Ekiti handover: PDP, APC on a collision course

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti state are accusing each other of actions capable of derailing peace ahead of the October 16 swearing-in of Ayodele Fayose as governor of the state.

While PDP petitioned Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)), Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, “over alleged plots of the state chief judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, to terminate the inauguration of the governor-elect”, APC accused PDP of “planning another fresh insurrection in the state, with the aim of intimidating everyone into submission towards the October 16 handover to the PDP candidate”.

A PDP petition titled ‘Another judicial coup plotted to avert the swearing-in of the governor-elect of Ekiti state’ signed by the state secretary, Dr Tope Aluko, and the publicity secretary, Pastor Kola Oluwawole named Governor Fayemi and Justice Daramola as those behind the plot to scuttle Fayose’s inauguration.

“It has it on good authority that plans are on by Justice Daramola and Governor Fayemi to give accelerated hearing to some suits challenging the eligibility of Fayose for the June 21 governorship election despite the notice of appeal and the stay of proceedings filed in respect of the suits,” the PDP said.

“My Lord, on September 28, 2014, the governor-elect of Ekiti state personally wrote a letter to you, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, raising fears about the attempts of the Chief Judge of Ekiti state to frustrate the swearing-in of the governor-elect of Ekiti state produced by our party.

“This was done in view of Section 185 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which empowers only the Chief Judge of Ekiti state to swear in the governor-elect as the new governor of the state, as Ekiti state presently has no Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal, or President of the Customary Court of Appeal that can perform similar function, in case the Chief Judge declined to do so.”

Similarly, APC’s state publicity secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, issued a statement alleging that in fear of the legal hurdle to be crossed by its candidate before he could be sworn in as governor on October 16, PDP is “now mobilising for a showdown against the innocent people for another showdown against both the government and the judiciary in the state”.

APC claimed to have its facts that beginning from Wednesday October 8, 2014, Fayose and the PDP leadership would take to the streets again to foment trouble, using some thugs brought in from the neighboring state and Ibadan.

“The plan was hatched in a meeting held at the Spotless Hotel belonging to the governor-elect. Barring a last minute change of heart, they will start another round of protest and attacks on opposition leaders in the state capital to prevent the Judiciary of smooth dispensation of the cases before it following the resolution of NJC,” a part of the statement read.

“This clandestine and anti-democratic move is actually showing that Fayose is above the law. There are provisions in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria that qualifies one to vote and be voted for. The issue of election is not complete until the election Tribunal dispenses all the cases or petitions emanating from such election or electoral process.

“We remain unperturbed by the threat. Our only worry is that their usual resorting to causing mayhem in the bid to take over the state by force and by fire is giving the entire state a bad name. We may be heading for another season of one week, one trouble.

“We have it on good authority that anytime from now, Fayose and his PDP goons would start causing civil unrest in our state. We have it on good authority that they have been importing new set of thugs into the state to harass innocent people. We have it on good authority that they have been inciting some people to start protesting against the system.

“If indeed Fayose is duly elected and has the legitimate right to the position, why is he afraid of crossing the legal hurdles as required by the statute. Why thus he want to ride on the back of chaos to the seat of government.”

APC warned citizens of the state to allow things to be done legally and orderly., saying that even Fayose should realise that whatever action he is taking today will become a sword in the hands of his perceived followers tomorrow when they are tired of his usual high-handedness.

“The earlier he follows the path of honour to power, the better,” he said.

“On our part, we will continue to follow the peaceful legal path. We will not join PDP in the forceful acquisition of power, but would rather allow legality to decide what is right or wrong. No one can build legality on illegality. If they have nothing to hide, they should go through the legal hurdles and come out clean. Then and only then can they reign in peace.”

APC also urged security agencies saddled with the responsibility of ensuring peaceful reign in the state “to be vigilant and beam their searchlights on the those beating the drums of war” because “today’s action is tomorrow’s history”.