Another violence erupted in Ekiti State leading to the injuring of some people just as the general elections are around the corners with each party making last minute efforts to win.
It was also violence in Ekiti State yesterday as no fewer than 20 persons were seriously injured in Omuo, headquarters of Ekiti East Local Government when supporters of the APC senatorial candidate for the southern district, Prince Dayo Adeyeye and his PDP counterpart, Chief Biodun Olujimi, clashed during a campaign rally, The Guardian reports.
It was gathered that members of the APC were holding a joint rally for Adeyeye and the House of Representatives candidate in Ekiti South Federal Constituency 2, Femi Bamisile on Monday evening, when the suspected PDP thugs allegedly stormed the event and launched attacks on them.
Those who carried out the attacks were said to be loyal to Olujimi.
Some APC supporters, Adeniyi Saliu , Kayode Ojo and Adeniyi Ayo, who sustained deep cuts in their heads, backs and stomachs, have been referred to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti for treatment. The other15 victims sustained minor injuries.
Bamisile, a former speaker of the House of Assembly, described the attack as unfortunate, barbaric and uncalled for. He called on the security agencies in the state to apprehend the perpetrators of the attack.
Adeyeye said the long arm of the law would catch up with the thugs who were allegedly led by one Sunday Awolusi, no matter how fast they run.
“Arresting and prosecuting the suspects will serve as a deterrent to others inclined to political violence. I enjoin the security agencies to be on the red alert to curtail political violence. Ekiti is a peaceful state and nobody should turn it into a theatre of war in the name of politics,” he said.
But the Special Assistant to Olujimi on Public Communications, Chief Sanya Atofarati, exonerated the senator and her supporters from the attack, saying the Senate Minority Whip had no cause to attack anybody.
Atofarati said: “Attacking political opponents is of no point. It is the APC that has been attacking others because violence is their principal identity. We have been going round campaigning in the senatorial district. No cases of violence, no reason for us to fight anybody. People of the senatorial district know this.”
“We are going to the polls, we are sure of winning, so why would we embark on attacking others? We are a peace loving people. They should settle their differences.”
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Adamu, read warned politicians, assuring both foreign and domestic election observers of proper protection during the polls.
At the national briefing of foreign and domestic observers organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja yesterday, Adamu said there was no cause for panic as troublemakers would be dealt with not minding their status. According to him, police personnel will be deployed in the various polling units across the country without carrying firearms but only handcuffs to look out for both vote buyers and sellers.
Another primary concern of the police, according to the IGP, is to keep watch on the electoral materials and INEC staff. “Voters are free to stay around and monitor their votes three meters away,” he said.
The IGP assured stakeholders that the police would be professional and neutral, warning that no security agent is allowed to hinder both foreign and domestic observers from carrying out their duties.
He warned very important personalities against moving from point to point, saying they would be prevented with their security personnel arrested.
Members of political parties are also not spared as the police shall arrest those who go about with their party symbols while the “no movement” restriction order shall be enforced.
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