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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Emergency order in Nigerian state | Emergency order in Nigerian state |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared a state of emergency in Ekiti State, following the impeachment of the local governor for corruption. | Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared a state of emergency in Ekiti State, following the impeachment of the local governor for corruption. |
| Mr Obasanjo said he was taking action because the governor's sacking had been unconstitutional, and to prevent Ekiti descending into chaos. | Mr Obasanjo said he was taking action because the governor's sacking had been unconstitutional, and to prevent Ekiti descending into chaos. |
| Both the chief justice and the attorney-general have said Ayo Fayose's sacking was illegal. | Both the chief justice and the attorney-general have said Ayo Fayose's sacking was illegal. |
| Political tension is rising in Nigeria, ahead of elections next year. | Political tension is rising in Nigeria, ahead of elections next year. |
| Mr Fayose has denied reports that he had fled the country, saying he was in hiding because he feared for his life but remained governor. | Mr Fayose has denied reports that he had fled the country, saying he was in hiding because he feared for his life but remained governor. |
| His deputy Biodun Olujimi, who was also impeached, says she is now acting governor, although the state assembly has installed former speaker Friday Aderemi. | His deputy Biodun Olujimi, who was also impeached, says she is now acting governor, although the state assembly has installed former speaker Friday Aderemi. |
| 'Ridiculous' | 'Ridiculous' |
| President Obasanjo told national television that the governor's impeachment was "a clear case of usurpation of power." | President Obasanjo told national television that the governor's impeachment was "a clear case of usurpation of power." |
| "We have come to a sad, ridiculous and unacceptable situation in Ekiti where we have three governors." | "We have come to a sad, ridiculous and unacceptable situation in Ekiti where we have three governors." |
| "It is dangerous for our democracy to allow this flagrant violation." | "It is dangerous for our democracy to allow this flagrant violation." |
| Brigadier General Tunji Olorun (rtd), a former military state governor has been appointed for six months and is to be sworn in in Abuja later on Thursday. | Brigadier General Tunji Olorun (rtd), a former military state governor has been appointed for six months and is to be sworn in in Abuja later on Thursday. |
| Ekiti State is only the second state to witness a state of emergency in Nigeria since President Obasanjo came to power in 1999. | Ekiti State is only the second state to witness a state of emergency in Nigeria since President Obasanjo came to power in 1999. |
| Plateau State was placed under a state of emergency for nine months in 2004 after ethnic violence. | |
| Governors under fire | Governors under fire |
| On Monday, Ekiti State House of Assembly voted to remove Mr Fayose from power but several senior officials have condemned the impeachment. | On Monday, Ekiti State House of Assembly voted to remove Mr Fayose from power but several senior officials have condemned the impeachment. |
| The Nigerian Bar Association called for a boycott of Ekiti State courts until the matter was resolved. | The Nigerian Bar Association called for a boycott of Ekiti State courts until the matter was resolved. |
| Nigeria's remaining 35 governors met President Obasanjo and informed him that they would not accept Mr Aderemi at their Governors' Forum. | Nigeria's remaining 35 governors met President Obasanjo and informed him that they would not accept Mr Aderemi at their Governors' Forum. |
| If the Ekiti State matter is not resolved, it could turn into a major crisis for the whole country, says the BBC's Mannir Dan Ali in Abuja. | If the Ekiti State matter is not resolved, it could turn into a major crisis for the whole country, says the BBC's Mannir Dan Ali in Abuja. |
| Some senior Nigerian lawyers, however, say the impeachment reflected the "beauty of democracy". | Some senior Nigerian lawyers, however, say the impeachment reflected the "beauty of democracy". |
| Mr Fayose is the third governor to be impeached since Nigeria returned to multiparty democracy in 1999. | Mr Fayose is the third governor to be impeached since Nigeria returned to multiparty democracy in 1999. |
| Two other governors are currently facing impeachment proceedings from their local legislatures over allegations of corruption. | Two other governors are currently facing impeachment proceedings from their local legislatures over allegations of corruption. |
| Nigeria's anti-corruption agency says it is investigating two-thirds of the country's governors. | Nigeria's anti-corruption agency says it is investigating two-thirds of the country's governors. |
| While Mr Fayose was being sacked, MPs in Anambra State began impeachment proceedings against Governor Peter Obi. | While Mr Fayose was being sacked, MPs in Anambra State began impeachment proceedings against Governor Peter Obi. |
| Early last week, Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye was served with an impeachment notice in controversial circumstances that sparked riots in the central state. | Early last week, Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye was served with an impeachment notice in controversial circumstances that sparked riots in the central state. |
| Critics of President Obasanjo say his anti-corruption drive is a cover for a political witch-hunt. | Critics of President Obasanjo say his anti-corruption drive is a cover for a political witch-hunt. |