How Fayose Survived Impeachment Plot

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, popularly known as Osokomole (unusual being) is presently in a happy mood. He is relieved from the impeachment plot spearheaded by the APC 19 lawmakers in the state.

The outgoing state assembly members were elected into office June 6, 2011. Constitutionally, the tenure of the fourth assembly expires today.

Governor Ayodele Fayose

Ideally, all constitutional roles are suspended until the new assembly, the fifth assembly in this case, takes over. This automatically implies the end of the impeachment plot by the G19.

The battle for supremacy between the governor and the APC lawmakers often referred to as G19 is dated as far back June 21 when Fayose was elected as governor of the state.

He dethroned the then incumbent governor of the state, Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Since Fayose assumed office, there has been unhealthy disharmony between the two parties. The state has been thrown to another battle ground where the two gladiators flex their muscles to the admiration and displeasure of the citizens of the state.

The G19 had bent on impeaching the governor for his alleged gross misconduct, abuse of office and executive rascality. To make do their treat, the G19 directed the state Chief Judge to constitute a panel of enquiry into the allegations leveled against the governor.

It is often said once bitten, twice shy. Fayose, having being impeached during his first term as governor seems to be wiser this time. The first impeachment, according to the governor was orchestrated by President Olusegun Obasanjo. But Fayose seemed prepared this time as he deployed all tactics within his reach to prevent history from repeating itself.

Like a wounded lion, his moves for survival range from media propaganda to display of doggedness and rascality; mobilization of his foot soldiers and followers, mostly dominated by the masses in the state; the artisans, okada riders, members of the transport unions, market women, students, among others.

No doubt, these categories of people see the governor as their hero. They attest to the fact Fayose feels more at home with them than the elite class in the state. These people see it as necessary to pay him back by standing for him during his travail.

As a result, they constituted themselves into a vigilante group to monitor the movement of the G19 who were looking for any available legal means to impeach the governor.

Several rallies took place in the state in solidarity support for the governor. Having been aware the G19 may move motion for the governor’s impeachment if allowed to resume at the assembly, some PDP members in concert with some of the governor’s sympathisers yesterday blocked all major entries to the state to prevent the G19 who have been taking sojourn in Oshogbo, Osun State from hatching their impeachment plan.

As the tenure of the G19 lapses today, the impeachment has naturally suffered a natural death.

Reacting to the impeachment saga, Governor Fayose said he has decided to forgive the lawmakers in the interest of peace “The last few months have been traumatic, especially this week. I was not given room for concentration, but I had left the battle for God to fight. I told those planning to impeach me that they will succeed‎ if they can impeach God. I did not bring myself back to power; my coming back after eight years was divine. I defeated the APC totally in all the elections, still they did not want to concede victory easily until when the Ekiti people rose to defend that June 21 mandate. I will now squarely face the business of governance,”. he said.

If Fayose was impeached, he would have recorded an unusual history as the first governor to be impeached twice in Nigeria.

Despite this supposed victory, the governor still has to contend with a suit filed in an Abuja High Court.

Meanwhile, the governor plans to stage a road match today in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital to appreciate the support of the people.

The procession is expected to kick off any moment from now at the Fajuyi Memorial Park in Ado Ekiti.“By tomorrow, Friday, June 5, (today) I shall be embarking on a town procession in Ado Ekiti to thank my people for their support. I want you to meet me at Fajuyi Park where I am going to commence the procession and move around to give glory to God and humanity,” Fayose enthused.