"You can’t arrest us" Omirin tells Governor Ayo Fayose

THE embattled Speaker of the Ekiti State House of
Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin, has reacted to the alleged directive by Governor Ayodele Fayose, asking the Commissioner of Police to arrest the 19 All Progressives Congress lawmakers in the state.

Omirin, in a statement by his Special Adviser on
Media, Wole Olujobi, said that the APC lawmakers
acted within the law to conduct their sitting in a
public building in the state capital last Friday.
He said, "The governor or the police cannot arrest us for performing our constitutional duty. Section
101 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria makes it explicit that the House can regulate its activities, including conducting its
sittings in public buildings in the state capital.
"The Supreme Court had also ruled that the House can conduct its sittings in public places in the state capital if conditions exist that endanger
members in the conduct of their sittings.
"Governor Fayose has kept armed thugs permanently in the House of Assembly to attack us. We can't put ourselves in harm's way, yet we
have a responsibility to our constituents to make laws for good governance. That is why we
followed the law to sit to consider issues on the ongoing constitutional amendment."
Omirin explained that the House had a
responsibility to respond to the National Assembly
demand to send Ekiti State contributions to the
constitutional amendment process.
"Ekiti State has just one House of Assembly. That
is why the National Assembly acknowledged the
receipt of our resolutions on the constitutional
amendment.
"If they are sure of their status, let them
approach the National Assembly or the judiciary
for recognition," he added.
Omirin said it was regrettable that Fayose had not
learnt from his past experience when he allegedly
instigated a constitutional crisis that led to the
declaration of the state of emergency and the
governor's impeachment in 2006.
He told the Ekiti CP, Taiwo Lakanu, not to allow
himself to be dragged into the political fray in the
state, warning that the governor would bear the
consequences if he caused conditions that could
threaten good governance in Ekiti.

Culled:
www.punchng.com/news/you-cant-arrest-us-omirin-tells-fayose-2/