President Olusegun Obasanjo (R) swears in Tunji Olurin, a retired military governor, as interim administrator of Ekiti state, at the presidential palace in the capital Abuja, October 19, 2006. Obasanjo on Thursday declared a state of emergency in the southwestern state of Ekiti following the unconstitutional impeachment of the state governor over corruption charges. REUTERS/Stringer (NIGERIA)

 

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Emergency order in Nigerian state

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared a state of emergency in Ekiti State, following the impeachment of the local governor for corruption.

Mr Obasanjo said he was taking action because the governor's sacking had been unconstitutional, and to prevent Ekiti descending into chaos.

Both the chief justice and the attorney-general have said Ayo Fayose's sacking was illegal.

Political tension is rising in Nigeria, ahead of elections next year.

   'State of Emergency ' imminent in Ekiti State
 
The Ekiti crisis may take a new dimension anytime from now as president Obasanjo panders to PDP party chieftains over the constitutional crisis rocking the state. A meeting between the president, the attorney general, IG of police and chief justice of Nigeria as well as members of various security agencies is currently in progress in Abuja, the federal capital territory.

Forces loyal to Governor Fayose and particularly his deputy, Mrs. Olujimi are said to very 'angry' with the 24 legislators in Ekiti State led by the speaker and current Acting Governor, Mr. Friday Aderemi for ignoring a "gentleman agreement" between the Ahmadu Ali led PDP leadership and the Ekiti State house of assembly members to install Mrs. Olujimi as the governor after Mr. Fayose bolted from the state.

Saharareporters had reported that one of the plans earlier considered by president Obasanjo was a "state of emergency" to be imposed on Ekiti State as a way of defeating the opposition groups in the state who wanted Gov. Fayose and his deputy impeached at all cost. The president always favored the resignation of Fayose while Mrs. Olujimi is allowed to replace him, hence the invasion of Ekiti State by mobile policemen from neighboring Ondo State against the objections of the IG which forced Governor Fayose to flee the state at 4:00 Am on Sunday.

The sudden appearance of Mrs. Olujimi in her office yesterday was planned by elements within the ruling party in order to provoke a violent reaction by Ekiti State indigenes so that the president can declare a state of emergency. The lack of violence in Ekiti State despite her public appearance was said to have startled the 'hawks' in PDP who were patiently waiting to dissolve everything in Ekiti State. This led the attorney general, to restate on NTA that the impeachment of Governor Fayose and her deputy was unconstitutional. Also, the AG was banking on a court pronouncement in Ekiti State earlier today which did not happen as the judge, Justice Kowe tactically adjourned the case till Novemeber 17th.

The president went into action today by summoning security chiefs to a meeting to consider the lack of reaction by Ekitis and the seeming popularity of the unconstitutional impeachment of the governor and his deputy. It is believed that the FG will impose a state of emergency based upon the incidents propelled by the "existence of parallel governments in Ekiti State" by today.

Meanwhile, the deputy Governor, Mrs. Olujimi did not show up for work today in Ado-Ekiti as the meeting summons sent out to commissioners, permanent seceratries and other state officials were not heeded by those concerned. She was said to have stayed at her official residence where she was involved in verbal altercations with Ekiti State officials who served her an "eviction notice" from the deputy governor's residence.

Saharareporters confirmed that the acting governor, Mr. Friday Aderemi met with civil servants in the state today which included the accountant general of the state.  The whereabouts of Governor Fayose is still unknown to the public even though he made telephone calls to some journalists in Lagos yesterday to confirm that he was still in hiding, as earlier reported, reliable sources within Nigeria security circles told Saharareporters that Fayose is being held in 'protective custody' by his friends in the  police who are watching the turn of events. Although some of his close friends also said he is currently in Northern Ireland after traveling overland border first to Ghana and later to Ireland, from where he staged a telephone call claiming he is still in Ado Ekiti.

More to come shortly!
 

Major-General Godwin Abe May take over

BY Sunny Ofili    
DATE : Wednesday, 18 October 2006 

The Federal government is at the final stage of plans to announce a state of emergency in crisis torn Ekiti state, following the impeachment of the former governor, Peter Ayodele Fayose and the emergence a parallel administration.

