRT hereby toe the line of the generality of workers and resolved as follows: that all workers in the civil and public service of Ekiti State should embark on indefinite strike = commencing today, Thursday, 23rd August, 2018 that there should be no skeletal services by any sector of the economy as the strike is termed total that under no circumstance should there be any business transaction in account, bursary and any other department relating to the treasury of Ekiti State. This will be strictly resisted by workers of Ekiti.”

  • Fayose: I’m fulfilled leaving worthy legacies behind

    As his tenure winds down in less than two months, Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has said he is fulfilled leaving behind legacies that will not be forgotten in history.

    Fayose said the various developmental projects carried out by his administration will continue to speak for him long after he might have left office.

    He praised the people of Ado-Ekiti for their support during his tenure which he said resulted in construction of legacy projects in the city.

    As the battle for the governorship seat shifts to the courtroom, Fayose urged the people of the state to remain calm and be peaceful.

    Making allusion to the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the July 14 governorship election who is also his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, Fayose expressed optimism that “God will return the glory of Zion very soon.”

    Olusola was defeated by the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Fayose spoke on Tuesday at the grand finale of this year’s Udiroko Festival in Ado-Ekiti, which marks the beginning of a new year in the town’s traditional calendar.

    This year’s Udiroko was chaired by eminent lawyer and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola and it will be the last to be attended by Fayose in his capacity as governor.

    The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, Aladesanmi III, received homage from traditional chiefs, palace queens, honorary chiefs, traditional warriors, traditional police, market women, ethnic nationalities resident in the town and other interest groups.

    Fayose, himself a honorary chief, paid a special homage to Ewi and prayed that “Ado will not receive an unwanted visitor.”

    The governor emphasized that he still remains in office and will perform some functions until the expiry of his tenure on October 16 when he is expected to make way for Fayemi.

    Read Also: Fayose’s rushed recruitment in bad faith, says Fayemi

    He promised to allocate shops to market women displaced by the construction of the new Erekesan Market including “pepper and vegetable sellers” before the week runs out.

    “I will give the shops back to the poor people who are interested in them and this will be backed with valid documents.

    “The pepper sellers, the vegetable sellers will regain their shops back.

    “I gave you my word that I will perform and work for you and to the glory of God,  I have performed.

    “To the glory of God, I came, I saw and conquered; I came, I saw and I conquered.

    “Very soon, I will roll out the timetable for a tour round the state to say thank you to the people.

    “Even if Eleka (Olusola) had been declared winner, I will still go. Don’t fight with anybody continue to sing the song of praise.

    “By the grace of God, the glory and plunder of Zion shall be returned.”

    Babalola in his speech described Udiroko as a veritable platform for the people of the town to remember the tradition and culture of their ancestors.

    He, however, expressed regret that some events he described as “enemies of progress” have eroded great virtues of Ekiti.

    Babalola decried the upsurge in criminal activities in the state such as robbery, daylight killings, stealing, destruction of property and kidnapping which he said were alien to Ekiti.

    According to him, lack of infrastructure like motorable highway, absence of rail lines, airport, steady electricity and water will continue to deny Ekiti of the needed investment.

    Babalola noted that the development of Ekiti is the responsibility of both the state government and the people urging them to join hands to lift their home state.

    Oba Adejugbe in his remarks praised Babalola for siting ABUAD on Ado Ekiti soil describing the University as “one of the best in the world.”

    He urged Ado indigenes who are eligible voters to troop out in large numbers and register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCS).

    This, he said, will allow them to vote for the candidates of their choice in the 2019 general elections.

    The Ewi also hailed Fayose for executing remarkable projects in his palace like the hall, amphitheatre and other infrastructure including the flyover and the new market.

    The monarch said: “Forever, the name of Peter Ayodele Fayose will not be forgotten in the history of Ado-Ekiti.

    “You have done these for yourself and in the future, people will be asking who did these and they will answer that they were done by Peter Ayodele Fayose.

    “You did it during my reign but in your name and I pray that as you leave,  everything you brought here, wife, children and property will not be lost.”

  • Fayose pays homage to Ewi at Udiroko festival

    Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, is presently agog as indigenes and other residents are celebrating this year’s Udiroko Festival.

    The festival is taking place at the palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe.

    This year’s Udiroko was chaired by the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola.

    The festival marks the beginning of the Ado-Ekiti traditional calendar.

    Read Also: Fayose’s rushed recruitment in bad faith, says Fayemi

    Traditional chiefs, palace queens, honorary chiefs and various interest groups paid homage to the Ewi.

