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COMMUNIQUÉ ON THE MEETING OF EKITI SONS AND DAUGHTERS HELD IN LAGOS ON TUESDAY
 

August 29, 2006.

 

Murder of Dr. Ayodeji Daramola and the Rule of Terror In Ekiti State

 By Mobolaji ALUKO <alukome@gmail.com>

 

i)                      The meeting of "All Sons and Daughters" of Ekiti State was convened by E-eleven, A Forum of Ekiti Stakeholders.  The meeting which was attended by a large number of Ekiti indigenes within and outside Lagos, deliberated on the situation in Ekiti State which culminated in the recent cold-blooded, gruesome murder of Dr. Ayodeji Daramola in his hometown, Ijan Ekiti on August 14;

 

ii)                     The meeting unanimously condemned in very strong term the assassination of this illustrious son of Ekiti who vigorously committed himself to the development of the state and the well being of its citizens even outside the contest of traditional politics.   The meeting reviewed the history of serial killings, attempted assassinations, thuggery and the general level of violence in the state, all of which have become extremely embarrassing to the good people of Ekiti State;

 

iii)                   The meeting took very strong note and expressed deep appreciation of the worthy and immense contributions of Dr. Ayo Daramola which positively impacted on the social and economic well being of all the Local Government areas of the state in spite of all the obstacles put along his path by the present administration, obstacles he successfully overcame through sheer commitment to the singular goal of positively enhancing the standard of living of the people of the state on a sustainable basis;

 

iv)                   The meeting however expressed grave concern over the continuing systematic erosion of the values of accommodation, tolerance, integrity, dedication, industry and family bonding that have distinguished the Ekiti people through the ages;

 

v)                    Furthermore, the meeting expressed dismay over the emerging culture of gangsters, disrespect, arrogance, rascality, falsehood and brigandage that has characterized the social and political life of the state since the advent of the administration of Mr. Ayo Fayose;

 

vi)                   The meeting also reviewed the roles played by various individuals, state and federal organs in the creation of the siege environment under which Ekiti people now find themselves; expressed deep concern on the general level of insecurity and fear under which the people now live.  The meeting also took particular note of the role of busybodies, irresponsible journalists and influence peddlers that have sought to profit from the tragedy that Ekiti State has become under Mr. Ayo Fayose;

 

vii)                  The role played by some traditional rulers in the state was reviewed and the meeting condemned the activities of those of them who connived with Mr. Fayose and sold out their conscience, honour and royal integrity.   They betrayed their subjects and brought their institutions to disrepute in a moment of drunken stupor when they shamelessly proclaimed "Fayose for ever" in Ekiti State.   The meeting however praised the noble roles played by two Obas in particular – the Ewi of Ado Ekiti and the Onijan of Ijan.   The meeting commiserated with the Onijan and his people for the loss of Dr. Ayo Daramola to assassins.   The Obas were enjoined not to relent in their efforts to ensure that peace and harmony return to Ekiti land and evil is stamped out forever;

 

viii)                The meeting also took note of the very worthy and consistent efforts of some of our elders, particularly Chief Afe Babalola who in spite of continuous harassment, intimidation, insults and threat to his life has remained steadfast in his determination to ensure that evil does not triumph in Ekiti.   The meeting praised him for his effort whilst wishing him many more years of service to Ekiti and indeed to Nigeria.  In the same vein, the meeting also took note of the embarrassing conduct of some hitherto respected elders who, motivated by political and/or economic opportunism, with little tokens offered, soiled their hard-earned integrity in their misguided adventure of eulogizing the evil that is rampaging Ekiti land.  

 

 
ix)                     Finally, the meeting reviewed in general the history of politically motivated assassinations in the country and the inconclusive nature of all the investigations so far carried out by the Nigerian Police, including that of the late Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige, thus depriving the victims of such atrocities justice even in their graves.   In the particular case of Ekiti, the meeting observed with great disappointment the lukewarm attitude of the Nigeria Police to all the violence that the administration of Mr. Ayo Fayose has been perpetrating in the state since 2003;

 

x)                   We condemn Nigeria Police' inefficiency in not resolving any of the murders, attempted murders, violence, threat of violence and wanton destruction of property that has characterized governance in Ekiti State and some other parts of the country.