A source close to the Presidency told The Times of Nigeria that the government had anticipated that Fayose’s impeachment will provoke the breakdown of law and order but was disappointed that the state remains tranquil.

President Olusegun Obasanjo was said to have called his Attorney General and ordered to make a pronouncement declaring Fayose’s impeachment illegal and unconstitutional with the hope that so a much would embolden Fayose and his deputy to fight back thereby precipitating the type of crisis that will warrant the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

Our source said that the former deputy governor, Biodun Olujimi, was actually prompted by the Presidency to “Fight on” having being assured of backing from the Presidency.

Today, President Obasanjo summoned his service chiefs along with the Attorney General of the federal Government, Bayo Ojo to a meeting in his office to discuss the Ekiti crisis and his intention to declare a state of emergency.

A source privy to what went on at the meeting said, “The government is already talking with the likely candidate to assume the post of administrator in Ekiti State, a one time Military Administrator under Babangida regime and a former General Office Commanding 2ND Mechanized Division of Nigerian Army, Major-General Godwin Abe.”
 
“His name was touted by the military controlled party hierarchy led by the duo of Colonel. Ahmadu Ali and Bode George, a Navy Commodore.” The source said.

Another report had it that the name of retired Major General Tunji Olurin also came up during the meeting as a possible candidate for the Sole Administrator position should the state of emergency be declared.

Robot  Villager

# 1 The Federal government is at the final stage of plans to announce a state of emergency in crisis ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 18.10.2006 15:48

Auspicious  Villager

# 2 Auspicious: Hehn? Na LIE! Auspivoice: Ya, siddon dia. E go do yu like film-trick! Hehehe! Auspicious: STOP JARE! Dem tell you say dis na funi mata? Auspivoice: Na yu talk am - no be me. Auspicious: So wai u dey laff jus now? Auspivoice: Wetin u wan make ah do? You wan see old man like me cry? Auspicious: Abeg komot! Pesin wey old pass you don cry pass.. Auspivoice: So wetin u tink say go hapin now? Auspicious: Me ah no know oh! I jus dey vex. Dis Obasanjo guy ehn! Auspivoice: Wetin ein do? Na una people wey too like to write petition cause yawa jare! Auspicious: Yu don begin with ya stereotype again abi? Auspivoice: You don begin wit ya girama again abi? Auspicious: Anyhow, na yu know..you and ya rumor Auspivoice: Rumo ko, Rhumatoid Athraitis ni! Siddon dia..sojaman go soon full ya state. Auspicious: But nobody don folo fight yet ke! Wai dem go do dat kain tin? Auspivoice: You wan make dem begin kill pepo befo Baba do sometin? Auspicious: No! *Sigh* But at least dem go first try see if de'o fit settle dem yawa.. Auspivoice: Dem neva try reach so? Na una pepo cause am jare! Auspicious: Wetin dem cause? Abeg no jus vex me now! Auspivoice: Wen house impeach Alami for Bayelsa wetin hapin? Auspicious: Wetin? Dem komot am naa ni! Auspivoice: Korekt! Oyo nko? Wetin hapen dia? Auspicious: So? No be dat agbaya man chase dem Gomina komot? Auspivoice: Excellent! But wen e reach Ekiti turn wetin hapen? Auspicious: Ah no know..no be u be genius for hia? Make u tell ya tori Auspivoice: Haha! Ya pepo dey too sturnorniiiiii! Dem no dey hia wordiiii! Auspicious: Wait now, stubborn how? No be we get awa state? Auspivoice: Yes na u get ya state..but na Obasanjo pepo get u as per federal levels! Auspicious: God punish you! Na u be slave! Auspivoice: You see? Stubborn head..na me you go dey flex muskule for. Auspicious: Wait.. Auspivoice: No, you wait! Na me you go dey do shakara for. Mumu hol ya state for 3.. Auspicious: I say wait.. Auspivoice: Mumu like Fayose hol ya state for 3 years..una no fit do notin! Auspicious: Hmm.. Auspivoice: Una siddon dia dey write petition instead make una chase am komot.. Auspicious: *Sigh!* Auspivoice: Una siddon dia dey look like Lucozade..wen Baba don plan to emagency una! Auspicious: Hmm..so wetin go hapen now? Auspivoice: Notin mush. Dem go ONLY chase every politician komot town.. Auspicious: Enh?!? Oti oh! Auspivoice: Con put any retired military Zombie wey fit take dat kain job for power. Auspicious: Olorun mi ooooo! Na dat one u dey call "only"? Na big coup be dat ke! Auspivoice: Anitin u call am. Jus no say..una don loose out. Auspicious: Hunh! Na lie! For Ekiti ke? I dey go house. Wey my matchete? Auspivoice: Hahaha! You too funny. Dat na Fayose Legacy. You remember dat Fela song? Auspicious: Which one? Auspivoice: Wia ein sing "..dem go kari ya bodi go police station, you gi die for notin!" Auspicious: *Hisssss* Auspivoice: "Well-well! Well-well! Well-Well!..(till fade) Auspicious Posted by Auspicious| 18.10.2006 16:05