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, himself a honorary chief, was among those who paid homage to the Ewi.

    Fayose in his homage prayed that “Ewi and people of Ado-Ekiti will not receive an unwanted visitor.”

    His homage and prayer caused a stir among the crowd who reeled in laughter.

  • ‘Lunatic’ who killed Ekiti monarch arrested

    Resident: How our king was killed

     

    The Police in Ekiti State have arrested a suspected mentally deranged man who killed the Onise of Odo Oro, Oba Gbadebo Ogunsakin.

    The suspect stabbed the traditional ruler with knife on Monday and bolted away after committing the crime.

    The king was killed shortly after chairing a meeting with his chiefs where matters of community development were said to have been discussed.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Caleb Ikechukwu, in a telephone chat with The Nation on Tuesday gave the name of the suspect who committed the regicide as Omoniyi Ademola Stephen.

    Ikechukwu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), disclosed that Ademola was arrested around 4.30 pm on Monday around Ajao Market in Ado-Ekiti.

    He said: “The suspect has been arrested and he was brought in under investigation.

    “He confessed to the act and our investigation continues. The matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for more investigation.”

    Read Also: Confusion as ‘Madman’ stabs Ekiti monarch to death

    Ikechukwu promised that the police will be professional and thorough in looking into the circumstances leading to the killing of the traditional ruler.”

    The suspect was said to have come to the palace and sat on the throne and claiming to be king before he was chased away.

    A source in the community revealed that the suspect attacked the monarch who was said to be trekking to his private residence few meters away from the palace.

    The monarch’s driver had taken his official vehicle for routine servicing when disaster struck.

    The source said: “Ademola who is believed to be mentally challenged, resulting from his various acts of drug abuse were reported to have recently adopted some funny stunts.

    “One of these was by going about various places pasting inscriptions around the town claiming he is the king, and wants to take his throne.

    “His attitude got out of control in the early hours of Monday, 20th August, 2018 when he stormed the palace ahead of a meeting of the king with the chiefs in council and sat on the King’s stool claiming he is the right owner.

    “One of the chiefs who must have got to the venue of the meeting met Ademola constituting nuisance informed the king.

    “And when the other chiefs arrived for the meeting along with the king, he was reportedly chased out of the palace with cane and the meeting lasted.

    “The chiefs departed after the meeting, leaving behind the king, who must have preferred to exercise his body strolling, taking a walk through the short distance from the palace to his residence which is less than 500 meters interval.

    “The late king usually walks distance even if his official vehicle is within reach. But today, his driver had traveled out of the town to service his official vehicle.

    “It is unclear if the chiefs on their way saw Ademola laying seige, but the king was killed at the junction of the palace which is stone throw to the palace and his residence by Ademola who must have laid ambush believing the king would definitely come through the only access road linking the Odo Oro township main road to the palace.

    “It was reported that a young lad carrying umbrella behind the king had rushed home to informed the queen, that someone was punching the king, not knowing it was a repeated stabbing by the assailant.

    “Before rescuers could move closer to he scene, the assailant was said to have jumped into the nearby bush and escaped, he was trailed up to Ijesa Isu Rd,and said to have entered into the thick bush again.

    “The king was soaked in blood and confirmed dead upon arrival at the State Specialist Hospital, Ikole.“

  • Unpaid salaries: Ekiti LG workers begin strike Aug 23

    Apparently angered by Governor Ayodele Fayose’s alleged lukewarm attitude towards the payment of arrears of their salaries, local government workers in Ekiti State are proceeding on an indefinite strike.

    The local government staff expressed dismay that they are still being owed seven month arrears of salaries and no serious efforts were being made to offset the debt.

    Acting under the aegis of the Ekiti State Council of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), the workers said the industrial action will commence from Thursday,  August 23.

    Their decision to stay away from work was reached at an emergency NULGE State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on Friday at the union secretariat along Iyin Road,  Ado Ekiti.

    In a communique issued at the end of the meeting a copy of which was made available to The Nation on Sunday, Ekiti NULGE condemned Fayose’s intention to employ 2,000 new workers when those who are already in the system are being owed arrears of salaries.

    It reads: “The NULGE, Ekiti State Branch, at its meeting held on Friday, 17th August,  2018, wish to remind the government that out of the four demands of the union,  in its communique issued on 25th July,  2018, only one of them was partially attended to; which is less than 5 per cent of our total demands.

