By Gbenga Ariyibi

ADO EKITI—THE embattled Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr. Wale Omirin, has dispelled the rumour of assassination attempt on his life, just as Ekiti State Police Command has waded into the crisis rocking the state House of Assembly.

Hon. Omirin

The social media was awash earlier in the day with the story of an attempt on Omirin’s life and his party, All Progressives Congress, APC, issued a statement condemning the supposed development.

Omirin, who spoke shortly after a meeting with the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, yesterday, in Ado Ekiti, said nobody made an attempt on his life, describing the rumour as unfounded.

Omirin, who disclosed that plans were on to reconcile the feuding APC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmakers in the House, assured that he and other 18 lawmakers belonging to APC would resume in the Assembly as soon as the coast was clear.

The lawmaker said he had started speaking with security agencies, traditional rulers and prominent Ekiti indigenes on the need to reconcile the groups in the overall interest of the people of the state.

His words: “I am a man of peace. I have always assured Governor Ayodele Fayose of my cooperation and that there was nothing like impeachment plan against him. As far as I am concerned, we are not in Ekiti to foment trouble.

Ready to partner Gov Fayose

“We are ready to partner the governor to move the state forward. He should not see us as enemies. We are ready to resume duty as soon as the process is complete and we feel the coast is clear.”

Speaking on the assassination attempt on him, Omirin said: “Some people said they saw some strange faces around my house on Monday and I think that accounted for the rumour. But I want to say there was nothing like that.”

Reacting to the rumour, the state Secretary of PDP, Dr. Tope Aluko, who dismissed same, said APC was noted for disseminating negative stories and comments.

He said: “Everybody know that APC has a habit of accusing others of doing what they have in mind to do. We are using this opportunity to call on the law enforcement agents operating in the state to brace up.

“They should dig deep into the allegation. Perhaps, APC is planning something and they should watch out.”

Meanwhile, state Police Commissioner, Mr. Lakanu, has assured the people of the state that police would always give them protection, irrespective of status or political affiliations.

He said the command received a call from Omirin on Monday night that he was in the state and he lead a team of policemen to his private house to give him protection and assure him that himself and his colleagues were safe.

He said: “Omirin has even assured us in writing that he will not make inciting statements and that he will embrace peace.”

… as Fayose promises

to pay outstanding salaries

In another development, the Special Assistant to the Governor of Ekiti State on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka has assured that the Ayodele Fayose-led government will pay all outstanding salaries and benefits of workers in the state.

Olayinka said in a statement yesterday that the Fayose administration had been paying workers salary since its emergence in October 2014.