A former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Dele Olugbemi, on Friday alleged that he was sacked as a commissioner on the board of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) by Governor Ayodele Fayose for supporting the governorship ambition of the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party National Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye.

Adeyeye, a former minister of state (Works) is one of the serious contenders for next year’s governorship poll in the state on the platform of the party.

Olugbemi’s sack came barely 24 hours two members of the state House of Assembly- Hon. Michael Adedeji (Ekiti Southwest 2) and Hon. Ojo Ade Fajana (Ekiti East 1) were accused of having “unholy alliance” with Senator Biodun Olujimi, also a governorship aspirant on the platform of the PDP.

At a press conference addressed by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Samuel Omotoso, Adedeji dismissed the claim saying his loyalty remained with the assembly and Governor Fayose.

He also read a letter of apology written to the Assembly begging for “forgiveness”.

Olujimi had since described the action of the Assembly as childish, saying: “They are just hiding behind one finger. They are laying cheap and small boys politics, using worn out tricks. Let them try new tricks. It is because they know that I have ambition to be governor of Ekiti State that they are doing this”.

A former Deputy Governor, Chief Abiodun Aluko, who is also nursing a governorship ambition had earlier in the week resigned his membership from the party accusing Fayose of alleged dictatorial tendencies, hounding fellow governorship aspirants and running the party like his (Fayose’s) personal estate.

Confirming his removal, Olugbemi told Daily Trust in a telephone interview no reason was given in the letter conveying his sack. He alleged that he was being allegedly persecuted by the governor for backing the governorship ambition of Adeyeye but said that his sack would not deter him from supporting Adeyeye.

Responding on behalf of the governor, his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, said he was not aware of it.

But Olugbemi maintained that, “It is true that Governor Fayose has removed me as Commissioner in SUBEB and it is because of my support for the governorship ambition of Adeyeye. He (Fayose) thanked me in the letter for my service to the state and party (PDP) wishing me well in my future endeavour.

“Adeyeye is in PDP and I am also in PDP, he (Fayose) can’t decide for others who they will support and despite what has just happened, I will continue my support for Adeyeye because I believe in him.

“My sack from Fayose’s government won’t deter me from supporting Adeyeye because the party wants the governorship slot to go to Ekiti South and Adeyeye is from Ekiti South and that is why we are working for him.”

Olugbemi was one of the six All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers that defected to the PDP on the day Fayose was sworn to office and was “elected” as “Speaker” by five members of the Fourth Assembly who claimed to have “impeached” former Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin in November 2014.

The controversial former speaker headed the assembly until June 2015 when the Fifth Assembly members who are currently in office were inaugurated.

He was later appointed a Commissioner in the House of Assembly Service Commission but declined, saying the appointment did not befit his status. (Daily trust)

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