Tight security for Ekiti verdict today
By Odunayo OgunmolaPublished TodayNewsRating: Unrated

Verdict ADO-EKITI, the Ekiti State capital, was struggling yesterday under a huge security blanket ahead of today’s verdict in the governorship dispute.

Tension remained high, but all was calm.

Many siren-blaring police vehicles paraded the streets, with riot policemen conducting stop-and-search on vehicles at all entry points in the state.

The impending judgment was the topic of discussion in public places.

Schools may record low attendance today as many parents may keep their wards indoors. There are fears of violence.

The Nation

gathered that the entire Fajuyi Park area where the State High Court complex is located will be cordoned off to keep people several metres away to prevent a possible clash.

Police spokesman Mohammed Jimoh, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the number of politicians to be allowed into the court will be restricted.

The Action Congress (AC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be represented in court by 25 members each to forestall trouble as witnessed shortly after written addresses were adopted on April 13.

The 25 members from each of the two parties are expected to enter the court premises inside their parties’ buses; no personal vehicles.

Judges and lawyers will be allowed to drive their vehicles into the court premises.

The police spokesman, who urged members of the public to be law-abiding, assured the people of their safety. He said politicians should stay away from the tribunal "in their own interest".

He advised supporters to stay at their parties’ secretariats to which policemen will be deployed to protect them against any attack.

The five-man Election Petitions Tribunal hearing the dispute arising from the April 25, 2009 rerun is chaired by Hon. Justice Hamma Barka. The verdict is coming exactly one year after Governor Segun Oni, the PDP candidate, was declared winner of the highly controversial election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Olusola Ayoka Adebayo.

The result was announced on May 5, 2009 after a 10-day suspense characterised by street protests and a delayed election in the two wards of Oye-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area.

Dissatisfied with the result, the AC candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, filed a petition on June 2, last year, challenging the results from the six wards of Ifaki 1, Ifaki 2, Usi, Orin/Ora in Ido/Osi Local Government Area and Ipoti A and Ipoti B in Ijero Local Government Area.

Respondents in the suit are: Oni (1st), PDP (2nd), Independent National Electoral Commission (3rd), REC (4th), Ido/Osi Returning Officer (5th), Ijero Returning Officer (6th), Nigeria Police Force (7th) and Inspector General of Police (8th).

The state police command held a closed door meeting with leaders of PDP and AC, urging both sides to allow peace to reign before, during and after the judgment.

The AC Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe, and his PDP counterpart, Chief Bola Olu-Ojo, led other chieftains of their parties to the meeting held with the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Kakwe Chris Kalto.

Both PDP and AC held last-minute prayers for divine favour.

PDP chieftains prayed at the Government House. AC members prayed at their party secretariat on Ajilosun Street.

Former Governor Ayo Fayose led a long convoy of vehicles to the AC secretariat on a "solidarity visit".

He was received by enthusiastic AC leaders led by Awe, amidst singing, drumming, trumpeting and dancing.

Fayose said he did so as a "statesman and Ekiti leader and not as a Labour Party (LP) chieftain", maintaining that he had no regrets for his support for Fayemi whom he described as "a candidate that enjoys the support of the majority in the state".

The state LP leader urged the people to remain calm.

"Victory is sure for Ekiti people tomorrow (today) but we are pleading that justice must be done. We urge Acting President Goodluck Jonathan not to succumb to any pressure to overturn the wishes of the people," Fayose said.

The state government warned politicians against involvement in any act of violence.

The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement, said security agencies had been mobilised to curtail any breach of peace.

He urged security agencies to be alert and proactive in the discharge of their duties, noting that the state cannot afford to witness any act of violence and desperation by politicians.

Olatunbosun warned parents, guardians and teachers not to allow their children, wards and students to be used by those he referred to as "disgruntled politicians".

He stressed the need for all stakeholders to maintain the peace irrespective of the outcome of the verdict of the tribunal, saying that the issue of who governs the state should not be seen as a do-or-die affair but as a divine call that cannot be achieved without the express permission of God.

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Does anyone has information about the goings on at the Tribunal? Please bring us up to speed.

Oni wins again in the tribunal judgement in Ado Ekiti! God save Nigeria 4rm federal power and might!

prof. wuruwuru and his sister ,i now say God dey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1