Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has “shifted ground” to ensure the resolution of the tussle between him and the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers. “If not for the experience I have garnered, my government would have been history,” Fayose stated yesterday speaking at a peace meeting brokered by Ekiti elders, led by eminent lawyer Chief Afe Babalola. The meeting, held at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), was shunned by the APC lawmakers, led by Speaker Adewale Omirin. The lawmakers alleged plots to arrest them and keep them out of circulation, until the end of their tenure. Four of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, led by factional Speaker Dele Olugbemi, attended the meeting. Other elders present were Chairman, Standing Committee, State Council of Elders, Chief Deji Fasuan; former Minister of National Planning Chief Ayo Ogunlade and former Secretary General of Yoruba Council of Elders, Dr. Kunle Olajide. Despite the absence of the APC lawmakers, the elders resolved to continue with the meeting in which they reiterated their call on the warring factions to embrace peace. The ABUAD campus witnessed an overwhelming presence of armed policemen and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). Fayose accused the media of propagating the crisis, saying Ekiti does not deserve the uncomplimentary headlines being foisted on it. As stated by him, the experience of his 2006 impeachment was brought to bear in “protecting the mandate given to him by the electorate”. He stated his call for peace was not out of cowardice but to show the character of a leader. His words: “I am not a first-time governor, I am better informed now to know the difference between the executive and the legislature. "If not for experience, this PDP government would have become history. The difference between the last time and now is the experience I have. “The last time, they came and took off my neck, should I look on for them to cut my head again? No. “It is wrong for people to keep saying to me that you are the father. Should I as a father sit and allow someone cut off my nose and hand. Then later return to remove my eyes and finally cut off my head? “What will I turn to? I want to appeal to the media because they have done enough damage to the state. “Tomorrow, you will see headlines, such as ‘APC lawmakers shun Afe Babalola’; ‘APC lawmakers accuse Fayose of trying to kill them’ or ‘Fayose begs’. “They are looking for technicalities to remove Fayose and it shows that there is a motive to consume this state. “How can 19 people sit in one corner saying they want to undo what the people have done?” On APC lawmakers’ allegation that he wants to arrest them at the meeting, the governor said: “I am ready to shift ground to see that they finish their tenure successfully and pay them all their dues. “I’m ready to work with them and make them happy. “It is not only during crisis we should be having a forum like this.” Babalola regretted the absence of the APC lawmakers, saying he had made necessary arrangements for their safety. He stated the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun, was on his way to the meeting before receiving information that the meeting had been cancelled, which made him to return to Lagos. Babalola stated his prayer was that peace should reign in Ekiti to set it on the path of development.
