Ekiti Traditional Chiefs Back Fayose, Say; "Will of the People Must Be Respected"

By Lere Olayinka

The Ekiti Traditional Chieftaincy Titles Holders, a body of all traditional chiefs in all the towns and villages in Ekiti State has maintained that the popular wish of people of the State expressed during the June 21, 2014 governorship election must be respected, urging politicians in the State to refrain from actions capable of throwing the State into chaos.

In a release issued in Ado-Ekiti today, and signed by its Publicity Secretary, High Chief Ayodeji Esan, the traditional chieftaincy titles holders said it was painful that the gains of the peaceful governorship election of June 21, 2014 and the good image it gave Ekiti State are being thrown away by desperation on the part of some politicians in the State.

High Chief Esan, who is also the Odofinyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government area of Ekiti State noted that it would amount to an affront on the people of Ekiti for anyone to attempt to snatch victory from the person duly elected by the people, using whatever instrument.

"We wish to align ourselves with the position of our revered traditional rulers on the political crisis rocking the state since last week and we call on members of the judiciary in the State to refrain from any action capable of robing them with the garment of partiality.

"First and foremost, it is uncalled for that anyone or group of people could attempt to subvert the mandate freely given to the governor-elect, Ayodele Fayose.

"This to us amounts to an assault on the people of the State, who trooped out on June 21, 2014 to exercise their franchise and expressed their preference for Fayose.

“It is our position that since the people have spoken through the ballot on June 21, no attempt should be made by anyone to truncate the people's mandate.

"We are also saddened by the last Thursday, murder of Chief Omolafe Aderiye, a murder believed to have been occasioned by the political impasse created by the quest to truncate the people's mandate. We commiserate with the deceased family and call on security agencies to fish out his killers.

"We also call on all security agencies in the State to remain alive to their responsibilities by securing lives and properties in the State before the October 16 handing over ceremony and after."