Tag: Fayose

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose is embroiled in a fresh controversy in his home town of Afao-Ekiti over the demolition of the Omotoso family house at 7, Oke Iro Street.

In the demolition, which started at 3am, remains of family members who were buried in the building were excavated.

The family members are very furious over what they called “Fayose’s act of impunity”.

Family sources said although the governor claimed that the house was demolished to give way for the construction of a new palace for the Alafao of Afao-Ekiti, his real reason is because most of the family members belong to the opposition APC.

The family’s spokesman, who is also the APC secretary in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, David Oluwafemi Omotoso, in a statement said: “On May 2 by 3am, government agents bulldozed my father’s house which has been in existence for over 100 years.

“The reason was that the house was ‘covering’ the palace.

“The land on which the new palace is built is part of my father’s land.

“This is a case of sheer victimisation and humiliation just because I am an APC member.”

The governor had earlier informed Omotoso of his decision to acquire the house and land for the building of a new palace but his request was turned down.

Omotoso said the present site of the palace was part of his family land, which they released a long time ago for the palace.

“We, therefore, cannot release our only family house, which had existed over 100 years and where we have buried members of the family.

“Members of the Omotoso family and the town were shell-shocked when they woke up on May 2 to find the building in rubble after Fayose’s bulldozers brought it down at 3am.

“The most revolting action was the display of some of the coffins excavated by the bulldozers.

“ As at the time of demolition,  the house was undergoing renovation,” Omotoso said.

Another uncompleted building located behind the demolished building belonging to Mr. David Omotoso, was also pulled down.

The rubbles were swiftly and clinically evacuated before dawn.

Another member of the family, Mrs Bose Ige (nee Omotoso), an APC member,  also believes that Fayose demolished the family house to punish them because they belong to the APC.

“If a land or property is to be acquired, is it by force and without compensation?

“Is Mr. Fayose acquiring our family house as an indigene of Afao or as governor ?

“This is an abuse of power and oppression of the highest order. My family will not take this lying low at all.”

The governor’s aides, Idowu Adelusi and Lere Olayinka, could not be reached for comments.

The duo did not answer their calls yesterday night.

Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has “shifted ground” to ensure the resolution of the tussle between him and the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers.

Fayose said: “If not for the experience I have garnered, my government would have been history.”

The governor spoke yesterday at a peace meeting brokered by Ekiti elders, led by eminent lawyer Chief Afe Babalola.

He accused the media of propagating the crisis, saying Ekiti does not deserve the uncomplimentary headlines being foisted on it.

The meeting, held at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), was shunned by the APC lawmakers, led by Speaker Adewale Omirin.

The lawmakers alleged plots to arrest them and keep them out of circulation, until the end of their tenure.

Four of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, led by factional Speaker Dele Olugbemi, attended the meeting.

Other elders present were Chairman, Standing Committee, State Council of Elders, Chief Deji Fasuan; former Minister of National Planning Chief Ayo Ogunlade and former Secretary General of Yoruba Council of Elders, Dr. Kunle Olajide.

Despite the absence of the APC lawmakers, the elders resolved to continue with the  meeting in which they reiterated their call on the warring factions to embrace peace.

The ABUAD campus witnessed an overwhelming presence of armed policemen and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The governor said the experience of his 2006 impeachment was brought to bear in “protecting the mandate given to him by the electorate”.

He said his call for peace was not out of cowardice but to show the character of a leader.

His words: “I am not a first-time governor, I am better informed now to know the difference between the executive and the legislature.

“If not for experience, this PDP government would have become history. The difference between the last time and now is the experience I have.

 “The last time, they came and took off my neck, should I look on for them to cut my head again? No.

“It is wrong for people to keep saying to me that you are the father. Should I as a father sit and allow someone cut off my nose and hand. Then later return to remove my eyes and finally cut off my head?

“What will I turn to? I want to appeal to the media because they have done enough damage to the state.

“Tomorrow, you will see headlines, such as ‘APC lawmakers shun Afe Babalola’; ‘APC lawmakers accuse Fayose of trying to kill them’ or ‘Fayose begs’.

“They are looking for technicalities to remove Fayose and it shows that there is a motive to consume this state.

“How can 19 people sit in one corner saying they want to undo what the people have done?”

The governor also denied the APC lawmakers’ allegation that he wants to arrest them at the meeting.

He said: “I am ready to shift ground to see that they finish their tenure successfully and pay them all their dues.

“I’m ready to work with them and make them happy.

“It is not only during crisis we should be having a forum like this.”

Babalola regretted the absence of the APC lawmakers, saying he had made necessary arrangements for their safety.

He said former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun, was on his way to the meeting before receiving information that the meeting had been cancelled, which made him to return to Lagos.

Babalola said his prayer was that peace should reign in Ekiti to set it on the path of development.

Fasuan raised alarm on what to expect from the two sides in the next 30 days, which he described as “landmines”. He urged them to consider the future of the children.

