Omuo Ekiti, in Ekiti East local government was locked up yesterday as the youths of the community stage protest against alleged illegal suspension of Mr. Ojo -Ade Fajana, representing the area in the state House of Assembly.
Commercial activities and vehicular movements were paralysed as the placard-carrying protesters marched along the major road leading to the local government headquarters, Omuo Ekiti, thereby halting movement of vehicles in and out of the community for several hours.
The Assembly had recently suspended the legislator for a period of 101
legislative days without pay, in the first instance, “except he shows signs
of genuine remorse.”
While on suspension, he was also barred within one kilometre radius of the
Assembly complex and he must submit all properties of Ekiti state
House of Assembly in his custody to the clerk of the House.
Another member representing Ikole Constituency 1, Mr. Gboyega Aribisogan, had earlier been suspended last year over gross misconduct.
According to the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Dr.Samuel
Omotoso, the suspension came into force after the disciplinary
committee set up by the Speaker, Kola Oluwawole, to investigate
Ojo-Ade, submitted its report at the plenary.
The protesters, who sang solidarity songs, demanded immediate and unconditional reversal of Fajana’s suspension within one week.
Some of the placards read:” Political hostility must be put to an end in Ekiti state. We say no to illegal suspension of our representative at Ekiti state House of Assembly. If you want peace, do the needful and restore Ojo-Ade Fajana”, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Comrade Olajide Samuel, who is the
President of the group, said that the entire Constituency 1 in Ekiti East
local government had been denied of representation in the Assembly.
