Again, anti-Fayose protesters troop to the streets

Protesters are currently on the streets of Ado-Ekiti, capital of Ekiti state, demanding the resignation of Ayodele Fayose, governor of the state.

The aggrieved residents, who are chanting anti-government songs, asked the governor to step down immediately.

The demonstrators comprise members of the All Progressives Congress, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and other groups.

Addressing the aggrieved citizens, Kemi Olaleye, chairperson of the APC in Ekiti, alleged that the governor has been using his immunity to engage in illicit act.

She challenged Fayose to waive his immuntiy, asking anti-graft agencies to go after the governor.

Also speaking, Tunji Ogunlola, CNPP state chairman, asked Fayose to face prosecution over alleged involvement in a N4.7 billion arms deal.

He appealed to the federal government not to pay the bailout meant for the workers to Fayose.

“On the issue of the Ekiti state house of assembly, we ask the 17 members alleged to have falsified their certificates to also submit themselves for prosecution,” he said.

“It is very unfortunate that their primary roles have been abandoned for Fayose’s defence.

“We also plead with the federal government not to release bailout fund for payment of salaries to Gov Fayose again.

“We advise that the federal ministry of finance should rather pay directly into workers’ accounts.

“This is because we have lost confidence in the government; we want the previous N9.6billion bailout given the state to be probed.

“We want to commend the inspector-general of police, Ibrahim Idris, and director-general of the DSS, Lawal Daura, for probing alleged political thuggery levelled against the PDP government in Ekiti.

“We also want a special force to be deployed to Ekiti to maintain peace because our lives are no longer safe.

“We pass confidence vote in President Buhari for fighting corruption and for all his developmental programmes.’’

This is the second time in two weeks that residents of Ado-Ekiti will witness such development.

On June 24, protesters led by Omotunde Fajuyi, an activist, accused the governor of enriching himself at their expense.

Back then, Lere Olayinka, spokesman of the governor, had described the protesters as “remnants of the All Progressives Congress in the state”.

In a move to counter the anti-Fayose protesters, students took to the streets in solidarity with the governor last week.

They accused the federal government of victimising Fayose and key figures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Fayose has been in the news lately over the freezing of his account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).