The EKITI State House of Assembly members have declared that their lives and that of the governor, Ayodele Fayose, are not safe, following several revelations, after the abduction of their colleagues – Honourable Sina Animasaun (Ekiti West II), Honourable Musa Arogundade (Ado II), Honourable Afolabi Akanni (Efon) and Honourable Badejo Anifowose (Moba I), at the Assembly on Friday, March 4.
The lawmakers, who were on a visit to the headquarters of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, on Wednesday, stated this, adding that they were ready to lay down their lives instead of compromising, as being suggested by the DSS and the opposition.
Honourable Babajide Omotoso, who spoke on behalf of the lawmakers, said the event of March 4, had continued to trample on the fundamental human rights of the abducted lawmakers and even those walking freely for now.
Omotoso, who gave a vivid detail of how the lawmaker representing Efon in the state House of Assembly was abducted by the officers of the Department of State Security Services (DSS), said their families are now living in danger, especially after the visit of the Senate committee on Tuesday.
According to Omotoso, “The Senate committee came to Ekiti yesterday (Tuesday) to ask us questions. We told them what they need to know and presented various evidences that the DSS actually came in a commando manner to our premises.
“Since they left, the pressure has doubled in geometric proportion. They started calling our members and harassing them on phones saying ‘we know where your family members are residing. We know the schools that your children attend.’ We are traumatised. We feel that our lives are not safe anymore.
“This is because they thought the subtle threat from the security is not enough to break our ranks. They brought about the issue of financial inducement so that we can succumb to their cheap bidding, they failed. They can see the way we are going that we are united and wholly behind democracy. They now resorted to subtle threat, intimidation, harassment, calling us on phone with private numbers to tell us that we are not safe and that they will move against our families.
“Today, my children are in my house, I didn’t allow them to go to school. I don’t want a situation where somebody will tell me my children are missing. Those that cannot really secure their houses very well have vacated their houses. Even the way they are going, the life of the governor is not safe.”
The Ekiti lawmakers that visited the Tribune house included Honourable Segun Adewumi (Deputy Speaker), Honourable Gboyega Aribisogun (Chairman, House Committee on Information), Honourable Samuel Omotoso (Chairman, House Committee on Health) and Honourable Dayo Akinleye (Deputy Chief Whip).
Others are Honourable Jeje Samuel Abiola (Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation), Honourable Omotoso Olayode (Chairman, House Committee on Culture), Honourable Omodara Benson Olaposi (Chairman, House Committee on Commerce and Industry), Honourable Fasanmi Temitope (Chairman, Public Account Committee), Honourable Akinniyi Sunday (Chief Whip), Honourable Bosede Dada (Chairman, Women Affairs), Honourable Pelemo Dare (Chairman, House Committee on Security) and Honourable Titilayo Owolabi Akerele (Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions).
Source and Image: Nigerian Tribune