The Ekiti state chapter of the All Progressives Congress and the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and other anti-Fayose groups yesterday trooped to the streets of Ado Ekiti in protest
against alleged looting of the state’s commonwealth by Governor Ayodele Fayose.
The Coalition commended the action of the Economic and Financial Crimes(EFCC) for freezing accounts belonging and operated by Fayose which allegedly contain N1.2 billion slush fund
from the office of the National Security Adviser(NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki to fund the governor’s campaign in 2014.
Large retinue of policemen and men of the Department of State Security were deployed to provide cover for the mammoth crowd that attended the rally.
The placard-carrying protesters which comprise party leaders, students, youth groups, artisans and other like-minded individuals , marched from Fajuyi park through Okeyinmi and stopped at Ijigbo area where they were addressed by leaders of each group.
In what seems like a general consensus, the protesters passed confidence vote in the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and his anti-corruption war, challenging the EFCC to dig deep into the
finances of the State and prosecute whoever was indicted in the looting of the state’s treasury.
They chanted anti-Fayose’s songs to deride the way the governor had allegedly be looting the state, especially his alleged indictment in the N1.2 billion arms fund, alleged collection of kickbacks from
contractors handling various projects in the state to buy multibillion naira property in Lagos , among others.
The APC Acting Chairman in the state, Mrs Kemi Olaleye, expressed regret about how the immunity conferred on Governor Fayose in line with section 308 of the constitution, had been impeding his
prosecution for alleged embezzlement of funds.
“We are tired of immunity clause. Immunity has become impunity in Ekiti. We condemn Governor Fayose’s corrupt tendencies .Things must change. The EFCC must do its job and ensure that looters of Ekiti are brought to justice,”she said.
A statement presented by the CNPP Chairman in the state, Mr Tunji Ogunlola , challenged Fayose to waive his immunity and face prosecution over alleged involvement in N4.7 billion arms deal alongside former Minister of State for Defence , Musiliu Obanikoro and PDP Governorship
candidate in Osun State in the last poll, Mr Iyiola Omisore.
“On the issue of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, we ask the 17 members alleged to have falsified their certificates to submit themselves for prosecution. 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 for payment of salary to Governor Fayose. The Federal Ministry of Finance should pay into workers’ accounts directly, because we have lost confidence in the government. The previous N9.6b bailout should be
probed.
“We want to commend the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris and Director General of the DSS, Mr Lawal Daura for probing alleged political thuggery leveled against PDP government in Ekiti.
“We also want a special force be deployed to Ekiti to maintain peace in Ekiti State because our lives are no longer save .
“We pass confidence vote in President Buhari for fighting corruption and for all his developmental programmes”, he said.
A students’ representative, Com. Samuel Olaoluwa , commended the anti-graft agency for coming up with a comprehensive data of how Fayose allegedly looted Ekiti, saying nothing must be spared to ensure that all the monies are recovered and culprits prosecuted for Ekiti to move
forward.
“We must join the EFCC in the battle against graft. We should stop politicizing issues of graft because it affects every facet of the country. We must stop this act of impunity and return Ekiti to the
path of honour, glory and sanity”, he said.
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