Ekiti State House of Assembly has faulted the military panel report on the June 21, 2014 governorship poll in the state, saying it was designed to upturn the election of Governor Ayodele Fayose.
The Assembly stated that any attempt by the federal government to use the report of the indictment of some military officers who participated in the conduct of the poll to impeach Fayose will be resisted by Ekiti populace.
During its plenary yesterday, it queried the report of Major Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade-led panel which it said “curiously indicted its men with various degree of offences and punishment only on assignment in Ekiti State during the election”.
The lawmakers, who took turn to comment on the report which also covered Osun and Edo, wondered why only soldiers who were on duty during Ekiti poll were singled out for punishment.
As stated by the Speaker, Hon Kola Oluwawole, it is an abberation for a military panel to review an election in a democratic setting.
“An institution saddled with the responsibility of protecting territorial borders of Nigeria and should not be allowed to be rubbished by APC for political reasons,” he stated.
Eight resolutions were later passed at the end of the sitting, which expressly pointed at the fact that the assembly was aware of the alleged effort to ignite constitutional crisis in Ekiti and forcefully take over the PDP-led government.
The speaker, in a speech presented by Aribisogan on his behalf at a press conference after the session, stated the constitution of the Oyebade military tribunal was an affront on the Supreme Court, which had earlier adjudged the June 21 governorship poll as credible and transparent.
He said: “It is a well known fact and on records that the June 21 election was adjudged to be free, fair and credible by both local and international observers. It is also a statement of fact that all security agencies including the military that monitored the election were commended by observers.
“It is now curious to find out that the institution which was applauded and commended for its good conduct and professionalism is now being indicted by its own men.”