This Newspaper urges Fayose and the other warring parties to sheath their swords and explore the option of dialogue in the resolution of their political differences so as to move Ekiti forward
The emerging political situation in Ekiti State is, indeed, disheartening and an unfortunate development, which needs to be urgently addressed for the sake of our nascent democracy.
As a matter of fact, Ekiti State has been one of those states whose political landscape has been marred by incessant political impasse. Recalled that in 2006, former President Olusegun Obasanjo slammed a state of emergency on the State, following a prolonged political crisis due to impeachment of the then state governor Ayo Fayose who incidentally is now the incumbent governor.
It is saddening that there seem to be, currently, a reinvention of that incident as the state House of Assembly has been in a chaotic mood after Ayo Fayose became the governor. This development stemmed from a seeming standoff in the Ekiti State legislature between 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) and the other 7 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members. It was alleged that the PDP caucus removed Adewale Omirin of the APC as the speaker and installed Dele Olugbemi in his stead. This development had created difficult political conundrum in the state as the House’s legislative proceeding has ever since been boycotted by the APC members.
With the emergence of an APC President-elect in the person of Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, the APC members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly seem to be reenergized to fight their cause as Omirin insists he is the bonafide speaker of the House. What is more, they are reported to be plotting the impeachment of the state governor, Ayo Fayose. This development is obviously creating a political logjam, which may not augur well in the interest of Ekiti state polity and its people. Already there are reports of blockade of all roads to the State capital, Ado-Ekiti, the killing of one person and the escape of journalists from death. Confirmed or otherwise, these incidents are regrettable.
We believe that this is uncalled for and inimical to the peace and progress of the state and, indeed, the entire country. In fact, Nigeria’s politics is gradually growing beyond such convoluted power play. It is even more worrisome that, at a time, when the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections were adjudged free, fair and credible both at home and internationally; and Nigerians are still basking in the euphoria of the successful polls, even as President Goodluck Jonathan has shown an unprecedented political maturity ensuring that the peace and stability of the country is not jeopardized, events in Ekiti State politics seem to be hanging on the precipice.
This Newspaper therefore urges Fayose and the other warring parties to sheath their swords and explore the option of dialogue in the resolution of their political differences so as to move Ekiti forward. It is our expectation that democratic tenets and the rule of law would prevail in the state.
