Posted by By TUNDE RAHEEM, Ado-Ekiti on
The whereabouts of embattled Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, were uncertain on Sunday night, ahead of his planned impeachment by members of the State, House of Assembly today.
The whereabouts of embattled Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, were uncertain on Sunday night, ahead of his planned impeachment by members of the State, House of Assembly today.
A parallel seven-man investigative panel, charged with probing the governor and his deputy, Mrs Abiodun Olujimi, over official misdemeanour and large-scale fraud, following the rejection of an earlier one constituted by the State Chief Judge, Justice Kayode Bamisile, is due to submit, today, its report to the House, which may take action on the committee's findings.
The committee had held a two-day public sitting over the weekend, during which Fayose's contractor-friend, Gbenga James, who handled the controversial Ekiti State poultry project, reportedly testified against him.
There are fears that Governor Fayose may have fled the state to avoid his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the event of his eventual removal from office.
Daily Sun learnt that the governor left his official residence for an unknown destination in the early hours of Sunday. The Government House, his official residence, was under lock and key when Daily Sun visited on Sunday.
Fayose's Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, in a text message to media houses, however, said that the governor had not fled.
'Fayose," he wrote, 'is in the state. There is no cause for him to run away. Why? He cannot. The issue in Ekiti borders on legality versus illegality. It is no longer Fayose. If we allow illegality to prevail, goodluck to Nigeria. Don't weep for Fayose, weep for Nigeria. Indeed, Fayose will come out victorious. Its just a price he is paying for evolving a pattern of governance. The elite, through the Ekiti legislators, may crucify Fayose today, posterity will judge him right. Let it be known that Fayose isn't moved or rattled. Our God will fight this battle to the end," he said.
Meanwhile, tension was at its peak in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital on Sunday following the deployment of security personnel, including soldiers and anti-riot policemen, into the town. Indeed, soldiers and policemen are positioned at strategic places within the town apparently to forestall public protests, which may erupt from the outcome of today's sitting by the legislators.
Two armoured tanks are stationed at the State's House of Assembly and Trade Fair complexes, while stern-looking mobile policemen and soldiers had taken over the governor's office.