    “The union wishes to reiterate that in spite of our agitation,  the government only paid up to December 2017 salary leaving seven (7) months yet unpaid.

    Read also: 3rd Mainland bridge to be shut down for four days

    “It is evident now that the government is insensitive to the workers’ plight because the union has it on good authority that the government is planning to add to the burden of the local governments by recruiting more hands to the teaching sector.

    “For the sake of clarity,  the union has nothing against the recruitment into SUBEB, but on condition that all salaries and other emoluments owed local government workers be paid before the commencement of the payment of the newly recruited personnel.

    “In view of the above, the State Executive Council (SEC) in session therefore directs all members of the union to stay at home indefinitely from Thursday, 23rd August, 2018 until further directives by the union.”

     

     

  • Your presidential ambition will fail, Group tells Tambuwal

    The Buhari Media Organisation said at the weekend that Sokoto state Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal was already running against the tide and would swim into political oblivion in 2019.

    The group said in a statement made available to The Nation that it was obvious that the Presidential ambition of the Sokoto state Governor would remain a pipe dream, while the people of Sokoto state will reject him even as Governor in 2019.

    The statement signed by the Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke described as unfortunate recent statement credited to the Governor disparaging President Muhammadu Buhari, saying it was ill-conceived and a total assault on our cultural values.

    The group wondered why the Governor has decided to in recent time engaged deliberate campaign of calumny against the President, saying his action was against the African tradition.

    The group warned that the Sokoto State Governor is on a road to perdition just like Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State in 2015, adding that this infamous style of politics belonged in the past.

    Read Also: I am under pressure to run for president, says Tambuwal

    The statement reads: “The recent tirade by Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal against President Muhammadu Buhari is unfortunate, ill-conceived and a total assault on our cultural values. Tambuwal had in recent time engaged deliberate campaign of calumny against the President.

    “It is necessary to remind Tambuwal that it is not African tradition for young people to insult their elders and such negative attitude usually has its consequences.

    “We also advise Governor Tambuwal to draw a lesson from what happened to Ayo Fayose in the last Ekiti governorship election, as he was roundly rejected by the electorate due to his non-performance and unguarded utterances.

    ‘’We also want to assure Tambuwal that his case will not be different from that of Ayo Fayose, as he will not only be rejected as the next governor of Sokoto state, but his presidential ambition will remain a pipe-dream as he has not only denied his people development, but has wasted the scarce resources he ordinarily should have used to render service to the good people of Sokoto state. Definitely Tambuwal will go into political oblivion in 2019 as he is already running against the tide.’’

    The group also reminds Governor Tambuwal that President Muhammadu Buhari’s integrity and track record are clear for everyone to see, and this is the reason for their continued support for him and those he supports in elections. ‘’This support was also manifested in the recent by-elections in Bauchi, Kogi, and Katsina states where the All Progressives Congress trounced all their opponents including Tambuwal’s PDP and there is no doubt that he will win the next presidential election with a landslide.’

  • Fayemi condemns alleged underhand recruitment of 2,000 new workers

    Ekiti State Governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has condemned alleged massive recruitment of workers by Governor Ayo Fayose less than two months before leaving office.

    Fayemi said “the last-minute employment of workers” was a booby trap to make life difficult for the incoming administration.

    Fayose is expected to make way for Fayemi on October 16 when the governor-elect will be sworn in.

    A statement on Thursday by the Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wole Olujobi, claimed that Fayose had just employed 600 teachers into the Teaching Service Commission, 400 staff into the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and 1,000 into the Ministry of Establishment.

    The governor-elect berated Fayose for embarking on a last minute mass recruitment to deceive the unsuspecting victims and set a booby-trap for the incoming administration.

    Noting that Fayose  was deliberately creating obstacles for the new administration having not employed one person in nearly four years, the statement wondered why the governor embarked on mass recruitment in the last few days to the end of his term.

    Read Also: Fayemi condoles with Ojo’s family

    According to him, Fayose was playing on the intelligence of the people to paint a picture of a man of the masses in clear infraction on the law.

    He said: “It is a grand deception and sheer wickedness for a governor that has refused to pay workers and pensioners for between six and 10 months to now turn around to recruit about 2,000 workers in a selective manner to favour his supporters only.”

    Olujobi described Fayose’s recruitment as an act of desperation by a governor who never cared for the people but would always take advantage of them in a most dehumanising manner.

    “Once again, we call on Ekiti people as we did in our recent press release to be wary of Fayose’s last minute illegal deals, transactions and mass recruitment which do not  follow due process.

