The 19 lawmakers elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in the Ekiti State House of Assembly has written to the state Chief Judge. Justice Ayodeji Daramola, asking him to set up a panel to investigate allegations raised in the impeachment notice to Governor Ayodele Fayose.
However, the governor has raised the alarm that the House was on recession adding that there was nowhere the House sat to deliberate on issues.
But at a special sitting held at Mary Hills Boys High School, Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, the lawmakers said they relied on Section 101 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which empowers the Assembly to regulate their sittings, including sitting in a public building within the state capital, if conditions exist in the hallowed chamber that endanger members’ lives.
The Majority Leader, Churchill Adedipe of Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency 1, explained that the sitting ought to have taken place in the hallowed chamber on April 7, 2015 but members were waylaid by thugs who mounted roadblock, threatening their lives with dangerous weapons, thereby making them to abandon going to the Assembly.
Relying on Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Adedipe moved the motion empowering the Chief Judge to set up the panel.
His motion was seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Adetunji Orisalade, representing Ido/Osi Constituency 2.
After debates, the lawmakers, in a unanimous vote, supported the motion directing the chief judge to set up the panel.
The House adjourned to the next legislative day.
The seven-man penal to be constituted by the Chief Judge within seven days of receipt of the letter is to investigate Governor Ayodele Fayose and Deputy Governor Oluosla Kolapo Eleka over allegations of gross misconduct raised in their impeachment notice.
The Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin, presided over the sitting.
However, Fayose has alleged foul play.
In a statement by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, the embattled governor stated that the House of Assembly was on recess.
Olayinka called for a disregard of the information being circulated by the APC that their lawmakers are sitting somewhere in Ado Ekiti.
“Of course, members of the House of Assembly can gather anywhere in the world to have SOCIAL or POLITICAL MEETINGS.
“Parliamentary business is done in the hallowed chamber of the House of Assembly.
“Besides, Dr Adewale Omirin, who claimed to be the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly was impeached on November 20, 2014 and he is in court, challenging his impeachment,” the statement said.
