Workers Ground Ekiti, Warn APC Lawmakers Against Impeaching Fayose

Commercial and other activities were paralysed in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, for several hours on Thursday as organised labour held a solidarity rally for Governor Ayo Fayose. The leadership of the labour unions had on Thursday urged workers to stay off work on Friday to protest the lingering crisis between the 19 All Progressives Congress lawmakers of the state Assembly and Fayose over the impeachment plot against the governor, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. The rally was meant to counter attempt by the lawmakers to impeach the governor. Aside the fact that the labour unions successfully effected embargo on vehicular movement till noon, they also ensured that workers in the state’s civil service adhered strictly to the stay-at-home order issued to them on Thursday. Offices were deserted as no civil servant showed up for work when journalists visited the secretariat on Friday to assess the level of compliance with the stay-at-home order. Also commercial vehicles, motorcycles stayed away from all major roads following barricades mounted by workers to ensure strict compliance with the restriction order. Major roads affected were Basiri-Fajuyi-Old Garage-Ajilosun Road and Bank Road, which leads to the State Secretariat and the converging point for workers in the state. The labour leaders under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress and the Joint Negotiating Council had gathered as early as 6am at Fajuyi Park, Ado Ekiti where they warned that any attempt to impeach Fayose would trigger serious crisis in the state. Addressing newsmen on the impeachment saga, the NLC Secretary in the state, Comrade Ade Obatoye, stated that the restiveness being allegedly caused by the lawmakers had been affecting the citizens of the state. The NLC leader urged the lawmakers to allow the people to enjoy the mandate freely given to Fayose during the June 21, 2014 governorship election in the state. Obatoye said: “Though, we agree with Hon. Adewale Omirin that he has the right to fight for his right, but he must wait for the outcome of the suit he instituted against his impeachment. “He cannot because of his impeachment plunge Ekiti into crisis because he stands impeached until the court rules otherwise. “But staying in Osun or Lagos State and be hurling stones at Ekiti is uncalled for and selfish. “Former Governors Niyi Adebayo and Kayode Fayemi of the APC ruled the sate in peace. “But when Fayose and Segun Oni of the PDP came, trouble started. “We will not allow this to continue because Ekiti belongs to all of us. “The people of Ekiti did not only vote for Fayose, but the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, had also revalidated it. “We appeal to the APC to wait for four years when there will be chance to elect another governor and if they can appeal to our people, they can get it back. “But not the way they are presently doing.” Obatoye, who said the heat being generated by the frosty relationship between the executive and legislative was becomeng unbearable, added: “In an atmosphere of unrest just as we are witnessing now, the citizens will bear the brunt. “The will of the people must be allowed to prevail. “The loser of elections must allow the winner to enjoy it. “We beg the lawmakers to allow Fayose to settle for work so that the people can enjoy dividends of democracy in the areas of infrastructure development. “Loser in Lagos governorship election, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, had congratulated Mr. Akin Ambode and this is what we envisaged for Ekiti. “If actually Omirin and his people knew they were popular, they would not have ran away from the state because the people will be ready to defend them. “Our advice to them is to embrace peace because we are going to resist any attempt to impeach Fayose.”