Nobody can impeach me - Fayose boasts

•PDP national exco visits governor

Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose yesterday declared that nobody can impeach him.

He described himself as a “one-man political army to defend the state from invaders”.

Fayose vows to lead opposition against APC

The governor spoke when members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) visited him.

Led by the Acting National Chairman, Uche Secondus, the PDP NWC warned the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government against supporting what it called “illegality”.

The PDP national leaders called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling APC to respect the constitution and the rule of law.

They noted that the raging crisis of impeachment in the Fountain of Knowledge represents a “litmus test” for the ruling party’s democratic credentials.

Secondus was accompanied by National Secretary Wale Oladipo; National Organising Secretary Abubakar Mustapha; National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh and National Auditor Fatai Adeyanju.

Addressing reporters after a 25-minute confidential meeting with Fayose, Secondus denied begging the APC lawmakers to back down on their impeachment plan.

The PDP boss explained that the APC and its lawmakers must obey a court order, which mandated parties in the leadership crisis rocking the Assembly to maintain status quo ante bellum, pending the determination of the Motion of Notice before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Secondus argued that Dr. Adewale Omirin is not the Speaker of the House of Assembly, hence he (Omirin) cannot order the chief judge to constitute any panel.

He said the “gang-up” against Fayose would fail because the people are behind the governor and they are ready to defend the mandate given to him.

Describing the PDP as a “law-abiding party”, Secondus described Fayose as a “law-abiding governor”, insisting that the rule of law and the constitution must be strictly adhered to by the APC and its lawmakers.

Secondus said: “We are here in Ekiti to pay solidarity visit to our dear Governor Ayodele Fayose over the political crisis in Ekiti State.

“As you are aware, the leadership of APC and the lawmakers have ganged up to illegally remove the governor.

“The court order of April 23 given by Justice Chukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja is still effective. As of now, Dr Adewale Omirin is not the authentic Speaker and can’t tell the chief judge to set up a panel to try Fayose.

“Even as we speak, the governor has not received any letter from the lawmakers. We call on the Federal Government that democracy is in danger in Ekiti. We owe it a duty to protect the rule of law.

“Should they go ahead to illegally impeach the governor, the consequences will be anarchy, crisis and violence.

“PDP is law abiding and this we demonstrated by allowing democracy to grow while in control. This is a test for the APC-led Federal Government. It must ensure that the constitution is protected.

“We are not begging anybody, but our appeal has been that due process must be followed. We are warning the lawmakers to desist from their actions.

“PDP will not allow anybody to return Nigeria to autocracy. Fayose is a performer and he should be allowed to develop this state.”

Buoyed by the visit, Fayose said Ekiti people would not tolerate the abuse of the constitution and the rule of law saying he and his supporters are “solidly on ground”.

The governor, who maintained that the court ruling on maintenance of status quo must be adhered to, reiterated his support for the rule of law.

He said if he wanted to violate the rule of law, he would have inaugurated the House of Assembly on Monday.

Fayose warned the APC and its leaders to let him focus on his primary assignment of governance.

The governor, who said he is not losing any sleep on the matter, boasted that the lawmakers would fail in their bid to impeach him.

He added that the PDP is ready to play its constitutional role as the main opposition party to defend the nation’s democracy.

Fayose said: “We will not allow them to trample on the constitution. That the country is witnessing peace today is a collaborative effort between former President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP.

“The PDP is united after the loss at the election and we are gradually picking the pieces.

“But we are assuring you that we are solidly on ground. You know it will get to a stage when the people will act like the constitution themselves.

“My party leaders just go home and rest. We will be on ground like the nation of Israel to protect our territory.”

Nobody can impeach me - Fayose boasts