GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, on Tuesday, made his first public appearance since last Saturday’s governorship election amid cheers from Ado Ekiti public as he paid the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, a visit.
Governor Fayose, who had to trek to the palace from Bisi Market “Oja Bisi” when the crowd became too heavy for driving, said he was at the palace to formally report to Oba Adejugbe “as the paramount ruler of Ado Ekiti, the state capital, that the Government House was invaded by the police.”
He said: “I have come to officially tell you, sir, as the Paramount Ruler of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, that the Government House was invaded by the police.
“Over 400 of our members are being detained as we speak now. After the poll on Saturday, my wife was prevented from entering the Government House for about 45 minutes.
“Since last Wednesday, security agents had laid siege to the Government House, and are subjecting people to untold hardship coming in or going out.
“The poll has come and gone irrespective of what we went through. The constitution says I am still the governor till October 16 this year. Our state radio and television stations have been shut down. And there has been no means of getting across to our people.
“It was only this morning that security agents at the entrance of the Government House were withdrawn. Even if we have been robbed, I still have a right to life and my family has a right to life too.
“Harassing me is not in the interest of democracy. People must intervene before things go out of hand. I don’t know why we should be in this situation in 2018.”
Responding, Oba Adejugbe expressed gratitude to God that no one died during the poll, saying “as if we knew, monarchs arranged many meetings before the election and pleaded with everybody that before, during and after the poll, we don’t want any trouble.”
Oba Adejugbe added that “we said then that whoever wins, there should be no problem. The way I see you, I know something is happening.”
He said: “I will convey your message to the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, who is the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and we spoke this morning and we were worried about your whereabouts.
“I appeal to security agencies that they should restore your personnel to you as the sitting governor. As Ekiti leaders, we will intervene. You, Fayemi and Eleka are our sons. Peace must be allowed to reign. We need peace in our state,” he said. (Nigerian Tribune)
