Press Release: EKITI ASSEMBLYMEN ARE POLITICAL TERRORISTS 19th October 2006

The recent upheaval in Ekiti State in which the state governor, Ayo Fayose and his Deputy, Mrs Olujimi were ‘impeached’ is most disturbing. The event is nothing less than an extra-parliamentary hocus-pocus. It is not only tragic but preposterous, ridiculous and alarming. The lawmakers have capitalized on a loose democratic license to unleash political terrorism on the rest of Nigerians.

There is substantial proof of greed for power and over-ambition in the actions of the lawmakers. Nigerians must realize that this is not only an assault on the highest democratic institution in the state, but an unprovoked aggression on the fundamental principles of liberty, equality and the rule of law. Ekiti lawmakers have clownishly set aside the voters’ mandate by sheer parliamentary abracadabra. It is the most potent threat to our nascent democracy in recent times.

We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) take special note of a statement made by the Majority Leader of the Ekiti Assembly on AIT a few days to the shameful act to the effect that the ousted governor had stinted the Assembly of funds for trips and that impeachment was necessary to ensure unrestricted access to funds! MURIC condemns the latest development as reckless, ill-advised and colourless.

We commend the governors’ circle for rejecting the duo of the former speaker and deputy speaker now masquerading as Acting Governor and Deputy governor respectively. Nigerians must treat both of them as political parasites out to suck the state treasury to the last kobo.

While we do not object to investigating allegations of financial recklessness made against Ayo Fayose, MURIC insists on due process. We therefore reject the purported impeachment which of course was badly executed by the political clowns in Ekiti House of Assembly.

We call on President Obasanjo to stop the madness in Ekiti State. We warn that the trend is capable of spreading to other places unless sanity is quickly restored. Obasanjo must take note of the pronouncements of the Chief Justice of the Federation and that of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General affirming the unconstitutionality of the lawmakers’ action. The Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces must therefore move swiftly to save Ekiti State from over-ambitious lawmakers.

MURIC charges Mr. President to withhold funds meant for Ekiti from the Federation account until the Assembly becomes sane. Neither the Acting Governor nor his deputy should be allowed to attend important state functions in Abuja until they relinquish those stolen posts. They are bad examples in leadership.

Dr. Is-haq Akintola
DIRECTOR