 

xi)                 The meeting however noted and commended  the efforts of the State Security Services (SSS) in Ekiti State for their more impartial attitude towards political violence and Executive lawlessness in the State, which has resulted in large turnover of its state leadership.   Without the objectivity displayed by the state's SSS which attempted to checkmate Mr. Fayose and his hired goons, it is frightening contemplating what the situation would have been;

 

xii)                Much praise was given to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its current effort to expose the monumental fraud perpetrated by Mr. Fayose and his administration.   The meeting expressed strong hope that the EFCC would carry its effort to a logical conclusion when the charade that goes on in Ekiti State as "grass-root" governance would be finally exposed;

 

In consideration of all the above and the need to address the legitimate security concerns of the honest, hardworking and peace-loving people of Ekiti State the meeting unanimously adopted the following resolutions:

 

1.              All Ekiti indigenes, indeed all the good people of Nigeria, are hereby enjoined to rally round and ensure that the death of Dr. Ayodeji Daramola shall not be in vain and indeed, must be the last of such in Ekiti in particular, and the entire nation in general.

 

2.              A fund, to be called the Dr. Ayodeji Daramola Children Education Endowment Fund is to be established and managed by select men and women of proven integrity to ensure that Dr. Daramola's children benefit from the enviable goodwill and dedication of their slain father thus rekindling and sustaining their now shattered hope of a Nigeria where "peace and justice reign".   In this regard, all patriots of Ekiti State and indeed all men and women across the entire nation who cherish service and dedication are hereby invited to make contribution to this fund, no matter how little.

 

3.              The state government under the leadership of Mr. Ayodele Fayose should be held accountable for creating, promoting and sustaining a climate of fear, intimidation and brigandage and condemned for this gruesome murder and similar ones in the past in the State. The security forces and investigating authorities are called upon to deal squarely and decisively with this case and ensure that justice is done while culprits are brought to book.   This must not be another case of unsolved murder as the people of Ekiti State are resolutely determined to ensure justice is done.

 

4.              The Nigerian Police in particular and indeed the Federal Administration are culpable for their criminal complicity in the enthronement of violence in Ekiti State as they ignored all tips and signals on Mr. Fayose's penchant for violence hitherto provided, thus encouraging him and his administration to continue with impunity in its recklessness and instinctive disposition towards deceit, empty propaganda, anarchy and political brigandage, behaviours that ordinarily would be associated with drug addicts and people of loose, criminal background.   It was emphasized that the violence and arson that followed the murder of Dr. Daramola was a direct measure of the extent to which the people of the State have lost confidence in the integrity of the police force following their track record of failure to discharge their duties and their complicity in the upsurge of violence in Ekiti State.

 

5.              To redeem its image, but more importantly, to satisfy the peoples' demand for justice, the Nigerian Police is hereby given 21 days ultimatum to use all means at its disposal to fish out the killers and those who sponsored the killing of Dr. Daramola failing which a coalition of civil society organizations in collaboration with international organizations and body of experts would embark on its own independent forensic investigation of the murder and make their findings public.

 

6.               For the record, it was noted that whereas in the case of the murder of Engr. Funso Williams in Lagos, the Nigeria Police wasted no time in soliciting the services of foreign forensic experts. In the case of Dr. Daramola, no such step has been taken. We may want to ask why this double standard. We therefore advocate that the police should immediately call for independent foreign forensic experts' assistance in this case since they have shown they lack expertise to unravel murders of this nature.

