by Abdulsalam Abdullah
Ayo Fayose, former Ekiti state governor
Ayodele Fayose, former Ekiti governor, says only fasting and prayers can save Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state, from impeachment.
Fayose spoke on Friday in a Channels Television interview in reaction to the rift between Fubara and the Rivers state house of assembly.
The assembly on Thursday initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara and Ngozi Odu, deputy governor of Rivers, over allegations of “gross misconduct”.
Martins Amaewhule, speaker of the Rivers assembly, had accused the governor and his deputy of constituting a threat to democracy.
Amaewhule also faulted Fubara for allegedly refusing to present the state budget in line with constitutional provisions.
Enemi George, chairman of the house committee on information, petitions and complaints, said notices of gross misconduct had been forwarded to Fubara and Odu.
During the interview, Fayose urged Fubara to reconcile with Nyesom Wike, former Rivers governor and minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Fayose criticised the governor for appointing cabinet members and spending public funds without the approval of the state assembly.
“I’m not a prophet, so many prayers would be said to save Fubara. So many fasts and prayers would be the only thing that would save Fubara in this one,” Fayose said.
“My prayer is that God will enter his mind, and the president will help calm him down.”
The former Ekiti governor said he never anticipated a political fallout between Fubara and Wike.
“Let me quickly say this: I never knew this thing would ever happen between Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike,” Fayose said.
He recalled events surrounding Fubara’s swearing-in ceremony.
“I was sitting on the high table the day Governor Fubara was sworn in,” he said.
“And I told Wike that I want to say one or two things to Fubara not to betray you.
“He said, ‘I should not say it; he cannot do it’.”
Fayose was sworn in for his first term as Ekiti governor in 2003, but he was impeached in 2006 over alleged mismanagement of state funds.
However, in 2014, the supreme court nullified the impeachment.
In June 2014, Fayose again contested the Ekiti governorship election and defeated the incumbent, Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Fayose was inaugurated for his second term in October 2014 and served until 2018.
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Politics