Members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by its acting chairman, Mr. Uche Secondus have paid a solidarity visit to the Ekiti state governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.
Addressing reporters after a confidential meeting they had with Fayose, Secondus denied begging the APC lawmakers to back down on their impeachment plan. Hear him:
“We are here in Ekiti to pay solidarity visit to our dear Governor Ayodele Fayose over the political crisis in Ekiti State.
“As you are aware, the leadership of APC and the lawmakers have ganged up to illegally remove the governor.
“The court order of April 23 given by Justice Chukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja is still very active. As of now, Dr Adewale Omirin is not the authentic Speaker and can’t direct the chief judge to set up a panel to try Fayose.
“Even as we speak, the governor has not received any letter from the lawmakers. We call on the Federal Government that democracy is in danger in Ekiti. We owe it a duty to protect the rule of law.
“Should they go ahead to illegally impeach the governor, the consequences will be anarchy, crisis and violence.
“PDP is law abiding and this we demonstrated by allowing democracy to grow while in control. This is a test for the APC-led Federal Government. It must ensure that the constitution is protected.
“We are not begging anybody, but our appeal has been that due process must be followed. We are warning the lawmakers to desist from their actions.
“PDP will not allow anybody to return Nigeria to autocracy. Fayose is a performer and he should be allowed to develop this state.”
Encouraged by the visit, Fayose said Ekiti people would not tolerate the abuse of the constitution and the rule of law saying he and his supporters are “solidly on ground”.
The governor, who maintained that the court ruling on maintenance of status quo must be adhered to, reiterated his support for the rule of law.
He said if he wanted to violate the rule of law, he would have inaugurated the House of Assembly on Monday.
Fayose warned the APC and its leaders to let him focus on his primary assignment of governance.
The governor, who said he is not losing any sleep on the matter, said that the lawmakers would fail in their bid to impeach him.
He added that the PDP is ready to play its constitutional role as the main opposition party to defend the nation’s democracy.
Fayose said: “We will not allow them to trample on the constitution. That the country is witnessing peace today is a collaborative effort between former President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP.
“The PDP is united after the loss at the election and we are gradually picking the pieces.
“But we are assuring you that we are solidly on ground. You know it will get to a stage when the people will act like the constitution themselves.
“My party leaders just go home and rest. We will be on ground like the nation of Israel to protect our territory.”