By Rotimi Ojomoyela
Ado Ekiti
Ekiti state Council of Traditional Rulers has commended the Chief Judge of Ekiti state, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, for maintaining absolute neutrality in the impeachment plot against Governor Ayodele Fayose by the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers.
The monarchs advised the governor to find a way of palliating the sufferings of the legislators, whose salaries and entitlements have not been paid since last year December, as part of the efforts to broker peace.
In a statement by its Chairman and the Onitaji of Itaji, Oba Adamo Babalola, in Ado Ekiti yesterday, said the Council appreciated Justice Daramola for holding tenaciously to the tenets of his office, in spite of the obvious and immense pressure from interested parties.
The monarchs said: “Council implores Justice Daramola to continue in the same spirit, so as to ensure that the popular wish of the generality of the people is not subverted.
“Council also acknowledges and appreciates the efforts of the law enforcement agents in maintaining law and order in the State and for ensuring that the wish of the people is not truncated.
“On our parts as traditional rulers, the Council has called on Obas in the communities of the members of the agitating legislators in their different domains to put an end to this impeachment saga and tread the path of peace.”
The monarchs stated that the landslide victories Fayose had recorded in various elections conducted before and after he assumed office, vividly amplified the people’s preference for his leadership and that “this cannot be truncated through any foul means.”
“The people’s position was further reinforced by the Supreme Court judgement of April 14, 2015, where, in a unanimous decision, the governor was confirmed the winner of the June 21 governorship election.
“It is our resolve that the people of Ekiti state should be allowed to enjoy the mandate they freely gave to Governor Fayose during the June 21 governorship poll.”