Ekiti Traditional Rulers Warn Against Suverting Fayose’s Mandate

The Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers
has warned against any attempt to subvert
the mandate freely given by the people to
the Governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, in
the June 21 governorship election.
The traditional rulers, who made their
position known after a meeting held in
Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, warned that such
attempts could further aggravate the
already tensed situation in the state.
The meeting, which reviewed the security
situation in the state, also commiserated
with the family of a former state chairman,
National Union of Road Transport Workers,
Mr. Omolafe Aderiye, who was assassinated
by unknown gunmen last Thursday.
In a statement signed by its Chairman and
the Onitaji of Itaji, Oba Adamo Babalola,
and made available to journalists in Ado
Ekiti, the council maintained that the
people of the state had spoken through the
ballot papers in the election.
The Council said, "We condemn in its
strongest terms the occurrences which led
to destruction of life and property. We
believe that Ekiti State is greater than any
individual or group of persons. We should
steer clear of any act that can set Ekiti
ablaze.
"We appeal to the gladiators to sheathe
their swords and prevent further
aggravation of the already bad situation.
"We are of the view that the people of the
state had spoken through the ballot on 21st
June, 2014 and a mandate freely given.
Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers
therefore feels strongly that this mandate
should be actualized as any attempt to
truncate it may further aggravate the
situation".
The council expressed implicit confidence
in the ability of Ekiti judiciary to dispense
justice on any matter judicially and
impartially, urging that the body must
continue to prove that it remained the
hope of the common man.
The traditional rulers also commended the
security agencies for efforts to restore
peace in the state in the wake of Aderiye's
murder.
They also appealed to the people to shun
violence to ensure speedy restoration of
peace and to complement the efforts of
the security agencies.

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