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SHOT EKITI LAWMAKER DIES IN HOSPITAL, FAYEMI, OTHERS SHOCKED
ABIODUN NEJO
The member of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Michael Adedeji, who was shot by unknown gunmen on Friday last week in Ado Ekiti, is dead. The lawmaker, who was shot in the head was receiving medical attention at Federal University Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti (FETHI) where he passed on in the early hours of Monday.
Adedeji, 40, representing Ekiti Southwest Constituency II, was shot by the gunmen who trailed him into Ado Ekiti metropolis while returning to the state from Akure, Ondo State capital.
The Leader of Business, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Gboyega Aribisogan, who confirmed that the lawmaker died on Monday morning, linked the attack to assassination, saying “none of his belongings was taken away by the assailants.
“Some people threatened him on Facebook that they would deal with him for betraying former Governor Ayodele Fayose. They were not happy with the way the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker had been cooperating with Governor Kayode Fayemi.
“They trailed him from Akure and when he thought he could take a detour and escape, they shot him at close range from where the killers were hiding, so the killing was predetermined”.
Aribisogan disclosed that another member of the House, Hon Cecilia Dada, was being threatened some individuals, adding: “We have prepared a letter to security agencies and we are going to hold a plenary to decide when the burial will hold”.
Meanwhile, Governor Fayemi had described the killing as unfortunate and shocking, urging the security agencies in the state to fish out the killers and also stop all politically motivated killings.
Fayemi said: “This death came to us as shocking. But we are going to put up new security measures to ensure that Ekiti is safe for all of us. The kind of security we are going to put in place won’t be one that will make government part of security agents like we have in the past. We will allow them do their jobs while we provide the needed logistics.
“This is a challenge that the security agencies must do more to protect our people. They have to be alive to their responsibilities”, he said.
Fayemi spoke in Ado Ekiti while swearing-in the new Secretary to the State Government, Mr Biodun Oyebanji: his Chief of Staff, Biodun Omoleye: Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Wale Fapohunda and the Commissioner for Justice, Mr Dapo Kolawole.
The governor urged the new appointees to see hardwork, diligence and honesty as their watchwords, saying they should also be loyal to the government and the people at the grassroots. He cautioned: “Whoever is found among you not doing enough to be close to the people at the grassroots and also loyal to the government by being honest and hardworking will be relieved of his position.
“Ekiti people are expecting much from us and that was why they voted for us. We have to buckle up and work hard so that we won’t betray the people’s confidence in this government”, Fayemi said.