Fayose At Ekiti Assembly: I’m Available For Interrogation
There was mild drama on Friday in the complex of Ekiti House of Assembly, as immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose paid unscheduled visit to the complex in Ado Ekiti.
The surprise visit came barely 24 hours after the former governor was summoned to appear before the assembly over alleged diversion of local government funds among other allegations while in office.
He was asked to appear before the house committee on Public Account alongside former Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Mr. Dapo Olagunju, former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr. Kola Kolade and all the former 16 local government chairmen.
Immediately after arriving the assembly complex, Fayose made his way to the office of the Speaker, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye and the deputy Speaker, Hakeem Jamiu and held meeting with them for about 40 minutes.
Speaking with newsmen after the brief meeting, the former governor said, he called the Speaker last night to confirm whether the information was true which he confirmed.
He said, “You know my style, when the EFCC wanted me, I told them I am here. So I have come to the State House of Assembly to tell them I am here and if you have questions, I am here because clear conscience fears no accusation. If they have anything to ask, I am available.
“I want to let them know that I am available and ready to answer their questions. So I drove down from Lagos to tell them that there is no hiding place for some of us, so, I am here and ready to give account of my stewardship.”
Fayose also alleged in a phone call to journalists that he narrowly escaped being attacked by some hoodlums after leaving the Assembly complex.
He alleged that, the hoodlums who rode in a Hilux van trailed him and hauled stones on his moving Range Rover Jeep but he and those in his entourage were lucky to escaped hurt.
Meanwhile the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon Afuye has said that the former Governor’s ambush to the House of Assembly complex on Friday was resisted because he came unannounced.
The Speaker in a press release signed by his media aide Akogun Tai Oguntayo, disclosed that after the resolution of the House of Assembly at the plenary yesterday inviting the former Governor to appear before the House, he called the Speaker to confirm if the report was true.
The Speaker confirmed to Mr Fayose’s it was true and that was the end of the discussion.
The statement further disclosed that after Fayose’s phone call, the Speaker intimated two of the lawmakers of his conversion with the erstwhile governor.
“Just as the Speaker was settling down in his office this afternoon, Mr. Fayose stormed his office with a retinue of press men led by his former media aide, Mr Lere Olayinka, who was equally wanted on another alleged fund stealing.
‘’The Speaker who was accompanied in his office by two other lawmakers immediately stopped the journalists from entering his office and warned Mr Olayinka against writing any fake report as it’s usual of him.
“When Mr Fayose announced his readiness to the Speaker, he was told to go back and await the official invitation letter from the House of Assembly.”
Afuye however stated that the former Governor was accorded his due compliment on arrival at the House of Assembly ”being a former No1 citizen of the State”.
He then reiterated that the House cannot be harassed or intimidated by anyone, ”as we are poised to investigate the alleged looting public fund without any fear or favour”
