The Future of Ekiti: Will it be brickbats and battles?
By Dapo Akinrefon, Charles Kumolu and Gbenga Oke
The unfolding troubles in Ekiti State were long predicted. The state had between 2003 and 2007 earned for itself the sobriquet of being a theatre of Ekiti politically absurd has again reclaimed its slot in the ranks of the politically odious.
After EKITI, in no other state in the country has it beenheard that thugs twice within one week unleashed fury on judges, one of whom was stripped of his judicial apparel and human dignity.
As before, the contention at the moment borders on clash of interests between opposing political parties and personalities.
File: Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti (l) and Governor-Elect, Mr Ayo Fayose, during Fayose’s visit to the Governor in Ado-Ekiti on Monday
This recurrence of what has become a familiar pattern of political warfare, has raised concerns on what the future holds for Ekiti.
Given that the governor-elect of the state, Mr Ayo Fayose—a man whose first tenure as governor was dogged by controversies- overwhelmingly defeated the incumbent, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, most analysts believe that the unfolding drama was bound to happen.
But only few would have expected it this early.
Notwithstanding, there is uneasiness across the country, regarding the sad tales emanating from a state that had recently witnessed one of the most remarkably peaceful elections in the country.
The crux of the current crisis is primarily connected to a case instituted against the eligibility of Fayose to contest the governorship election.
This matter which was championed by a member of a pressure group, the Ekiti-11 and the Citizens Peoples Party, CPP, had before the election, been a subject of debate among analysts; to wit the eligibility of Fayose who was impeached as governor in 2006 to contest the election.
Since the issue has claimed its first high profile casualty, leading to tension across the 18 local councils, there are worries that the state has commenced a descent to avoidable anarchy.
But the secretary of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Tope Aluko, dismissed such fears.
Aluko in an exclusive chat withVanguard, picked holes in the assertion that the state would be thrown back to the days of yore.
Crisis not about Fayose — Aluko, PDP scribe
Rising in Fayose’s defence, Aluko explained that “Ekiti people are known for not cheating others. They are known for integrity and because of the problem we had initially, where a lot of games were played and at the end, the mandate was taken away from him (Fayose) some people assumed spiritually that that is the reason Ekiti State has been going through a lot. But the coming back of Fayose is like righting the wrongs and yes, some people are afraid that his coming back will bring all sorts of things.
These are people that were involved in his removal then. But from what he (Fayose) has been telling people, he said he is a changed person and it is God that brought him back.”
Accordingly, he said “as far as I am concerned, Fayose will not be vindictive, he is not going to take revenge. He has promised everybody and I want to assume from what he is saying that he is not going to be vindictive.
‘’The other aspect is that people assume that all sorts of things will happen when he returns but I want to say that this is a man that has done it before. He is more experienced than anybody.
If you look at his comeback, you will know that it is divine and given the spiritual Fayose that I know, I am sure that he came back because of the marvellous job that he did and that is why the people of Ekiti voted for him. What happened last week was a reaction to what happened eight years ago. So, it is not about Fayose.”
Fayose’s coming portends danger to Ekiti — Awe, Ekiti APC boss
On the other hand, the state APC chairman, Chief Jide Awe expressed pessimism over the peace of the state under Mr Fayose.
Awe said “We have experienced (this) under Fayose for almost three and half years, during his first coming. The only thing I can say and from what has happened already is that his coming portends danger to Ekiti State.
With what he did last week, if we are going to premise our future on what happened last week, you will know that the judiciary is the only sacred temple of justice that exists all over the world.
“Even Jesus Christ in his days, humbled himself before Pontius Pilate. How can a man, in the 21st Century invade the temple of justice? Under such leader and administration, how do you think any good thing will come out? That was a beastly behaviour for an ordinary person, not to talk about someone who wants to lead Ekiti State.
“He has demonstrated to us that he has no respect for anybody and we are going back to the days of yore when human lives meant nothing.”
Another person, who shares Awe’s sentiment is former governor of Kwara State, Senator. Bukola Saraki.
The lawmaker particularly cautioned that the trouble in Ekiti, should not be treated with partisan approach.
As far as he is concerned, the development should be seen as an affront on the independence of the judiciary.
Partisan approach should be avoided — Saraki
He asserts that “the Presidency has not deemed it fit to act on the development in Ekiti State, a situation that has further confirmed that the leadership of this country has failed.”
Senator Saraki maintained that if the symbol of a common man which is the Court can be diminished and degraded, then the leadership of this country has failed us all because the current security situation in Ekiti State is a big threat to our nascent democracy, political stability and judicial independence and above all, it is an affront to our peaceful co-existence in our immediate environment”.
‘’I am personally worried and concerned as a Nigerian and as a stakeholder in the Nigerian polity. Whether the Ekiti State crisis is APC or PDP driven or whether it is as a result of an act of commission or omission and whether it is government, group of people or individually driven, I must say without any ambiguity that what has happened in Ekiti State in the last few weeks is totally unacceptable and should be dealt with immediately and decisively too.’’
“A situation where the independence of our judiciary and its institutions and office of our respected judicial officials are no more secured and safe to discharge their constitutional responsibility and professional roles, it is a signal that anarchy is about to set in to our polity and it is unfortunate that at a time when we as a Nation are battling high rate of insecurity and insurgency across the country such assault is being unleashed on a Judge of a High Court on official duty”.
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