Precious Oham
The Ekiti chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has questioned the neutrality of some elders in the state over their criticism of the State Assembly crisis.
According to the party, there is no wisdom in the claims of serious conflict capable of affecting the peace of the state.
Recall that the Ekiti Council of Elders, the Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola and Chairman, Body of Benchers, Wole Olanipekun, condemned the crisis rocking the State Assembly saying it is unacceptable.
Reacting to the comments of the elders, the APC in a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, on Friday in Ado-Ekiti, described it as an offence to the rule of natural justice, equity and good conscience.
The statement reads: “That by and large, the neutrality of these wisemen is questionable, and we are questioning it. Having relied majorly on the version of just a party in a matter is described as the proverbial wicked act by elder(s) who judged based on one-sided narration.
“That these elders have deliberately omitted reaching out to all other parties involved, which in this regard include the new Speaker, the parent political party, APC, and the notable party leaders they have alleged.
“That it offends the rule of natural justice, equity and good conscience for them to have come to judgement on the statement of one party in what they referred to as a serious conflict capable of affecting the peace of the state they claimed to have loved so much.
“Peradventure the so called elders had made their comments without recourse to all the above facts, we would regard such comments as made in error and advice them to retract them in the spirit of fairness, equity and justice.
“That having acted in accordance with the law, we know the circumstances that can compel us to reverse our decision and none has arisen as yet.
“Anyhow, what the legal legends have done is tantamount to giving their piece of advice on a raging issue and not imposing on anyone, so we conclude.
“We will therefore continue to regard them as illustrious sons of our dear state, Ekiti, who would not want things to degenerate and we weigh their advice dispassionately.”