Ogunlade said conflict resolution comes with “give and take”, urging the factions to be ready to give up certain principles.

Olajide said Ekiti problems would be solved internally.

Olugbemi alleged that he was part of a meeting held with senior APC leaders where a plot was hatched to remove Fayose.

The factional speaker said he would prefer a face-to-face meeting with the APC lawmakers alleging that “those sponsoring them have nothing against the governor other than to remove him”.

Commissioner of Police Joshua Ibine and Director of DSS said the security agencies had no plans to arrest the APC lawmakers.

According to them, their resolve was to abide by their constitutional roles to ensure security of lives and property and preservation of law and order.

Resolutions

•That all participants agree that peace is paramount

•Security chiefs will be impartial and maintain law and order at all times

•That the meeting regrets that the  19 APC lawmakers did not attend

•That it was agreed that peace will be restored with the cooperation of all and the other party must be present in subsequent meetings

•That the 19 APC lawmakers should return to base and attend other meetings to be organised and their return will be championed by security chiefs

•That the governor is to shift ground if that will produce peace

•That the body would hold regular meetings

•That if the other side agrees to come to peace meetings, our governor is prepared to shift ground on all contending issues

•That the meeting agrees from available materials and evidence of the Commissioner of Police and Director of Department of State Services that there was no arrangement or directive that any of them (opposition legislators) will be arrested

•That it was agreed that the media should correctly and accurately report what transpired at the meeting

Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has “shifted ground” to ensure the resolution of the tussle between him and the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers.

Fayose said: “If not for the experience I have garnered, my government would have been history.”

The governor spoke yesterday at a peace meeting brokered by Ekiti elders, led by eminent lawyer Chief Afe Babalola.

He accused the media of propagating the crisis, saying Ekiti does not deserve the uncomplimentary headlines being foisted on it.

The meeting, held at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), was shunned by the APC lawmakers, led by Speaker Adewale Omirin.

The lawmakers alleged plots to arrest them and keep them out of circulation, until the end of their tenure.

Four of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, led by factional Speaker Dele Olugbemi, attended the meeting.

Other elders present were Chairman, Standing Committee, State Council of Elders, Chief Deji Fasuan; former Minister of National Planning Chief Ayo Ogunlade and former Secretary General of Yoruba Council of Elders, Dr. Kunle Olajide.

Despite the absence of the APC lawmakers, the elders resolved to continue with the  meeting in which they reiterated their call on the warring factions to embrace peace.

The ABUAD campus witnessed an overwhelming presence of armed policemen and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The governor said the experience of his 2006 impeachment was brought to bear in “protecting the mandate given to him by the electorate”.

He said his call for peace was not out of cowardice but to show the character of a leader.

His words: “I am not a first-time governor, I am better informed now to know the difference between the executive and the legislature.

“If not for experience, this PDP government would have become history. The difference between the last time and now is the experience I have.

 “The last time, they came and took off my neck, should I look on for them to cut my head again? No.

“It is wrong for people to keep saying to me that you are the father. Should I as a father sit and allow someone cut off my nose and hand. Then later return to remove my eyes and finally cut off my head?

“What will I turn to? I want to appeal to the media because they have done enough damage to the state.

“Tomorrow, you will see headlines, such as ‘APC lawmakers shun Afe Babalola’; ‘APC lawmakers accuse Fayose of trying to kill them’ or ‘Fayose begs’.

“They are looking for technicalities to remove Fayose and it shows that there is a motive to consume this state.

“How can 19 people sit in one corner saying they want to undo what the people have done?”

The governor also denied the APC lawmakers’ allegation that he wants to arrest them at the meeting.

He said: “I am ready to shift ground to see that they finish their tenure successfully and pay them all their dues.

“I’m ready to work with them and make them happy.

“It is not only during crisis we should be having a forum like this.”

Babalola regretted the absence of the APC lawmakers, saying he had made necessary arrangements for their safety.

He said former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun, was on his way to the meeting before receiving information that the meeting had been cancelled, which made him to return to Lagos.

Babalola said his prayer was that peace should reign in Ekiti to set it on the path of development.

Fasuan raised alarm on what to expect from the two sides in the next 30 days, which he described as “landmines”. He urged them to consider the future of the children.

Ogunlade said conflict resolution comes with “give and take”, urging the factions to be ready to give up certain principles.

Olajide said Ekiti problems would be solved internally.

Olugbemi alleged that he was part of a meeting held with senior APC leaders where a plot was hatched to remove Fayose.

The factional speaker said he would prefer a face-to-face meeting with the APC lawmakers alleging that “those sponsoring them have nothing against the governor other than to remove him”.

Commissioner of Police Joshua Ibine and Director of DSS said the security agencies had no plans to arrest the APC lawmakers.

According to them, their resolve was to abide by their constitutional roles to ensure security of lives and property and preservation of law and order.

