From Ifedayo Sayo, Ado-Ekiti

The peace brokered by the state Council of Obas involved sharing of offices between the two dominant political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and AC in the 26-member Assembly. Both parties have 13 members each in the House. Yesterday's sitting was the first to be attended by the AC lawmakers.

The assembly had been unable to function due to the refusal of the AC legislators to take their seats as a result of the amended standing order of the legislature which they claimed ran contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

Essentially, the AC lawmakers were challenging the standing order which, provides that the officers of the assembly shall be elected among the ranks of the ruling party members.

The AC lawmakers claimed that the constitution gives all members the free will to elect their leaders among their ranks as against the provision of the standing order which makes the election the prerogative of the ruling party.

Following the boycott of the assembly, the 13 PDP members went ahead to perform the inauguration of the assembly and elected Mr. Femi Bamisile as Speaker and Mr. Adebayo Morakinyo as his deputy.

The AC lawmakers claimed that the inauguration of the assembly in their absence fell short of the mandatory 24 members which the constitution prescribed must be present before any inauguration could take place, saying the 13 PDP lawmakers could not constitute the House for the purpose of inauguration.

Subsequently, the 13 AC lawmakers instituted a suit challenging the constitutionality of the standing order. They also prayed the court to declare all actions taken based on the standing order null and void.

But as the case was about to be heard, the state government, Bamisile and Morakinyo, the respondents opted for out-of-court settlement. Though, this was opposed by the AC lawmakers, the trial judge adjourned the suit for amicable settlement.

The ruling of the court provided the state monarchs the opportunity to intervene in the dispute. The monarchs invited the two parties to a meeting where they appealed to them to give peace a chance.

After three meetings, the monarchs were able to resolve the dispute by asking the AC to concede the post of Speakership to the PDP and fill the post of Deputy Speaker.

Though, the two parties agreed, the peace accord nearly suffered another set back yesterday shortly before the assembly commenced its session as the two parties, AC and PDP lawmakers gave different interpretations to the agreement.

The minor disagreement stalled the sitting of the assembly which the AC lawmakers were attending for the first time since the initial sitting ended in a fracas, for over three hours.

The royal fathers in attendance had to wait for more than three hours for the two parties to resolve their differences. When it became obvious that they may not agree, the monarchs led by the Oluyin of Iyin, Oba Ademola Ajakaye had to intervene and resolve the dispute.

The disagreement bothered on which party should nominate the Deputy Speaker. While the AC lawmakers wanted to nominate from among themselves who should become the new Deputy Speaker, the PDP legislators claimed that they would do it for them.

It was later agreed that the factional Deputy Speaker, Morakinyo who was to vacate his position as deputy Speaker be allowed to nominate his successor whom the AC had already picked at their caucus meeting. With the resolution of the minor disagreement, the lawmakers took their seats and the assembly went into session.

Bamisile who was presiding over a full House later administered the oath of office and oath of allegiance on the AC lawmakers to the admiration of their PDP colleagues who cheered them.

Immediately the AC lawmakers took their oath of office, Bamisile announced to the whole House that Morakinyo has tendered his resignation as the Deputy Speaker.

Morakinyo in his letter of resignation read on the floor of the House said he quit the position due to the prevailing political situation in the state and to express his support for the resolution of the crisis in the Assembly.

He pointed out that the state is bigger than any individual and that there is no sacrifice that can be too much to make for the peace and progress of the state, saying he believed that his action would move the state and the Assembly forward.

Morakinyo who later took the floor said the political leaning of members is not what matters but what they are able to do for the good of the state, adding that any differences that arise among members should be settled amicably without undue interference from outside.

Speaking in the same vein, the AC leader in the assembly, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye said the misunderstanding was for the good of democracy, adding that actions taken would help to strengthen the nation's democracy.

PDP Leader, Mr. Layi Oke hailed Morakinyo for the sacrifice he made saying the people of the state would remain grateful to him.

Morakinyo later nominated Mr. Saliu Adeoti as the deputy Speaker. He was seconded by Mr Samuel Adewale (AC, Emure constituency). His nomination was unanimously supported by other members of the assembly.

Bamisile announced to the House that the officers of the AC in the assembly have been nominated. They are Mr Funminiyi Afuye, (Leader); Mr Gbenga Odebunmi, (Deputy Leader); Mr. Churchill Adedipe (Whip); and Mr Rotimi Ajidara, (Deputy Whip).

The PDP already has its officers appointed among themselves during the period of the crisis in the assembly. They are Mr Layi Oke, leader of government business and Mr Adeolu Aluko whip.

Meanwhile, the AC has commended the state Council of Obas for resolving the crisis.

The party in a statement yesterday noted that the crisis was induced by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through the unpopular amendment of the standing order of the Assembly, saying the AC as a party would never support any illegal act done by the PDP.

The statement reads: "We commend the efforts of our royal fathers in Ekiti who have timely waded into the PDP-induced crisis in Ekiti State, arising from the obnoxious standing order which the PDP imported into the House statutes.

" On our part, we have reiterated an unimpeachable resolve to stick to rule of law and encourage our Assembly members to operate within constitutional cover. The foundation of our party, Action Congress stands on justice, fair play and truth; hence our conduct is a reflection of these ideals. Despite the fact that the PDP is still in a forceful custody of the mandate freely given to us on April 14, 2007 by Ekiti people, we have not resorted to political rough tackles.

"We are only at a great loss why the PDP is amassing debris of illegalities to remain afloat, which led to the recent hoo-ha. Since we are for peace, we are equally ready to seek for this even at our inconvenience. We really appreciate the great concern of our Obas whom we know would not allow a descent into anarchy, their hard won treasured - Ekiti State.

"We want Ekiti to move forward and we daily work for this. We identify with the patriotic intervention of our royal fathers and we have taken in transparent measures all their pleas and advice.

"Our fervent prayer is that the PDP would not see this royal truce as a precursor to foment further constitutional and political heresies, relying on our royal fathers to once again come to their rescue. Democracy is surely a game but a peaceful co-existence is only a product of give and take. The PDP government in Ekiti State must use this to learn a useful lesson in humility and political decorum."