AFTER a four-month hiatus, the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers met yesterday at the Ekiti State House of Assembly.
They stormed the Assembly less than 12 hours after the APC’s presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, was declared president-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Their presence stunned Assembly workers, as they headed for the chambers to hold their first legislative
meeting since they were forced out in controversial circumstances last November.
Led by the Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin, the 19 APC lawmakers said they were back to assume their official duties in accordance with the people’s mandate given to them.
It was learnt the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction of seven, Dele Olugbemi, was in his office same time the 19 were meeting.
Soldiers and policemen later came to the complex after the APC lawmakers had concluded their meeting to put the situation under control.
The Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, who led about 100 policemen and soldiers, ordered the closure of the complex to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The seven PDP legislators on November 17 last year “elected” Olugbemi as “protem speaker” to screen and ratify Governor Ayo Fayose’s three commissioners and local government caretaker committee members.
They returned to the complex on November 20 and “impeached” Omirin, without the constitutionally-required 18 lawmakers.
Omirin led the APC legislators to the Assembly in a convoy of 14 vehicles at 11.30 am.
They observed a praise-and-worship session with an opening prayer led by the member representing Efon, Folorunso Ogundele.
After meeting for 10 minutes, the APC lawmakers briefed reporters waiting outside.
On emerging from the inner recesses of the Assembly complex, some of the APC Assemblymen chanted “Sai Buhari…Sai Baba.”
Omirin said they came back to begin their legislative duties, saying the people should not be surprised by their presence.
He described Olugbemi as an impostor, stressing that the legitimate speaker is back and that “nobody dares stand in his way.”
Omirin said: “Why are you surprised that we are here? I don’t expect you to be surprised that we are in our offices because we are duly elected as members of the House of Assembly.
“This is my office and I shouldn’t be asked why I am here. Though I have instituted a case challenging the fake impeachment against me, that will not prevent us from doing what we are supposed to do.”
When asked whether Buhari’s victory prompted their action, Omirin said “no, that is not true. It was just mere coincidence. Don’t forget the fact that because I have not been here since November does not mean I have not been performing my duties. So, whether Buhari is declared or not, we have to do our work.
“I have been attending Speakers’ meetings in Abuja and attending to my people at my constituency, so we haven’t abdicated our duties”.
Efforts by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations, to pacify the APC lawmakers not to reconvene failed.
When Olugbemi emerged from his office, he criticised the police commissioner for closing down the complex.
He said: “Commissioner, I don’t think it was right to close down the Assembly. We have the capacity to contain the APC lawmakers. We are ready to meet them fire for fire.”