LAWYER GO HEAD TO HEAD WITH GOVERNOR OVER STRIKE DECISION

Ekiti State governor in person of His Excellency Ayodele Fayose has been sued over his decision to join Ekiti workers in an indefinite strike – A lawyer, Kabir Akingbolu, who sued the governor, said he violated the oath of office for not handing over to his deputy – He is asking the court to declare that Fayose has lost his position as governor of Ekiti state Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state has been dragged before a Federal High Court in Lagos for joining workers of the state’s civil service in their industrial action.

A lawyer, Kabir Akingbolu, who sued the governor, argued that Fayose’s decision to join the workers’ on strike amounted to abdication of duties, Premium Times reports.

In his suit, Akingbolu is praying the court to declare that Fayose has lost his position as governor for failing to transmit power to his deputy as envisaged by the constitution when he went on strike. In his originating summons, the lawyer argued: “Considering the provision of Section 176 subsection 1 and 2 of the constitution whether the abdication of duty by the 1st Defendant in reckless abandonment is not a violation of Oath of office taken by him as governor of Ekiti.” He also sought, among others, an order directing President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in the state “to avert breaking down of law and order, since there is a vacuum in governance.” Joined as defendants in the suit are the state’s attorney general, Accountant-General of the Federation, and the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Ekiti workers are being owed five months salaries and they decided to embark on an indefinite strike. All entreaties by Fayose and stakeholders to placate the striking workers were futile, as Labour leaders insisted that negotiation could only happen when salaries are paid. On June 4, Fayose announced in a televised broadcast that he was joining the workers’ indefinite strike in solidarity with them. “I want to tell workers that I have placed myself on indefinite strike in solidarity with you,” he was quoted as saying.