Tochukwu  Villager

# 3 Folks, Nigeria's maximum ruler has just declared State of Emergency in Ekiti State. The next will be Anambra State. We are in a very horrible time in Nigeria. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6065188.stm Posted by Tochukwu| 19.10.2006 03:57

Abraxas  Villager

# 4 Hi, folks! It appears like his earlier exploratory experiments (in political diabolism) in Anambra, Bayelsa, and Oyo States, and the confirmatory pilot test conducted in Plateau State (with Major General Chris ALI (retired) as Sole Administrator post-declaration of state of emergency) last year, have provided a convenient template on which His Imperial Majesty, Balogun (General) Aremu Segun Okikiolakan OBASANJO intends to re-militarize Nigerian politics, in the transition to his exit from Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, 29 May 2007, when he MUST be evacuated back (by all means necessary, fair or foul) into his village villa at Owu, in exactly 7 months, and 10 days from now: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nigeria's Obasanjo declares emergency in Ekiti state By Estelle Shirbon ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday declared a state of emergency in the south-western state of Ekiti following the unconstitutional impeachment of the state governor over corruption charges. Obasanjo appointed a retired major-general to run the affairs of the state for the next six months and said the move was to prevent Ekiti descending into anarchy and threatening security in Africa's biggest oil producer. "I hereby declare a state of emergency in Ekiti state," he said in a national television broadcast. "It is a clear case of usurpation of power. It is dangerous for our democracy ... to allow this flagrant violation of our constitution to go unchecked," Obasanjo said. The declaration of a state of emergency comes at a sensitive time in Nigerian politics. Africa's most populous country is due to hold elections in April next year that should mark the first democratic hand-over of power since independence in 1960. There has been a rash of attempted impeachments of state governors based on allegations of corruption. Critics say such allegations have become a political weapon as power struggles intensify ahead of the elections. In the most high-profile case, Obasanjo and his deputy Atiku Abubakar have been trading accusations of graft. Abubakar wants to run for president next April and Obasanjo is trying to disqualify him from the race using corruption charges. In Ekiti, state lawmakers impeached Governor Ayodele Fayose on Monday after a judicial panel found him guilty of corruption. However, the lawmakers had replaced the chief judge who headed that panel, a move which Obasanjo said was illegal. The situation in Ekiti has been uncertain. Fayose, who is in hiding, has insisted he remained the governor. His deputy has said she was the acting governor, and the lawmakers named their speaker as the new governor. Obasanjo said this situation could not be allowed to continue as it risked causing a breach of order and safety in Ekiti and elsewhere in Nigeria. He suspended the governor, his deputy and the state house of assembly with immediate effect. Obasanjo's decision is likely to fuel conspiracy theories that have been circulating in Nigeria for several months. In particular, many of Obasanjo's opponents accuse the president of stoking tensions with a view to postponing the elections and staying in office. Obasanjo has insisted the elections would be held on schedule and has vehemently denied that he wished to stay on after the end of his second term. Earlier this year, an attempt to rewrite the constitution to allow Obasanjo to stand for a third term was defeated in the senate, but the president's critics say he has not given up on the idea. (c) Reuters 2006. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world. This article: http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=1548502006 Last updated: 19-Oct-06 08:48 BST POST SCRIPT: Hi, folks! It is beginning to creep in slowly on my clairvoyant senses that there is a massive conspiracy among a cabal within the military elite in Nigeria to control and retain political power indefinitely within their fold, post-Abdulsalami Abubakar! I hope I am wrong. Muchas gracias, mis amigos. Don Juan Carlos ABRAXAS (III) (Director of Propaganda & Enlightenment, Global Coalition for the Total De-militarization of Nigerian Politics, post-OBJ) Posted by Abraxas| 19.10.2006 05:12

