• CP beefs up security as govt house undergoes cleansing
By Olakiitan Victor in Ado Ekiti
As the Governor-elect of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, takes over from Governor Kayode Fayemi Thursday, strong indications emerged in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, Wednesday that the Chief Judge (CJ) of the state, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, has met with the incoming governor by proxy.
The CJ, who had been embroiled in crisis with Fayose over September 25 invasion of the court by suspected party thugs, fuelling insinuations that he might not be favourably disposed to perform the swearing-in based on the alleged frosty relationship, was said to have sent a delegation to meet with the governor-elect yesterday.
A close associate of Fayose and a member of his legal team told journalists that “the CJ has sent the Chief Registrar, Mr. Femi Fasanmi, to meet with the governor-elect, alleging that they have rehearsed on inauguration.
“So, the insinuation that the CJ will not perform the swearing-in has been laid to rest,” he said.
Fayose, however, raised the alarm that the state treasury has been emptied by the outgoing government .
This is coming as about 1,000 clerics and traditionalists have been invited by Fayose to perform spiritual cleansing in the new Government House at Ayoba Hill in Ado Ekiti, which was inaugurated last Sunday by the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, before he moves in.
Speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti, Fayose said he had just met with the state Head of Service, Mr. Bunmi Famosaya, and top members of the state civil service, where he got the hint that nothing was left in the state’s treasury.
He said: “Well, like I said, I don’t want to join issue with anybody. I only believe that a chapter has come and gone then a new chapter will be opened tomorrow. The outgoing government has refused to cooperate with us in terms of inauguration, and my findings have confirmed that no government account is left with a maximum of one million naira.
“The head of service has been here and some permanent secretaries, and I discussed with them. No government account presently has minimum of one million naira. It’s unfortunate that this is happening but we are voted to find solutions to the problems, and as soon as we take over the government, we shall find solution to it.”
On whether he would probe the Fayemi-led government, Fayose said: “I won’t talk about it now until we take over the government officially. We can’t talk about it until I assume office. I have not taken the handing over note. So until then, I don’t want to join issues with anybody.
“Entering government house is not an issue, because anywhere I am is a government house immediately I take over. I can be here and acts as a governor, but tomorrow’s event will give us direction.”
On the cleansing of the government house, Fayose said the clergymen and traditionalists are to come from all the 16 local government areas of the state.
“I am inviting all our men of God to follow us to Oke Ayobo, the new Government House today to do some spiritual cleansing there. I am not expecting less than 1,000 of them.
“They(clerics) would be in front, we shall follow them, our men of God would use the power of prayer to conquer them.
Meanwhile, arrangement are on top gear for the inauguration of the governor-elect, which is expected to take place at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti.
In preparation for the epoch-making event, the governor-elect yesterday distributed a branded cloth bearing his portrait to artisans, party faithful and other admirers across the 16 councils.
However, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, has assured the people of safety during the programme, just as he had beefed up security across the state to forestall any break down of law and order
A statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, said: “In view of today’s inauguration and swearing–in ceremony of Fayose as the governor of the state, the command has put in place adequate and comprehensive security measures to prevent any breach of law and order.
“Accordingly, the Commissioner of Police, Lakanu, has ordered the deployment of adequate manpower and equipment to the police Bomb Disposal Units, Counter Terrorist Units, Mobile police and Swift Response Squad (SRS) in addition to conventional and plain cloth detectives who have also been strategically positioned to ensure an eventful and crisis-free ceremony.
Source: Thisday
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