Ekiti monarchs urge peace
The state Council of Traditional Rulers has also advised Fayose and the APC lawmakers to sheathe their swords for peace to be restored in the state.
The monarchs, in a communique read by their Chairman and the Onitaji of Itaji Ekiti, Oba Adamo Babalola, lamented that their troubleshooting efforts were frustrated by both parties.
They advised that since the parties were in court, any discussion or action by them would be subjudice.
The communiqué read in part, “This position stalled all further deliberations and efforts to find an amicable settlement of the matter.
“The recent development in our dear state is a source of concern and embarrassment to all well-meaning people of Ekiti State.
“It is unfortunate that the incident which resulted in the death of one Mr Modupe Olaiya of Efon Alaaye could have been avoided.
“Council appreciates the representations from various individual groups, and associations such as, the Ekiti State Council of Elders, the labour unions, both serving and retired, religious leaders, business and professional bodies for their concerns and suggestions.
“Council hereby appeals to all political gladiators to sheathe their swords, eschew violence and give peace a chance, as we believe that violence cannot solve the problems at hand.”
The monarchs called on the law enforcement agencies to ensure the security of lives and property during and after the April 11 elections.
The council said it would soon convoke an expanded meeting of stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the face-off.
Police commissioner redeployed
The state Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, has however been redeployed.
He has been replaced with Emmanuel Ibine.
Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, disclosed this in an interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja on Thursday.
Ojukwu, an acting commissioner of police, said the redeployment is with immediate effect.
The PUNCH had earlier learnt on Thursday that an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, M. J. Gana, was directed to take charge of the state during the elections and until violence in the state abated.
When contacted on the redeployment of Lakanu, the Peoples Democratic Party Publicity Secretary in the state, Joseph Adaraniwon, said, “We have no problem with the deployment. The power to redeploy is with the Police authorities.”
Adaraniwon’s APC counterpart, Taiwo Olatubosun, could not be reached for comments.
Ekiti State has been embroiled in crisis since the declaration of Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) of the APC as the winner of the March 28 election.
Gunmen had attacked the APC secretariat and some members of the party in the state.
The APC members had just returned from Ado Ekiti where they had gone to celebrate the victory of Buhari when thugs attacked them.
The party petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, over attacks.
The petition by the state Secretary of the party, Paul Omotoso, was also sent to the National Human Rights Commission; the AIG in charge of Zone Eight in Lokoja; Lakanu and the State Director of the Department of State Services, Samuel Tamuno.
Fayose also sent a petition to the IG , accusing an APC lawmaker of firing the shot that killed Olaiya in Efon Alaye on Tuesday.
Fayose, in the petition, urged Abbah to investigate the role of policemen in the killing.
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