A fresh crisis is brewing between Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, and the 19 All Progressives Congress lawmakers, following fears that the lawmakers may forcefully regain entrance into the State House of Assembly and commence legislative business on Monday.
The lawmakers, emboldened by the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as President, threatened to resume sitting, prompting panic within government circles in the state.
People close to the two camps told PREMIUM TIMES the lawmakers planned to gain access to the house on Monday, and then make the impeachment of the governor their main business of the day.
Although security agencies had since sealed the Assembly complex, residents say trucks-full of security operatives were were Monday drafted around the building, with some mounting checks at strategic places in the tension-soaked state capital.
There are also reports that supporters of Governor Fayose have blocked some major entry point to the state – including the Iitawure-Efon-Ado Road – to stop the APC lawmakers and their supporters from gaining access to the state capital.
There were also claims that some thugs, believed to have sympathy for Mr. Fayose, invaded the residence of Senator Babafemi Ojudu (APC- Ekiti Central), Sunday night, threatening to burn the place down.
A resident who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES the movement of security personnel around the city portends danger to the fragile peace within the city.
Governor Fayose had earlier promised to pay all the entitlements of the lawmakers up to date, debunking claims by the lawmakers that they were still being owed by the administration.
The Chief Press Secretary to Fayose, Idowu Adelusi, told PREMIUM TIMES Monday that the security men deployed around the Assembly complex were drafted to enforce a court order barring the APC lawmakers from carrying out any impeachment.
“There is a subsisting court order which says status quo should be maintained and that court order has not been vacated,” Mr. Adelusi said.
“It is the duty of security operatives to ensure law and order and that is what they are doing. ”
Although the lawmakers were yet to make good their threat at the time of filing this report, Mr. Adelusi said “the people” were prepared to protect the government they enthroned.
“We hear that they are coming to impeach the governor, but the people that voted him into office say they are waiting for then, ” he said.
The spokesperson of the Ekiti state Police Command could not be reached for comments at this time..Premium Times
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