The reportedly impeached Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Adewale Omirin, on Friday explained why the House had not approved a request by the Governor, Ayo Fayose, to screen three commissioners.
Appearing as guest on Sunrise Daily, following the appointment of a new speaker by seven PDP lawmakers of the House on Thursday, Omirin recalled that the House members, majority of whom belong to the opposition party (APC), had promised to work with the governor, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
However, issues had begun before the governor’s inauguration on the 16th of October, 2014.
Omirin said that the new governor, Ayo Fayose, had accused him of being against his inauguration, as a result of an existing court case, which had nothing to do with him (Omirin) or his party (APC).
“He even went to the market place telling all the market women that please help me beg Omirin. He doesn’t want me to be inaugurated. So, because of this incitement, I did not go for the inauguration because I didn’t want to be lynched.”
Omirin, who denied being a member of the E11, said the governor had accused him of planning to become acting governor, but yet, he went ahead to attend the thanksgiving ceremony following the inauguration.
He explained that the one month recess declared by the House following the inauguration was prompted by rumours that miscreants were going to invade the Chamber.
This he said was done to allow tensions to reduce.
Asked why the decision was taking in view of the new administration which would need to begin work, Omirin noted that, as at the time the recess was agreed upon, the governor was yet to send any request and that the House could have easily reconvened if such was done.
On the request to approve three commissioners which was rejected by the House, Omirin explained that it was the custom of the House to first read the letter on the floor and thereafter members would request for the profiles of the applicants, after which a date would be set for the screening exercise.
However, the applicants had come to be screened on the same day the letter was read and so they could not be attended to on the same day.