The traditional rulers made the statement on Tuesday, 30 September, 2014, after they held a meeting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital.
The meeting, which reviewed
the security situation in the state commiserated with the family of a former
Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Omolafe Aderiye, who was
murdered last Thursday, by unknown gunmen.
Ekiti Governor-elect, Ayo
Fayose
According to a statement
made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti and signed the Chairman of the
council of monarchs, the Onitaji of Itaji, Oba Adamo Babalola, the council
reiterated that the people of Ekiti state had spoken through the ballot papers
in the governorship election held on 21 June, 2014.
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 monarchs stated that
they have 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 hope of the common man.
The traditional rulers also
commended the security agencies for efforts to restore peace in the state after
the violence that followed the murder of Aderiye.
They appealed to the people
of Ekiti to shun violence to ensure that peace returns to the state.
It would be recalled that
political thugs had last Monday invaded the Ekti State High Court presided over
by Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi to disrupt proceedings in a case challenging the
eligibility of Fayose to contest the gubernatorial poll.
Also on Thursday, Justice
John Adeyeye was allegedly beaten by some political thugs.
The Ekiti State Police
Command said it had arrested 19 persons for the murder of the late Aderiye.
According to Victor
Babayemi, the Ekiti Police Public Relations Officer, 19 persons, including one
female, were arrested over the weekend.
Fayose had denied his
involvement with the crisis in Ekiti, accusing the opposition party of trying
to halt his swearing-in.
Fayose himself is behind this violence.
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