Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has agreed to make concessions to ensure the resolution of the power struggle between him and the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers.
Fayose said “if not for experience he had garnered as a second-time governor, his government would have become a history.”
The governor made the remarks on Thursday at a peace meeting brokered by Ekiti elders led by eminent lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola.
He also accused the media of stoking the fire of crisis rocking the state, saying Ekiti does not deserve the uncomplimentary headlines being cast on the impeachment saga.
The meeting which held at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), was shunned by the APC lawmakers led by Speaker Adewale Omirin who alleged plots to arrest them and keep them out of circulation until the end of their tenure in the first week of June.
Four of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers led by factional Speaker Dele Olugbemi attended the peace meeting.
Other elders who joined Babalola on the high table include Chairman, Standing Committee, Ekiti 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 peace 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)
Fayose said the experience of his ouster from office in 2006 was brought to bear in “protecting the mandate given to him by the electorates “saying his calling for peace to resolve the raging crisis was not out of cowardice but to show the character of a leader.”
While acknowledging appeals from well-meaning personalities urging him to see himself as the father of the state and ensure the resolution of the crisis, Fayose said he won’t look on and allow the opposition to rob him of the mandate of the people.
Fayose said: “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, the PDP government could have become a history. The difference between the last time and now is the experience I have to navigate through the crisis.
“The last time, they came and took off my neck, should I look on for them to cut my head again? No.” -The Nation.
