Analysis: Let there be peace in Ekiti state

by Godwin Akanfe

The quiet and peaceful state of Ekiti which is dubbed the fountain of knowledge is quickly fading from our memories, as controversies in recent times have made a mockery of the state’s affairs.

Last week, in particular, recorded outbreaks of crisis and violence, which claimed the life of at least one person. In order to forestall a complete breakdown of law and order, armed policemen and soldiers took over flashpoints in the state.

The core of the crisis was linked to an attempt by the 19 sitting House of assembly members in the APC led by the speaker of the legislature Adewale Omirin, to impeach the governor Ayo Fayose on the grounds of impunity, violence and abuse of office amongst others. The 19 lawmakers who have been operating outside the state for some months now, resurfaced early last week with a list of eight impeachable offences against Governor Fayose.

Further twists were added to the whole scenario as members of the PDP allegedly led by the state’s deputy governor mobilised miscreants to block the two major roads leading to the state house of assembly as speculations that the lawmakers were returning to the house to proceed Governor Ayo Fayose’s impeachment.

This supposed action or inaction by the lawmakers gave rise to unrest in most parts of the states as angry residents sympathetic to the governor carried out anti impeachment demonstrations.

Also, last week, the lawmakers claimed to have met at Mary’s Hills Boys High school, Ado Ekiti, from where they purportedly wrote to the state Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, asking him to set up a panel to investigate the allegations contained in their impeachment notice to Fayose. However, the Chief Judge on his path denied having received letters of any sort.

The political situation in Ekiti State is gradually getting out of hand. It will be recalled that in the last seven months at least, events in the state have degenerated badly, with a near complete breakdown law and order.

For instance, in November 2014, barely one month after Fayose was sworn in, seven PDP legislators in a 26-member legislature where the APC had 19 members, claimed that they had impeached the Speaker, Hon. Adewale Omirin and his deputy. That action in itself was illegal, as the arithmetic of the purported impeachment of Omirin and his deputy by seven out of 26 legislators did not add up.

It is, indeed, curious how the wish of seven lawmakers could override that of 19 in a democratic dispensation. It is against the provision of Section 9(4) of the Constitution (as amended).

However, the present haste by the 19 APC legislators to impeach the governor is not tidy either, regardless of the fact that section 188 of the Constitution gives the legislature the latitude to determine or define what constitutes impeachable offence(s).

Apart from serving impeachment notice containing all the allegations raised, a committee is expected to be set up by the Chief justice of the state to probe the allegations while the accused is also given the opportunity to offer his own defence, it is only when the accused, in this case the governor is found guilty that he would now be impeached.

And in all fairness, due process haven’t been followed as the lawmakers have already declared him guilty and therefore must be impeached.

What is happening in Ekiti right now looks like an attempt to achieve an unnecessary balance of terror. But, the negative implication of the current situation in the state that prides itself as a fountain of knowledge is that the polity is being over-heated by political gladiators. The candid view is that this seeming rush to impeach Fayose is untidy.

So also, Fayose’s popularity amongst the Ekiti people has been established beyond doubt. After eight years out of power, he still defeated the incumbent governor in 16LGAs in the state.

That wasn’t even the first time as he had previously defeated the incumbent Niyi Adebayo in 2003 to become Governor. In the just concluded Presidential, National assembly and state assembly elections, he delivered the state’s votes to the party’s aspirants in all positions. It is thus clear that any attempt to remove Fayose would be opposed by the people who always gave him the mandate.

It is quite sad that Ekiti State has become a bad example of our democracy for some years now. No lessons of the state’s peculiar political history seem to have been learnt by its politicians.

One can also recall that in September last year, the sanctity of the courts in the state was desecrated when suspected political thugs invaded two high courts in the state capital and unleashed mayhem on judges, judiciary staff and other court users.

Indeed, two of the judges, Justices John Adeyeye and Ayodeji Daramola, were beaten up and their judicial robes torn into shreds. Also, the record book of the Chief Judge was mutilated.

We hope that the wheels of democracy be allowed to roll smoothly in Ekiti State. All the functionaries of the democratic process, including the state House of Assembly, should be allowed to function in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

It is advised that the 19 APC lawmakers to give peace a chance in the state and follow due process in the resolution of their grouses against the governor, the governor should to check his own excesses.

Both parties in this fray should avoid anything that could increase the tension in the state. Democracy can only be sustained through strict adherence to the rule of law, order, and unity of purpose and peaceful resolution of conflicts, not ill will and unfruitful resort to gangsterism. Let there be peace in Ekiti.

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