Posted by By TUNDE RAHEEM Ado- Ekiti on
The political logjam in Ekiti State on Tuesday took a new twist as the impeached deputy governor Mrs Abiodun Olujimi resumed in her office, claiming she was still the deputy governor
The political logjam in Ekiti State on Tuesday took a new twist as the impeached deputy governor Mrs Abiodun Olujimi resumed in her office, claiming she was still the deputy governor
Defiant Olujimi, who arrived at the old governor's office at about 9am with heavy security men urged the people of the state to remain calm and watch events unfold.
But in a swift reaction, the acting governor, Mr Friday Aderemi described the action of the deputy governor as illegal.
The acting governor who equally described Olujimi's action as unconstitutional argued that since she had taken the matter to court, she should have waited for the verdict of the court.
On likely state of emergency, Aderemi said that the political situation in the state had not degenerated to that level.
Olujimi, while speaking with pressmen few minutes after she got to her office, stated that the House could not stampede her out of office, adding that she resumed to hold fort for Governor Fayose who she claimed was on leave.
She described the decision of the lawmakers as unfortunate, and not in the interest of the nation's democracy
"We have been witnessing crisis in Ekiti State. The crisis started when the Assembly members sat and took certain decisions which were capable of tearing the whole state apart" she said.
She described the action of the House as null, void and unconstitutional saying: "We are taking it from this angle, telling you that we are back to the status quo, that is am back as deputy governor. I appeal to the people to remain calm and watch the event as they unfold, because PDP is one big family, what is happening is unfortunate and it is another opportunity given to resolve all issues politically, amicably and of course legally.
Olujimi called on lawmakers to put sentiments and individual interest aside and embrace peace so as to move the state forward.
She stated that all avenues would be exploited to ensure that all grievances were resolved with all the parties involved in the political logjam.
Also, the state House of Assembly on Tuesday in twenty minutes emergency sitting held and presided over by the protem speaker Hon. Sule Longe removed Justice Kayode Bamisile as the state chief judge.
Moving the motion, Hon. Kayode Babade said that the House had found the chief judge guilty of allegations of corruption and abuse of office, and his refusal to appear before the House when he was summoned by the lawmakers for appointing people of questionable characters to the panel he set up to investigate the allegation of financial indiscipline and abuse of office leveled against the impeached governor.
He therefore moved a motion that the CJ be relieved of his post and the motion was seconded by Hon. Bunmi Olugbade. The motion was adopted by the 20 lawmakers present at the emergency sitting.
The House later adjourned sitting till Tuesday next week when the substantive Speaker and other key officers would be nominated and ratified by the lawmakers.