EKITI State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Olusola Ayoka Adebayo, who resigned her appointment Tuesday, made a complete U-turn yesterday, and agreed to conclude the re-run election in the state.

Her decision followed a meeting with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Maurice Iwu and top management of the Commission.

After the meeting, Mrs. Adebayo emerged to meet a large number of journalists who kept vigil for her at the entrance to the Commission's headquarters, but refused to say much, in spite of probing questions of the newsmen.

Reacting to a question on whether she will conclude the election, she responded: "Yes, I am still the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Ekiti and the election will be concluded by me".

Asked when she would conclude the re-run election, Mrs Adebayo echoed: "No comments, no comments" before she was whisked away in a metallic grey Mercedes ML350 with number plates CN507ABJ.

Asked whether she was the author of the resignation letter that was circulated to media houses on Tuesday, Mrs. Adebayo shouted "God bless Nigeria".

It was widely reported in the media that the REC had resigned her appointment with the apex electoral body on Tuesday.

The Federal Government rejected her resignation, while the Police threatened to declare her wanted if she does not reappear in 24 hours before she surprisingly surfaced at the INEC HQ.

She was declared wanted by the federal authorities in a press conference jointly addressed by the Minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili; the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro and the INEC Chairman, Prof Maurice Iwu.

Half-nude women stage protest

Meanwhile, Ekiti traditional rulers yesterday called for fasting and prayers for three days so that peace could reign before, during and after the remaining part of the re-run election, even as some half-naked women staged a peaceful protest in the streets of Ado Ekiti, pressing for the release of last Saturday's election in the state.

The monarchs in a communiqué issued after their emergency meeting in Ado Ekiti yesterday urged the people of the state to embark on fasting and prayer for three days to avert imminent danger.

The monarchs called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly see to the conduct of the election in Oye Local Government without further delay "as continuous delay on the part of INEC can lead to increase in tension which is already palpable in the state."

The communiqué signed by the chairman of the council, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare urged the general public to go about their duties without molestation

The protesting women who trooped out in their scores frowned at the delay in announcing the winner of the April 25 governorship re-run election in the state.

Operating under the umbrella of Ekiti Women for Peace, the placard-carrying women commenced their procession at about 9.35 am from Fajuyi Park to Ajilosun area of the town.

The sight of the half-naked women who came from the 16 local government areas of the state, especially the old ones, sent people off the streets, as the sight is considered a taboo in the south west part of the country.

The protesters who were led by the President of Ekiti Women for Peace, Mrs. Ronke Okusanya, were later joined in the march by the wives of the AC candidate, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi and the AC deputy governorship candidate, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka.

Soldiers sighted again in Ado Ekiti

Soldiers were once again sighted in Ado Ekiti, the state capital yesterday.

The soldiers who are apparently from the 19th Battalion of the Nigeria Army, arrived Ado Ekiti at 4.05 pm, 5.30 pm and 6.30 pm respectively in three batches of three big lorries, four pick-up vans and a Hilux bus with their leader in a separate official car en route Akure, passing through Ajilosun Street down to Irona Street in the state capital

Their mission and destination was not immediately known, but an unconfirmed security source told Vanguard that the presence of the soldiers in the state may not be unconnected with the present political logjam in the state

The source further disclosed that the Army personnel may stay in the state to assist the Police and other security agencies during the resheduled election in Oye Wards 1 and 2 and may still be around till the time the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would announce winner of the gubernatorial re-run election in the state.

Asked to comment on the presence of the soldiers, the Chief Press Secretary to the Acting Governor, Mr Rotimi Ajisola, said he was yet to be officially briefed on the soldiers' mission.

Acting gov calls for calm

Meanwhile, the acting governor of the state, Mr Tunji Odeyemi, has urged the people of the state to remain calm and allow INEC to complete its assignment

Odeyemi in a radio broadcast to the people of the state yesterday, warned the politicians who are out to set the state on fire to have a rethink, saying his administration would not hesitate to bring to book those who are working against the interest of the state.