The Ekiti State House of Assembly on Tuesday said the federal government’s attempt to use the report of the indictment of some military officers who participated in the conduct of the last governorship election in the state to impeach the state Governor, Ayodele Fayose, would be resisted by the Ekiti people.
The assembly, which hurriedly cut short its recess would have ended on January 25 for the special plenary presided over by the Speaker, Hon Kola Oluwawole, accused the federal government of plotting to resort to extra-judicial means if the military panel fails to achieve its set target.
“We are aware of the plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government to intimidate, muzzle and kill the voice of the opposition most especially Governor Fayose because of his position on national issues,” it stated.
The assembly, which passed a vote of confidence on Fayose over his contributions to national politics and criticism of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, accused the military of bias, for restricting its findings to Ekiti State and exonerating officers who participated in Osun and Edo States polls.
The lawmakers who spoke at the sitting were Hon Oluwawole, Deputy Speaker; Hon Segun Adewumi, Chairman , House Committee on Information; Hon Gboyega Aribisogan, Hon Samuel Omotoso, Hon Dayo Akinleye, Hon Bosede Dada, Hon Dele Fajemilehin among others.
Eight resolutions were later passed at the end of the sitting which expressly pointed at the fact that the assembly was aware of the alleged effort to ignite constitutional crisis in the state and forcefully take over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led state government.
The speaker in a speech presented by Aribisogan on his behalf at a press conference after the session, said the constitution of the Major Gen Adeniyi Oyebade military tribunal was an affront on the Supreme Court of Nigeria which had earlier adjudged the June 21 governorship poll as credible and transparent.
“It is a well known fact and on records that the June 21 election was adjudged to be free, fair and credible by both local and international observers. It is also a statement of fact that all security agencies including the military that monitored the election were commended by observers.
“It is now curious to find out that the institution which was applauded and commended for its good conduct and professionalism is now being indicted by its own men,” he said.
Omotoso, who likened attempt to forcefully take over the state from the PDP by the federal government under the guise of the military panel to that of attempt by Adolf Hitler to rule the world, said: “Fayose as an official voice of the opposition won’t be cowed by any force.
“Fayose had earlier prophesied that there will be increase in electricity tariff, disrespect for human dignity and rights, loss of lives in Bayelsa State governorship polls, removal of subsidy and all these had come to pass under Buhari-led government.”
The deputy speaker called on the human rights activists and the international community to call the federal government to order and urged President Buhari to behave like a true democrat, rather than posing like a dictator.