Some suspected political thugs on Saturday unleashed mayhem on opponents during the House of Representatives primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Òkè-Àkò Ekiti, Irele-Ekiti and Ijowa-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, leaving one Ore Bamidele seriously injured and in a coma, and another member, Samuel Adetiba injured. The exercise was held in Ward 11, Ipao-Ekiti.
Bamidele, as of press time, was at a private hospital in the locality where he is receiving medical attention.
Members of the party in the local government have therefore strongly condemned the violence, alleged intimidation and attacks that characterised the election and appealed to all stakeholders to ensure that future political exercises were conducted in an atmosphere of peace, fairness and mutual respect.
They lamented that the exercise, which ought to have reflected the democratic ideals of the party, was unfortunately marred by violent attacks carried out by political thugs on party faithful perceived to be loyal to a rival aspirant that they favoured.
Beyond the physical attacks on members, campaign banners belonging to their opponent were also destroyed, while properties belonging to some APC members in Ipao-Ekiti were reportedly damaged. Elderly men and women from Òkè-Àkò Ekiti, Irele-Ekiti and Ijowa-Ekiti were allegedly molested, threatened and forcefully removed from voting queues for simply supporting aspirants of their choices.
The aggrieved APC members accused one of the chairmanship candidates for the Among Local Community Development Authority, (LCDA) Samuel Abejide of orchestrating the violence in the presence of the party’s leader in the Ekamefa area, who they claimed, did nothing to stop the attacks.
Olaiya Ajibulu, who spoke on behalf of the affected party members, expressed deep concern over what they described as a growing atmosphere of fear and political intolerance capable of undermining unity within the party and threatening the safety of members participating in future exercises.
Consequently, Ajibulu said that the affected APC members from the three communities were appealing passionately to the leadership of the party in Ekiti State, as well as His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, to urgently intervene in the matter.
They also requested that subsequent APC primary elections involving the three communities be moved away from Ipao-Ekiti to a neutral and safer venue where the lives and rights of party members could be adequately protected.
“Alternatively, we appeal that Òkè-Àkò Ekiti, Irele-Ekiti and Ijowa-Ekiti should be allowed to conduct their remaining primary elections at a separate venue where members can freely exercise their democratic rights without intimidation, harassment, or fear of violence.” Ajibulu reiterated.
The affected members also sympathised with all victims of the attacks and prayed for the speedy recovery of those currently receiving medical attention, particularly Mr. Ore Bamidele.
They reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals of democracy, peaceful co-existence and party unity.
