Ekiti Political Crisis: I’m Ready for Dialogue with APC Lawmakers – Fayose

Signs that the political battle between Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and the 19 lawmakers on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, would soon come to an end, came to the fore Saturday as the governor declared his readiness to dialogue with the lawmakers on an amicable resolution to the crisis.

The lawmakers have stuck to their guns to impeach the governor over allegations bordering on impunity and breach of the constitution.

To underscore their seriousness, the lawmakers, led by factional Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin, mandated the state Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, to raise a seven-man panel to investigate Fayose and his deputy, Dr. Kolapo Olusola.

Speaking at at a special prayer session organized for him by the Ansarudeen Mosque, Odo-Ado, Atikankan in Ado-Ekiti to celebrate his recent electoral victory at the Supreme Court, Mr. Fayose said he was open to a political solution to the imbroglio.

He, however, added that whatever political solution that would be adopted to end the crisis must be accepted by the warring APC lawmakers.

Fayose said, “If they say someone has enemies, I’m number one in the world. But God has been merciful and has been helping me to overcome my challenges.

“I need your prayers because it will strengthen me more. I’m here in the mosque to thank God.

“All I want is peace. I have a constitutionally guaranteed tenure. A governor is judged by his achievements in office. All I’m interested in is to bring development to my people. My opponents know if I have a rest of mind I will achieve my objectives.

“All those I have offended should forgive me for the sake of the masses and orphans. They should know people gave me the mandate. Nobody is above mistake; they should forgive me”.

The governor said a lot of people in the state had been living in palpable fear of the unknown prior to the judgment of the apex court.

“We are here to thank God and pray for peace. I’m appealing to those aggrieved to please allow peace to reign.

“There is no perfect man. They should allow peace to reign. All I want is peace that will energise development.

“Anything that can bring peace cannot be wished away. For me, I’m ready to accommodate everybody. Whatever they want we can sit down and talk”.

Earlier, the state Missioner of the Ansarudeen Movement, Alhaji Liadi Adebayo, called on both Fayose and the APC lawmakers to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

He canvassed for peaceful co-existence of the entire people of Ekiti State, irrespective of their political differences.

The Cleric further urged residents to live together in harmony as politics was not supposed to be a do or die affair.