Fayose Engaged Ekiti Speaker In War Of Words Over Closure Of Petrol Stations

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin, are currently engaged in a war of words over an announcement by the state government that petrol filling stations located in residential areas and near schools would be closed down.

The state government, via a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Idowu Adelusi, had announced the government’s decision and added that the closure of such stations would commence immediately.

Adelusi had also explained in the statement that anyone who had issues with the decision should visit the state Ministry of Environment with relevant documents to lodge their complaints.

However, Omirin had alleged in a statement, on Wednesday that he was a victim of a witch-hunt by the announcement and closure of his petrol filling station, adding that the action was because he had refused to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Omirin, who spoke through his media aide, Mr Wole Olujobi, said he was facing “intimidation and coercion,” saying this “will not force him to betray the people that voted me into office.”

According to him, “Dr. Adewale Omirin,  said that not even the shutting down of his fuel station by the state government will make him abandon his political party, the All Progressives Party, APC.”

According to Olujobi, Omirin claimed that “he fulfilled all necessary environmental laws in the location of the filling station and got necessary approval.”

Fayose in reaction denied the allegation, saying it was “total falsehood.”

Fayose through Adelusi said: “The essence of closing down petrol stations is to ensure sanity and safety in the state capital. Some petrol stations were cited in public institutions or residential areas and everybody knows the danger it can cause if there is fire outbreak which had happened in some towns where lives were lost and property destroyed.”

“ Even in Lagos State, you cannot just site petrol station anyhow.

Adelusi advised that “Omirin should have nothing to fear because the governor has nothing against him.”