The ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State has reacted to the violence that marked Friday’s rally of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, during which some people were shot, saying that Fayemi and Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu should be blamed.
The APC had alleged that the shoot out that left several people injured, including Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, one of those that contested the governorship ticket with Fayemi, was an attempt, masterminded by the Gov. Ayo Fayose government using fake Policemen, to assassinate Fayemi,
A statement by Lere Olayinka, Director of Media and Publicity for the Kolapo Olusola Campaign Organisation (KOCO) said that Akeredolu brought thugs and Policemen from Ondo State who were responsible for the shooting and the mayhem that was later unleashed on parts of the state.
Full text of the statement reads:
Today, the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi invaded Ekiti State with armed policemen and thugs, throwing the State that has been peaceful since the advent of Governor Ayodele Fayose’s government into bloodshed.
Akeredolu led the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi to Ekiti in a show of federal might and in the process, seven people were hit by police bullets.
At the APC secretariat, one of the mobile policeman, was said to be using his gun to push away the thugs brought from Ondo State and the hoodlums in turn dragged the gun with him, leading to sporadic shootings that left six persons shot.
One of those injured was Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele. Five others also had gunshot injuries.
The APC thugs backed by armed policemen later went on rampage at Ojumose area of Ado Ekiti, destroying the canopies and chairs in front of the residence of late Prince Adegoke.
One of the Teargas cannisters fired by the policemen hit a Taxi driver, Odeyemi Olumide badly injuring him. He is now receiving treatment at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, alongside five others who were shot at the APC secretariat.
As usual, the APC went to town with story that the policeman who fired the shots at the party secretariat was fake.
However, information available to us is that the policeman was brought from Ondo State by Governor Akeredolu.
Consequently, we challenge the Police authority to release the identity of the police officer to the police and how he left Akure for Ado Ekiti.
We also wish to alert the public of the possibility of the APC shenanigans plotting to assassinate the policeman so as to sustain their lie that he is fake.
We make bold to say that Governor Akeredolu of Ondo State and Dr Fayemi must be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Ekiti State. We are aware of their mobilisation of thugs from Ondo State to Ekiti for the July 14 election. The governor even reportedly boasted that he was ready to spend two months allocation of Ondo State on Fayemi’s election.
The first manifestation of Governor Akeredolu’s plot to ensure that Ekiti is taken by force was the bloodshed witnessed in the State today.
Lastly, let Governor Akeredolu and his stooge, Kayode Fayemi know that Ekiti is not a state to be taken by force and annexed to Ondo State by anyone, our people will resist the APC agents of bloodshed.
Lere Olayinka
Director of Media and Publicity
Kolapo Olusola Campaign Organisation (KOCO)