 

7.              The Nigerian Police is hereby called upon to reopen the case files on the murder of Mr. Tunde Omojola in Ifaki Ekiti, the murder of students of the College of Education in Ikere Ekiti, the near assassination of the erstwhile Chairman of Ado Local Government Council, Mr. Taiye Fasuba and all other cases of murder, attempted murder and arson committed in Ekiti since Fayose got to power.   In all these cases, the Nigerian Police had enough information to bring the culprits to book; instead they were all treated with levity that bordered on criminal complicity and professional ineptitude.   This must now be redressed.

 

8.              While thanking President Olusegun Obasanjo for setting up a security panel to investigate the case of attempted assassination of Chief Afe Babalola, we are calling on Mr. President to immediately call for the report of that investigation and arrest and bring to book all members of Fayose's death squad who are mentioned in the report.

 

9.              In relation to this, the current Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State should be redeployed with immediate effect as she has shown beyond doubt her incompetence to handle the situation in Ekiti State.   Pervasive rumour of her unholy relationship with Mr. Fayose are such that have impugned her professional and moral integrity as a security officer, hence her competence to handle the security needs and concerns of a state.

 

10.          The Police command in Ado Ekiti should be held responsible for this murder and for all the murder, attempted murder and willful arson conducted by members of the Fayose regime in Ekiti State for its failure to act in the face of all evidence available to it and for its refusal to provide Dr. Daramola with police protection despite the approval of the Inspector General of Police

 

11.          Mr. Ayo Fayose is hereby advised to save himself, the people of Ekiti State, the Peoples' Democratic Party, and indeed the nation any further embarrassment by resigning immediately as the Governor of Ekiti State failing which the State House of Assembly is hereby called upon to impeach him for gross executive misconduct and incompetence as Chief State Security officer without any further delay.

 

12.          The people of Ekiti State are hereby called upon to come out boldly and in unison to say, NEVER AGAIN to the reign of terror in the state.   Indigenes of Ekiti State must know by now that their salvation lies in their hand and must rise up to get rid of this raging bull in their china shop.  From Ikere to Ifaki to Ikole, Iyin, Omuo and now Ijan!   If nothing is done now, who knows where it will be next!!

 

13.          Regardless of what Mr. Fayose does, notice is hereby served him that an international coalition of legal experts is being assembled and would soon present a case of crime against humanity against him before the International Criminal Court.  Let him know now that he has no place to hide anymore.

 

14.          Notice is hereby served to all busybodies from within and outside of Ekiti State and particularly the Peoples Democratic Party leaders from outside who parade themselves as "godfathers" whilst seeking to extend the territorial range of their "garrison command"; political merchants who are shamelessly fabricating all sorts of falsehood to convince Mr. President that "without Fayose, there will be no more PDP in Ekiti State" when it is so obvious that it is Fayose that is killing PDP in the state and will ultimately bury it if he remains at the helm; corrupt journalists who specialize in peddling rumours and selling false stories for a mess of porridge thereby compromising the ethics of their profession; all these people are warned to steer clear of Ekiti and avoid compounding our problem.   To these people we say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!

 

15.          Meanwhile, notice is hereby given to all Ekitis and to all lovers of peace that we will soon launch an endowment fund for Dr. Daramola children and all others who have lost relations and property since the Fayose government came into being in 2003. The name of Dr Ayo Daramola and others will be officially memorialized and immortalized in Ekiti State, if not now, then immediately upon the exit of Mr. Fayose as governor.

 

16.          We will open a black book that will be archived both at home and abroad and that will exist in perpetuity to remind the Ekitis of the darkness that enveloped our land since Fayose became governor.

 

In conclusion, the meeting decided to do all within its power to ensure that peace returns to Ekiti land, a state we are all proud of and enjoin all to rise up in unison and proclaim NEVER AGAIN would there be a reign of terror and divisive politics in our state well known and envied for its homogeneity, and the accompanying values of integrity, hard work, respect for elders and excellence.

