Ekiti 2018: Violence Mar Ekiti PDP Special Ward Congress

Agency ReporterApril 22, 2018

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Special Ward Congress to elect delegates to vote at the governorship primary on May 8 which was conducted in Ekiti State on Saturday, April 22, was marred with violence in some local governments area of Ekiti State, especially the three local government area where the governorship aspirants were hailed from .

Newsflash247 reports that indications that the fragile peace may have broken down came as the political gladiators in the party squared it up in virtually all the 177 Wards, where elected delegates were expected to emerge, preparatory to the May 8 governorship primary in Ekiti State.

The major actors in PDP, like Governor Ayodele Fayose, former Minister of Works, Dayo Adeyeye and Senator representing Ekiti south, Sen. Abiodun Olujimi engaged in a battle of wits in the delegates’ election.

Fayose is backing his deputy, Prof Kolapo Olusola to succeed him in the July 14 governorship poll, while the duo of Adeyeye and Olujimi are also contesting for the same seat.

Tension was partucularly high in Ikere Ekiti and Ise Ekiti, the hometown of the Fayose’s deputy, Professor Kolapo Olusola and the Former Minister of Work, Prince Dayo Adeyeye respectively which the two aspirants believe to deliver the delegates from their hometown.

In Ise/Orun Local Government Area, the two factions belong to Olusola- Eleka and Adeyeye groups clashed where Hon Kolawole Ropo, the Chairman of Ise/Orun Local government area was attacked and vandalized his cars, the Adeyeye supporters alleged that Hon Kolawole Rope working against Ise community, the thugs who carries canes and sticks loaded with bus singing round the town that, “We need Governor, not chairman” the thugs flogged all the people support Olusola-Eleka with canes and sticks, “we need our son to be Ekiti governor, not chairman rather than senator”, the thugs attacked St. Paul Anglican Church, Oraye, Ise Ekiti during the burial ceremony service to beat those belong to Eleka-group.

In Ikere local government Area, a former chairman of Ikere Local Government Area, Hon. Banji Aluko was beaten up by the supporters loyal to the Kolapo Olusola-Eleka.

Olusola is enjoying the backing of his boss, Governor Ayo Fayose, who has adopted him as his preferred candidate for the July 14th governorship poll.

Aluko was accused of working against “Ikere Agenda” by the supporters who flogged him with canes and sticks loaded inside a minibus otherwise known as “Akoto” and parked opposite the election venue at Odo Oja area of the town. The hoodlums accused Aluko of working for another governorship aspirant and former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye.

Aluko, who was also accused of fraternizing with Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN), allegedly tore result sheet from Ogbonjana Ward believed to have been manipulated and this angered his attackers. Apart from the beating Aluko, he was also drenched with alcohol and forced out of the election venue

In a reaction to the former Chairman, Aluko accused the Deputy governor and a member of the House of Assembly representing Ikere constituency 1, Hon. Wale Ayeni as the masterminds of the attack.

“Our group won election at Ogbonjana ward 7 and we were jubilating, only for these thugs to pounce on me and started beating me for no just cause. However, I have reported the case to the police and proper action will be taken against the sponsors”, he added.

Adeyeye, who spoke through his Media Assistant, Niyi Ojo, said: “There was no election anywhere in the state, those loyal to Fayose sat somewhere and wrote the list of delegates.

“What really marvelled us was that, the committee members sent by the national headquarters to conduct the election didn’t go to the wards, they diverted it somewhere”, he claimed.

Former Minister of State for Works, Dayo Adeyeye described the congress as a charade, and called for outright cancellation of the exercise to prevent anarchy.

Adeyeye said the election was “brazenly manipulated” in all the 177 wards, accusing the leaders of PDP Ad hoc Committees sent to the 16 local governments of diverting the materials meant for the election.

Former Senate President, David Mark , led other top hierarchy of the party to conduct the congress.

It will be recalled that the National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Uche Secondus and members of the National Working Committee, as well as Senator Mark, were in Ado Ekiti only last Wednesday to mediate among the opposing forces, for the party to be united.