APC tackles Fayose over ‘breach of protocol’ at budget presentation

All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, over alleged “breach of protocol” during the presentation of Appropriation Bill at the state House of Assembly on Tuesday.

The party condemned Fayose’s action of bringing out a gavel and symbolically “passing” the budget into law after presenting the proposal to lawmakers.

The opposition argued that apart from his action of brandishing the gavel, the governor’s decision to wear a t-shirt and jeans instead of official attire of full native dress or English dress at such occasion diminishes the office he occupies.

The APC in a statement issued on Thursday by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said it was regrettable that the lawmakers allowed the governor to get away with the breach of official protocol that diminished the integrity of the Assembly, an institution that must keep its rules.

Regretting that the governor was “running state affairs like a bukateria,” Olatunbosun said:”The world watched in disbelief as Governor Fayose stormed the House of Assembly during presentation of his 2016 budget proposal in casual dress as against the official prescription of full native dress or complete English suit during such sittings.

“The governor’s appearance before the House of Assembly in a garage tout manner is uncultured and flagrant disregards for rule of law and constituted authority. It is ungovernorship, a violation of law and order, unruly, and an abuse of power.

“We saw the first public declaration of loyalty by the Assembly members on the day of inauguration when they all prostrated for Fayose in the chambers, stating he is their father. Little wonder that the speaker and the leadership of the house were not bold enough to tutor or caution him on the official mode of dressing allowed in the hallowed chamber when he presented the budget.

“More shock came when the governor grabbed the gavel, one of the official symbols of authority of the Assembly, and started conducting a mock sitting while his thugs in the gallery acting as the honourable members were responding to his question on who supported and against the quick passage of the budget.”

thenation