 

 

SIGNED

 

 
 

NAME

TOWN OF ORIGIN

 

 

 

 

Aare Femi Adebayo

Iyin-Ekiti

Abiodun Aluko

Ikere Ekiti

Abiodun Taiwo

Ado-Ekti

Ade Alofe

Ayetoro Ekiti

Adebayo Odeyemi

Ipao-Ekiti

Adebayo Olutobi

Iropora Ekiti

Adedipe Jamiu

Ado-Ekiti

Adedipe Olawale

Ado-Ekiti

Adekunle Adeyemo

Ado-Ekiti

Ademiluyi Adetope

Aramoko Ekiti

Ademola Salau

Igbemo Ekiti

Adeniyi Ajakaiye

Iyin-Ekiti

Agidigbi Odunayo

Ijesha Isu Ekiti

Ajakaiye Adewole .O.

Iyin-Ekiti

Ajakaiye Olutoyin (Mrs)

Ajepe Femi

Iyin-Ekiti

Ido - Ekiti

Ajiniran Femi

Ijesha-Isu-Ekiti

Akinola Oladimeji

Ikere-Ekiti

Akinyele Odunayo

Ikole Ekiti

Akosile Kolawole

Igbara –Odo

Ani Gbenga

Ado-Ekiti

Atolayan Thomas T.

Igogo Ekiti

Babafemi Ojudu

Babatunde B. Joseph

Ado Ekiti

Iyin Ekiti

Ben Oguntuase

Ikole-Ekiti

Biodun Adelabu

Ado-Ekiti

Bolanle Richard Bruce

Igede Ekiti

Bunmi Oriniowo

Ifishin-Ekiti

Chief Dipo Anisulowo

Are-Ekiti

Dada A. Babatunde

Efon Alaye

Dada Adekunle

Itaji Ekiti

Dada Ayodele Olu

Ipoti-Ekiti

 Dara Oseni

Ikole

Dare Daramola

Ijan-Ekiti

Dare Oguntuase

Ikole Ekiti

Dayo Kayode

Usi Ekiti

Deaconess Tunde Fajuyi

Ado-Ekiti

Dele Adesina

Fasuba Charles Abiodun

Ilawe Ekiti

Ado Ekiti

Femi Ayeni

Ijesha Isu Ekiti

Femi Falana

Ilawe-Ekiti

Femi Thomas

Ikoro-Ekiti

Gbenga Agbona

Ilawe Ekiti

J. O. Owoseni

Ipoti

Jide Ajayi

Iyin-Ekiti

Kayode Afolabi

Ado-Ekiti

 
 

Kayode Fayemi

Kayode Fayeun

Isan Ekiti

Ilawe-Ekiti

Kayode Steve Adaramoye

Ilumoba

Kola Adeniyi

Ilawe Ekiti

Kola Akosile

Usi Ekiti

Mike Awopetu

Ogotun Ekiti

Obembe Funmilayo

Ijesha –Isu-Ekiti

Ola Ogundolapo

Ikere-Ekiti

Olajide Odunayo

Ikoro Ekiti

Olanrewaju Alonge 

Ilupeju Ekiti

Olukayode Faluyi

Igogo-Ekiti

Omoshuli Oluwaseyi

Igbara-Odo Ekiti

Oso Olalekan

Ijesa-Isu Ekiti

Otunba Dayo Olarewaju

Ifaki-Ekiti

Oyebanji Abiodun

Ikogosi Ekiti

Popoola Ademola

Oyo-Ekiti

Sanmi Awosusi

Aramoko

Sanmi Omiata

Ado-Ekiti

Segun Ajibulu

Ipao Ekiti

Sola Alabi

Ado-Ekiti

Taiwo Ajayi

Ikole-Ekiti

Taiwo Faleye E

Igogo Ekiti

Tokie Adebayo

Usi-Ekiti

Tope Akinwumi

Ilawe-Ekiti

Tope Olowoyo

Iyin-Ekiti

Tunde Olofin

Iyin-Ekiti

Wole Ogunleye

Ado-Ekiti

Yemi Olayinka

Ado-Ekiti

 

 

 

 

 

 

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