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose yesterday withdrew one of the two suits he filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, to stop the ongoing impeachment move against him.

His lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, who is also representing the other plaintiffs, told the court yesterday that his clients filed a notice of discontinuance on April 24.

He urged the court to strike out the suit. Adedipe was, however, silent on why he applied for a withdrawal.

Plaintiffs include Dele Olugbemi (who claims to be the Speaker), the House of Assembly, Fayose and his deputy, Kolapo Olusola.

The Speaker, Adewale Omirin,  Inspector General of Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, were listed as defendants.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed faulted the objection raised by Omirin’s lawyer, Terence Vembe, on the ground that the plaintiffs were permitted, under the court’s rules, to withdraw their case.

The judge struck out the case.

Fayose and others still have a similar suit pending before Justice Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/3612015, has the seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House of Assembly as plaintiffs.

The 19 APC lawmakers, the IG, the Clerk, House of Assembly and INEC are defendants.

On April 23, Justice Chukwu, upon an exparte motion by the plaintiffs, ordered the defendants to show why he should not grant the plaintiffs’ prayers for orders restraining the defendants.

The judge also ordered parties to maintain status quo ante bellum “as at April 23, 2015”, pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice for interlocutory injunctions equally filed by the plaintiffs.

Justice Chukwu refused to grant the plaintiffs’ prayer for an order setting aside all actions taken by the 19 APC lawmakers, including “the purported commencement of impeachment proceedings and notice of alleged misconduct against Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose and his Deputy”.

Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has said the impeachment crisis has been blown out of proportion.

The governor, who spoke at the State Delegates Congress of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said he deals with reality and does not play his own brand of politics on the pages of newspapers.

Fayose was responding to a comment made by a senior labour official, Babatunde Liadi, who represented the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, who said the crisis rocking the state is not as serious as the world is being made to believe.

The governor said the opposition must be appealed to for him to “take care of the people who voted him into office”.

He, however, regretted the shortfall in the state’s allocation, which has made paying workers’ salaries a huge challenge.

Fayose said the state’s monthly allocation now stands at N2billion while the monthly wage bill is N2.6 billion.

The governor promised to summon a stakeholders’ meeting on how best to manage the situation.

He said: “Those of you who travelled from afar off to Ekiti today can attest to the fact that Ekiti crisis is being overblown.

“I want to thank the NLC President for even raising the observation. We are on ground alongside these workers here in Ekiti. We are not doing our own politics on the pages of newspapers because I deal with reality.

“Ekiti workers played prominent roles in my return to governance. They said I was impeached. Even the Supreme Court, in its judgment last week, said they were only lying, that I was never impeached. What victory could be more than this?

“I am not in Ekiti to persecute anybody. I believe I was brought back to do good to all manner of men and that is why I have been waving the olive branch to the lawmakers and the opposition.

“They have to be honourable like President Goodluck Jonathan, who had to leave his office for Nigeria to remain united. Please appeal to the opposition to allow Fayose to be so that I can take care of the people who voted me into power.

 “I want to appeal to you to use your election as an example. Let it represent the wish of your members. Don’t conduct the election in a way that would create crisis or division because another four years is in the offing for another person to take over.”

Wabba said the erroneous impression created in the minds of outsiders was that the state had been permanently engulfed by crisis.

The NLC chief said: “When I was to come to Ekiti to preside over this election, I was skeptical because I thought the state was in crisis.

“But when I got here, I saw that everywhere was peaceful, so I realised that political actors created the wrong impression to the outside world.

“But I want to commend Governor Fayose for handling the matter maturely. I want to believe that the maturity must have created the peace being enjoyed by residents.”

Traditional rulers in Ekiti State have warned the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the House of Assembly against impeaching Governor Ayo Fayose.

They reiterated their opposition “in an unequivocal term, any or all moves by the outgoing lawmakers and their sponsors to impeach the governor and any move in this direction should stop forthwith.”

The Obas, who held an emergency meeting on Wednesday, accused the APC lawmakers, who form majority in the Assembly, of “consistently frustrating all their peace moves by not attending meetings called for the purpose”.

In a 13-point communiqué by the Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Adamo Idowu Babalola, made available to reporters yesterday, the monarchs said: “They are deeply concerned and worried about the lingering political upheaval which became aggravated after the March 28 presidential election.”

The royal fathers, however, praised the Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, for “rising above partisan positions to uphold the tenets of his office, despite pressures from interested quarters”.

They implored Daramola “to continue in the same spirit so as to ensure that the popular wish of the generality of the people is not subverted”.

The Obas appealed to Fayose to “graciously consider giving palliative measures to alleviate the sufferings of the agitating lawmakers”, whose salaries and entitlements have not been paid since December.

They maintained that Fayose still remains the legitimate governor of Ekiti State and should be allowed to exercise the mandate given to him by the electorate.