Posted by From Ifedayo Sayo, Ado-Ekiti on
THE political disagreement between Ado-Ekiti council boss Mr. Taye Fasubaa and the Governor, Ayodele Fayose, took another dimension yesterday with the removal of Fasubaa and his deputy, Alhaja Sidikat Gidado, from office.
THE political disagreement between Ado-Ekiti council boss Mr. Taye Fasubaa and the Governor, Ayodele Fayose, took another dimension yesterday with the removal of Fasubaa and his deputy, Alhaja Sidikat Gidado, from office.
Fayose, who immediately swore in Mr. Oluwole Lamidi Badmus as the chairman of a caretaker committee to administer the council, alleged financial recklessness and administrative incompetence.
In removing Fasubaa, the governor said he was relying on Section 23 of State Local Government Law 1999 as amended which empowers him to remove any council boss based on malpractice committed by them.
But Fasubaa told reporters that he was removed because of what he told the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC ) on the spendings of council funds by the state government, especially on the poultry project.
He said: "I told the whole truth".
Earlier yesterday, tension had gripped Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital over the plan to suspend Fasubaa.
No sooner had the news that the State House of Assembly would be meeting yesterday morning to consider the suspension of Fasubba gone round the town than his supporters trooped to the palace of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, to protest the planned suspension.
Also, the state Police Command deployed policemen to strategic areas in the town including the state assembly complex, Ado-Ekiti Local Government secretariat and state secretariat to forestall possible breakdown of law and order.
Though, members of the crowd at the palace were later prevailed upon to go back to their houses by the Ewi-in-Council on the ground that efforts would be taken to resolve the matter, it was gathered that the people were spoiling for a show-down.
The relationship between Fayose and Fasubaa had been anything but good as both always go different ways on matters concerning local government administration and the state.
The situation got to its peak last Tuesday when the Fayose openly accused Fasubaa of performing below expectation.
Fayose had lauded the remaining 15 council bosses of doing him proud by living up to his expectation, saying his numerous achievements in the state prevented the people from not knowing the truth that Fasubaa had not performed to expectation.
But Fasubaa said the governor was economical with the truth pointing out that Fayose was not properly placed to assess him.
He maintained that Fayose could only talk about his council of origin, saying he remained the toast of the people of Ado-Ekiti despite the unfavourable comment from Fayose.
Fasubaa who was billed to appear before the House of Assembly yesterday to defend himself on allegations made against him wrote to the Assembly through his lawyer, Mr Ray Anyanwu that he would not appear due to ill-health.