The Peoples Democratic Party Governor’s Forum yesterday described the freezing of the personal accounts of Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as gross abuse of the constitution.
The forum, which spoke through its Chairman and Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has therefore called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the anti-graft agency to order. This came as the Ekiti State House of Assembly faulted the move by the EFCC, saying it acted beyond its powers.
Reacting to the freezing of Fayose’s account by the EFCC, Governor Mimiko noted that EFCC’s action has portrayed the nation as one in crisis. Expressing his displeasure over the step, Mimiko said EFCC cannot interfere with the account of a sitting governor, adding that, it was contrary to Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution.
In a statement, the Ondo State governor argued that if the intention is to suggest any criminal infraction or fraud against the governor, the agency should have sheathe its sword till he (Fayose) vacates office. While he warned that the country is drifting towards totalitarianism, he insisted that the account of any individual could only be frozen after a court of competent jurisdiction has so ruled or an interim order by a court of competent jurisdiction is granted to the anti graft agency.
EFCC acted beyond powers – Ekiti Assembly
Reacting to the development, the Ekiti State House of Assembly described EFCC’s action as ultra vires. Describing the action as null and void, the Assembly said the order formed part of the resolution of the House, which also witnessed passing of a vote of confidence on Governor Fayose, at its plenary at the Assembly complex in Ado-Ekiti.
Speaker of the House, Mr Kola Oluwawole, and Leader of Business, Mr Tunji Akinyele, at plenary, noted that being the second anniversary of Fayose’s election, it was a sad commentary on the nation’s democracy, that after having severally tried unsuccessfully to discredit the election, the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government had resorted to arm-twisting to embarrass and cause discomfort for the Fayose-led government in Ekiti State.
Passing a vote of confidence on the governor, the lawmakers said “the 26 of us in the House of Assembly are resolutely loyal to the governor and his government and no amount of intimidation or monetary inducement can sway us otherwise.”
Strike: Fayose, labour meeting deadlocked
Meantime, as the industrial action declared by the Ekiti workers entered its fourth week, the meeting between Governor Ayodele Fayose and the organised labour ended in a deadlock yesterday.
The meeting, which was called by the governor to interact with labour leaders in the state on how to resolve the disputes that led to the ongoing strike lasted for three hours and the union leaders were seen wearing long faces while leaving the venue.
In a telephone interview, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Raymond Adesanmi, told Vanguard that the strike would continue because the meeting failed to resolve the contending issues.
“The governor listened to us and promised to get back to us. We are also going to have our own meeting on Wednesday to review the situation but the strike continues. It is either three months salary or no talk.” (Vanguard)