    “Any transaction so done shall be reviewed by the incoming administration.”

  • Ekiti election: Fayose’s deputy files 700-page petition against Fayemi

    Urges tribunal to declare him winner of gov. poll

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, has dragged the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, before the Election Petition Tribunal.

    Olusola, who was the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the July 14 governorship election, urged the court to declare him winner of the poll claiming that he scored the highest number of lawful votes cast.

    He urged the jury to set aside the victory of Fayemi, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    According to the result declared by INEC, Fayemi polled a total of 197, 459 to defeat Olusola, who received 178, 121 votes.

    Olusola, who was accompanied by his running mate, Mr. Ayodeji Ogunsakin, submitted a 700-page petition at the tribunal registry within the State High Court premises at about 5.30 pm.

    The statutory 21-day grace allowed by the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) to file a petition by any candidate aggrieved with the outcome expired on Friday.

    Olusola explained that the team of lawyers that will defend his petition will be led by an Ilorin, Kwara State-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Malam Yusuf Ali.

    Speaking with reporters after filing the petition, Olusola said he was motivated to go to court because of what he described as the “brazen robbery” allegedly carried out by INEC in collaboration with federal security forces.

    He alleged that the poll was manipulated by people he described as “political desperadoes using the instruments of the Federal Government.

    The PDP flag bearer also alleged ballot snatching, ballot stuffing, gross falsification of results and the use of security forces to subvert the electoral wishes of Ekiti people.

    Read Also: Fayemi: Ekiti situation has worsened in four years

    He urged his supporters to keep hope alive noting that he has absolute trust in God and the judiciary to retrieve the alleged stolen mandate.

    Olusola said: “Today, I formally filed the much expected petition against the results of the July 14, 2018 governorship election, which was openly manipulated by political desperadoes, using instruments of the federal government.

    “Like I have maintained, I am challenging the election results not out of desperation to be governor, but for reasons of future and posterity, and largely on behalf of the people of Ekiti, who were taken aback by the outcome of the election.

    “Without doubt, the will of the people was subverted by those who have chosen to take Nigeria back to the dark days of ballot stuffing, ballot boxes snatching and outright falsification of election results and I believe they deserve to get justice.

    “I am challenging the election results not out of desperation to be governor, but for reasons of future and posterity, and largely on behalf of the people of Ekiti, who were taken aback by the outcome of the election.

    “Without doubt, the will of the people was subverted by those who have chosen to take Nigeria back to the dark days of ballot stuffing, ballot boxes snatching and outright falsification of election results and I believe they deserve to get justice.

    “As law abiding citizens of our country, the only path of honour to take in a situation like this is the process that we have initiated today, to seek redress against the use of security forces and other instruments of the federal government to suppress the will of our people.

    “Sadly, the desperation of the APC to take over all States in the country, especially those under governors like Dr. Ayodele Fayose perceived as uncompromising has destroyed all the gains made by the PDP government regarding free, fair and credible elections.

    “The mood of Ekiti people when the beneficiary of the electoral robbery was declared winner and up till today is a pointer to the resolve of the people not to accept the subversion of their will and we have answered their calls to use the judiciary to get back their mandate.

    “In doing this, we have presented overwhelming discrepancies in the results declared by INEC to the tribunal to adjudicate upon and I am confident that the popular mandate of the people of Ekiti will not go unrestored. I therefore want Ekiti people to keep hope alive, remain strong and resolute in their belief in God.

    “While we go through this judicial walk to exposing the electoral thievery of July 14, 2018, we urge the good people of Ekiti State, especially my teeming supporters to remain calm, peaceful and prayerful, bearing in mind that those who stole their mandate will not enjoy the benefits for long.

    “I also want to use this opportunity to condemn the indefinite closure of the State Radio and Television stations. No doubt, the closure of the radio and television stations was part of the grand plan to sustain the inglorious use of naked force to rob Ekiti people of their democratic rights, but the people will triumph ultimately”.

    A member of Olusola’s legal team to the petitioner, Mr. Ola Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate, said what the petitioner was asking for is outright nullification of the election that produced Fayemi and declare their client winner of the poll.

    Olanipekun said: “By the time the hearing begins, we are going to prove cases of falsification of results, ballot snatching, ballot stuffing and use of powers to subvert the will of the people.

    “By the time we do this, the whole world can judge whose the actual winner was. We are confident that justice will be done in this case, we are sure that our client shall get justice.