Onos  Villager

# 5 Honestly, I wont be surprised if a coup is launched before the next presidential election. One can only hope this doesn't happen but the handwriting is all over the wall, and the tense atmosphere is a just the perfect excuse for idle, ambitious generals. All it would take to make it happen is for Baba to make an oversea trip. Anyway, make we dey see. Posted by Onos| 19.10.2006 06:41

Jaykaycee  JJC

# 6 A people deserve the type of leaders they get and if the people are unhappy, they also reserve the right to dethrone that government. Vox populi vox dei. Feel the pulse of the people of Ekiti State and I have no doubt that Fasoye's impeachment is in order. His friends in the judiciary should give us a break jare! Ekiti people are wise enough to know where their problems are coming from "unconstitutional" or not. Secon' base jare! Posted by Jaykaycee| 19.10.2006 07:08

tengallons  Villager

# 7 From what I have read, I think Fayose is a thief, but for so many governors to be under investigation at the same time means that there is something wrong at a systemic level. Could all of these chief executives have done what they did without the collaboration of various commissioners and senior public servants who serve under them? Indeed, we need to know if there were conniving legislators who are now turncoats. If we really want to deal with corruption, we need to drain the whole swamp! All of these impeachment "sagas" are sucking the oxygen out of the heavyweight Main Event i.e. OBJ versus Atiku. Imagine going into elections under these conditions! Our democracy is not working. Period. Posted by tengallons| 19.10.2006 07:14

JayJay1  Villager

# 8 I pray the same thing happen to the coconut head himself, Segun Obasanjo; AMEN. See the kettle calling the pot black. Posted by JayJay1| 19.10.2006 07:17

Auspicious  Villager

# 9 Finally... It has happened. Albeit unfortunately. A Thug stole Ekiti State blind and ruled with absolute Impunity. A State full of Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers couldn't do anything about a Buffoon in power. And when it came to impeaching him, they bungled it too! But maybe we shouldn't blame them - maybe it was all the fault of a buffoonous Governor. He had eaten too deep; the disease he carried had infected the whole body. Hence only an excission of infected parts can bring about the required cleansing. And so to Hell with the whole lot: Governor, Assemblymen, Commissioners - ALL. If possible, make the excission of that morally-decrepit Chief Justice the Capstone. Good riddance to bad rubbish. As for the Retired General in Aso, to be fore-warned is to be fore-armed: Use this unfortunate event as Prototype for an extension of your mandate, But use it at your own risk; for it is nothing but an invitation to Disaster. Posterity will never forgive you. History will forever view your name with contempt. And your people will spit huge phlegms every time your name is mentioned. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed. Posted by Auspicious| 19.10.2006 07:46

Son of the Delta  Villager

# 10 @Abraxas It has already been re-militarized before now.Remember Chief Obasanjo was succesful in removing Ogbeh as PDP chairman through Gun-point Democracy.He replaced him with Col(Dr.)Ahmadhu Ali(rtd) a retired military man like himself.The chairman of the PDP board of trustee is also a retired or dismissed(not sure of his status)police officer, Chief Tony Anienieh and dont forget his vice president Atiku Abubakar is also a retired custom officer. I think all these things are not new we only did´nt take note of them.During the 4 19 elections of 2003 the military had to `protect´ `voters´.IWhat is new now is that those that are being protected are those in a position to vote for the removal and not for the appointment of political office holders.When it happened in Bayelsa some of us thought the troops were sent to Bayelsa to maintain the flow of oil. From all indications the troops are becoming more and more active in this `Obasanjo Democracy´ Indeed Nigeria is a country of sharp contrasts. My only prayer is that Baba Iyabo does not do something that would make that nation explode beyond proportion. Posted by Son of the Delta| 19.10.2006 07:48

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