Police restore Ekiti speaker’s security

 

Fayose kicks as lawmakers insist he must go

The police have restored  Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Omirin’s security team.

Omirin, who leads the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) majority lawmakers, lost his security backing after seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers claimed to have removed him from office.

The restoration of his security  on the orders of Inspector-General of Police Suleiman Abba,  follows the restoration of the Department of State Security (DSS) personnel attached to him also at the weekend, a source close to the Speaker told our correspondent.

The Omirin-led lawmakers, who returned from ‘exile’ last week will likely hold a plenary at the  House of Assembly complex tomorrow, based on  last Thursday’s adjournment.

Thepolice have stepped up security in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, and other parts of the state following moves to remove Governor Ayo Fayose from office.

Nineteen members of the House of Assembly who belong to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have signed a notice of impeachment, which they sent to Fayose and his deputy, Kolapo Olusola.

The lawmakers alleged that Fayose committed eight impeachable offences since returning to power last October.

But the governor described the attempt to sack him as the “joke of the century”, saying the lawmakers were attempting to test the people’s will.

The police are not taking chances as the plot to impeach Fayose has heightened tension in a week the people will go to the polls to elect members of the House of Assembly.

Commissioner of Police Taiwo Lakanu yesterday said his command was up to the task in ensuring that there is no breakdown of law and order.

Lakanu said the command had put in place a 24-hour security surveillance around the House of Assembly complex and other flash points.

Said the police chief: “I have emplaced security. Personnel have been placed on alert while high visibility patrol is being conducted around Ado-Ekiti.

“We know the tension generated must have caused some apprehension, but we are being proactive because the security of lives and property and general peace of the people is our topmost priority.

“We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety of our citizens

and for everybody to go about their normal business without fear or harassment.”

The APC Youth Wing has hailed the impeachment move.

Youth Leader Femi Ogundare described the lawmakers’ action as “timely and courageous to save Ekiti from the grip of one-man dictator who has violated the Constitution he swore to defend”.

Ogundare said  Ekiti people were tired of what he called the unending rape of the Constitution going on under Fayose’s watch, adding that the emerging new Nigeria would not tolerate the impunity and lawlessness being witnessed in the state.

“No single individual can be bigger than Ekiti. A governor is on the executive seat by the grace of the mandate of the people and anytime he carries out any act that violates the Constitution, the House of Assembly is there to perform their functions.

“The people of the state have witnessed unprecedented infractions on the rule of law, etiquette of public office standard of governance and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The emerging new Nigeria won’t tolerate the serial illegalities being witnessed in Ekiti State and something urgent must be done to halt the slide into anarchy in the Land of Honour.

“Nobody is above the law and the law must take its course to deal with any act that violates the Constitution,” Ogundare said.