The invasion of the Ekiti State House of Assembly by the police on Wednesday over an alleged security threat was a ruse to prevent the new Speaker of the House, Gboyega Aribisogan, from taking charge, SaharaReporters has learnt.
The security personnel, drawn from the anti-riot squad, regular policemen and counter-terrorism unit were strategically stationed on the four routes leading to the state House of Assembly complex.
Movement into the complex, which is located off Government Reserve Area, 3rd Extension, Ado-Ekiti was restricted as the two entrance gates were shut.
The security operatives conducted stop-and-search operations with increased checkpoints as patrol vans were moving around the vicinity.
The situation created palpable fear in the Assembly complex as workers hurriedly left their offices for their homes to avoid being trapped.
A source in the police said that they received information that some people were planning to invade the Assembly complex and attack lawmakers.
SaharaReporters, however, learnt that the immediate former Governor of the state, Kayode Fayemi was behind the ruse targeted at preventing Aribisogan from taking charge as the Speaker of the Assembly.
Aribisogan was elected as the new Speaker of the House of Assembly following the death of the late Speaker, Funminyi Afuye.
He was sworn in as Speaker by the Clerk of the House, Tola Esan, following his victory.
The source said some politicians in the state are displeased with the outcome of the election that brought in the new Speaker of the Assembly, Gboyega Aribisogan on Tuesday.
Aribisogan was elected as the new Speaker of the House of Assembly following the death of the late Speaker, Funminyi Afuye.
Recall that Aribisogan had on Tuesday emerged as the new Speaker despite efforts by the immediate former governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi to impose his candidate, Chief Bunmi Adelugba on the people, in a move to retain control of the state legislature.
Sources gathered that Fayemi disrespected the state governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji in his move to ensure Adelugba, who represents the Emure constituency, emerged as the Speaker.
Sources said Fayemi on Sunday summoned top politicians in the state to his house and categorically told them to support Adelugba for the vacant position. He, however, failed to invite the governor to the gathering where the plot was being made to technically give himself a third term in office by retaining control of the House.
Fayemi and Oyebanji, whom he supported to succeed him in the office are already at loggerheads less than a month after the latter took the oath of office, Sahara Reporters reports.
Regarding the police invasion of the Assembly complex on Wednesday, a source told SaharaReporters that it was all a ploy to disrupt Aribisogan’s reign as the Speaker.
Source: Sahara Reporters
