Countdown To Ekiti Gov Poll: APC, SDP Trade Blames On Weekend Attack That Left Three Dead

By Ayodele Oni

It was a week of bloodshed in Ekiti as several people were shot at, leaving three persons dead in the State, just seven days away from the Governorship election.

There were clashes between supporters of Biodun Oyebanji, candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) and that of Segun Oni, flagbearer of Social Democratic Party, (SDP) reported at Ilejemeje, Oye an Ado local governments.

Death was recorded at Itaji Ekiti, Oye local government on Saturday during a bloody clash.

Leadership of the two political parties have been trading blames over the incident.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State bemoaned the bloodletting which occured in the state on Saturday 11 June, 2002, just a week to the governorship election.

APC described the unprovoked attack on the party’s campaign train by the miscreants of the Social Democratic Party, (SDP), as not only condemnable but reprimandable.

Through a release issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, APC said while it would continue to prevail on its members to be of good conduct and toe the path of sanity, it will also continue to ring it in the ears of Segun Oni and his cohorts that they should be ready to bear the consequences of their unconscionable act.

Dipe said that it was apparent Segun Oni was a leopard that could not change its spot. “He is too desperate and will not stop at anything to get to power, though he won’t.

“We learnt he is now physically involved in the unleashing of mayhem, thus causing unrest in the state.”

Dipe said Oni’s action would not deter APC from fulfilling its pact with the people, which is to ensure a smooth transition from Gov. Fayemi to Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, “and Segun Oni will be exposed for who he truly is: a desperado.”

“If you think you have monopoly of violence, remember also that the hands of law is long enough to catch up with you and crime has no expiry date.”

Narrating what transpired on Saturday, Dipe said the APC train had embarked on a roadshow to canvas for the support of the electorates across the state for the party’s candidate, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, only for the SDP goons to unleash mayhem on them.

“First they were way-layed at Segun Oni’s town, Ifaki, but our people did not baulk. The SDP miscreants later open gunshots at them along Itaji road, killing and maiming.

“Even when the unarmed youths ran into the bush for their dear lives, they were pursued and shot directly at them, falling some of them.

“Even in times of war, you don’t shoot at unarmed innocent citizens, but in this case, the SDP goons were mindless of the consequences of their actions, and we implore the security operatives to roar into action, without minding whose ox is gored.

“As I write, no one can say with precision how many casualties have occured from the one-sided unprovoked assault.

“All we can say is that SDP has acted unconscionably and should be made to face the law.

“This is one war Segun Oni and those in cahoots with him cannot win. Their style of gangsterism is old fashioned and will not be condoned in a sane society like ours.

“Ekiti is not a banana republic where people can be killed or maimed anyhow. Lest he fails to know, Oni has successfully pushed himself to the wrong side of history.

“He will be judged, morally, spiritually and legally. The blood of those he is falling will also come in judgement against him and his cohorts, no two ways about this.”

SDP in its own account claimed that some thugs who are members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) wearing the All Progressive Congress (APC) vests and loaded in five buses belonging to the APC, shooting sporadically,

on Saturday, stormed the campaign rally venues of the Social Democratic Party(SDP) in Itaji Ekiti and Oye Ekiti all in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State.”

Mr Jackson Adebayo, the Director of Media and Publicity of Segun Oni Campaign Organisation (SOCO)in a statement in Ado Ekiti explained that the thugs allegedly sent by Mr Rotimi Olanbiwoninu a-k-a Mentilo, the Ekiti State Chairman of RTEAN began to shoot as the SDP governorship candidate, Asiwaju Segun Oni was addressing SDP members and supporters at Itaji town.

According to Adebayo, three SDP members were shot and terribly wounded in Itaji but luck ran out for one of the RTEAN thugs who missed the bus and was arrested by party supporters who handed him over to the police.

The SOCO Spokesman said that it took the mobile police and some soldiers on patrol about 30 minutes to bring the situation under control.

The unlucky thug confessed that they were sent by Mentilo and that he( Mentilo) was working for the Biodun Oyebamiji Campaign Organisation.

At Oye, said Adebayo, the RTEAN drivers allegedly shot three members of the SDP who were waiting for the arrival of Oni who was due to address party supporters in the town.

He added that the thugs entered their buses and fled on seeing the mobile policemen that were following the campaign convoy of the SDP and the soldiers that were on patrol.

There has been no reaction from the state police command.