Posted by By TUNDE RAHIM and BOLU-OLU ESHO, Ado-Ekiti on
Economic and social activities on Tuesday came to standstill as former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, stormed Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, in a triumphant return after a year of self-exile.
• I've returned to clear my name, he says
Economic and social activities on Tuesday came to standstill as former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, stormed Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, in a triumphant return after a year of self-exile.
The former governor arrived the capital city at 9.00am, amid tight security by riot policemen and State Security Service operatives.
Fayose, who entered the city through Iyin-Ekiti, was welcomed by a large crowd, as commercial operators, commercial motorcyclists, market women and civil servants from the state secretariat abandoned their offices and businesses to welcome him.
Standing in an open roof car, Fayose addressed the people at different points in the city, on the past and present political situations in the state. He said he's still a bonafide member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
While speaking on the election tribunal holding in the state, Fayose, who was dressed in a military khaki shirt and trousers, with a green fez cap, said that whoever would do the will of the people would win at the tribunal. He comically waved a bunch of broom, which is the symbol of Action Congress, to a jubilating crowd at the post office area of the city.
As his convoy got to Okesi area of the city, which is a few meters away to the governor's office, Hon. Femi Bamisile, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly during Fayose's administration, made frantic efforts to speak to Fayose, a move that was rebuffed by members of Oduaa Peoples Congress (OPC), who were protecting him. Spotting him in the crowd, Fayose, however, signalled to the OPC men to allow him and they had tete-a tete
The state Police Commissioner, Yomi Onasile, however, made good his promise to protect Fayose as several fully armed mobile policemen guarded him among other security operatives.
In his speech, Fayose said:" My return is to live my life like every other citizen and to clear my name of all alleged wrong doings.
'I sincerely share in your pain as a people, especially after my exit, which, for a long time, remained a mystery to you and many others. I was made to suffer for what I knew nothing about. Rather than being honoured., I was humiliated; rather than being promoted, I was persecuted. The Youruba adage says Olooto ilu ni ika ilu (the faithful are regarded as the wicked). For the avoidance of doubt and for the information of my numerous political supporters and admirers, I wish to state that I am a member of Peoples Democratic Party, Ekiti State chapter, which I joined to nurse to maturity and relevance today. Unfortunately, most of these people are already sidelined."
He, however, thanked the people, who defied the heavy downpour, for supporting his government while it lasted, especially during his travails.
The Chairman of Campaign Organization for AC, Yemi Adaramodu, who spoke on behalf of Kayode Fayemi, AC governorship candidate in the state, described Fayose as a true citizen of the state, who should feel free to return home. He said that the people, who said Fayose was a security risk, are afraid of him.
In the state government's reaction to Fayose's return, the Attorney General of the state, Gbenga Oyewole, said: 'His (Fayose) coming is a welcome development and he's a free born of the state. I wish to state that we are aware that the EFCC and other security agents are looking for him and necessary step should be taken to have him appear for interrogation.
'As a government, we expect that having taken the bold step of coming to the state, he would also be courageous to turn himself in and answer charges against him. We believe in the rule of law and will not allow anyone to take the law into his hands.
'We expect him to be courageous enough to answer the allegation. They still remain allegations until he has been tried before the law court.
'His counsel wrote on Monday trying to mislead the people that the order preventing his arrest is still subsisting, but the order was actually discharged on Monday."