By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has expressed commitment to the peace move initiated by elders in the state, led by Aare Afe Babalola, to find political solution to the crisis between the governor and 19 APC lawmakers of the state House of Assembly.

Governor Fayose said in a statement personally signed by him, that he was committed to the peace meeting scheduled to hold tomorrow at the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, adding: “The peace of Ekiti State is far above all other interests and therefore everyone should support the elders’ peace efforts.”

The statement reads: “Ekiti elders, under the leadership of our highly respected legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola   (SAN), called a meeting between the two factions of the State House of Assembly to resolve politically, the crisis in the House of Assembly and I, as the state governor, do not have any objection because the peace of Ekiti is far above all other interests.

“The meeting is scheduled to hold at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti at 11am on Thursday.

“I, therefore, call on everybody to support this peace move and no one should do anything to undermine it.

“Knowing how agitated and concerned the people of Ekiti have been on this crisis, I wish to urge our people to give this peace effort a chance and I urge all security agencies in the state to see to it that adequate security is provided before, during and after the meeting.

“I thank Ekiti people for their unflinching support for the government and appeal to them to continue to maintain peace, bearing in mind that no society can progress in an atmosphere of rancour.”

We will honour the invitation – APC lawmakers

The 19 APC lawmakers however told Vanguard last night that they will honour the invitation by the Ekiti elders led by Aare Babalola.

Wole Olujobi, the spokesman for the factional Speaker, Dr Adewale Omirin, said:‘’ The honourable members will honour the invitation by Chief Afe Babalola on Thursday because APC lawmakers are also for peace as they have always demonstrated.

‘’The members will listen to the elder statesman but they will also present their case for the understanding of the peace-makers.

‘’It is good that the governor is now realising that grandstanding and vulgarity cannot solve the constitutional crisis he has created in the state since November last year.”