The Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers on Tuesday made its stand known on the crisis rocking the state, warning that any attempt to subvert the mandate freely given to the Governor-Elect, Ayodele Fayose, would be resisted by the people.
The Council also commiserated with the family of the former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Omolafe Aderiye, who was assassinated last Thursday by unknown gunmen in the heat of the legal crisis instituted to disqualify Fayose.
A statement signed by its Chairman and the Onitaji of Itaji, Oba Adamo Babalola, and made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, said the people of the state had spoken during the June 21, 2014 governorship election in the state, advising that the people’s powers is sacrosanct and must be respected.
The Council said this after its emergency meeting held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on September 30, 2014.
The traditional rulers, who expressed concerns about the raging tension in the land over legal tussle between the All Progressives Congress and Fayose, culminating in the closure of all the courts by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, said the scheming actually culminated in the political violence that is enveloping the state.
The Council said: “We condemn in its strongest terms these occurences 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 top truncate it may further aggravate the situation.”
The Council also expressed implicit confidence in the ability of Ekiti State judiciary to dispense justice on any matter judicially and impartially, urging that the body must continue to prove that it remains a dependable bastion of the common man.
The traditional rulers expressed deep appreciation to security agencies for nipping the crisis that occurred in Court last week and the killing of Aderiye.
They said the measure had restored peace in the state.
They appealed to the people to eschew violence to ensure speedy restoration of peace and to complement the efforts of security agencies.