By Ayodele Oni
Reactions have been trailing a directive from Ekiti state Ministry of Transportation urging commercial vehicle drivers and motorcyclists to stay off roads in the state capital on Tuesday.
Market men and women were also said to have been compelled to remain indoor till 4.00 pm, same day.
Tuesday has been slated by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to launch the presidential campaign of Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Okowa in Ado Ekiti.
A statement on a popular social media platform on Monday, however claimed that the State Chapter of Roads Transport Employers Association, (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW) have directed its members to keep off the road.
Quoting from the statement, Adeola Ogunrinde, PDP National Ex-Officio member states that “Our attention has been drawn to a very ridiculous action of the State ministry of transportation through the State Chairman of Road Employee and National Union to introduce harsh measures on our expected people.
“This is by directing commercial drivers and motorcyclists to withdraw their services from the roads on Tuesday as the PDP and Atiku take campaign to Ekiti.
“They also ordered that major markets in the city be closed and residents stay indoors until 4:00 pm when we are not in Nnewi or Onitsha area of Anambra state.
“Distinguished members and supporters of the PDP in Ekiti, don’t be panic, you should understand the brain behind all tricks, including the worthless White Paper, to stop Atiku from coming to Ekiti.
“The former Governor Ayo Fayose and his agent in Ekiti State Government are only afraid of PDP/Atiku-Okowa popularity in the state since the released and official inauguration of Ekiti PCC and fear of impending and unavoidable defeat that await the O’Lule Dynasty on 25th February.
“That is the reason they are trying to do everything possible to frustrate the rally by introducing harsh measure on people in the state.”
“We call on all Okada riders, motorists, both the National and Road Employees to remain calm as whatever issue related to this anti-people approach to stop you from working for Atiku-Okowa on Tuesday will be resolved.“
Another social media commentator, Bolarinwa Ola, states that “I promise not to discuss BAO or his government here, but I will still advise him not copy Osoko style.
“Asking commercial drivers to stay off the road and market women to remain indoor tomorrow because the next president of federal republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar and his vice, Excellency Okowa are coming to campaign in Ekiti is uncalled for.
“APC will see the difference tomorrow. It’s going to be mother of all rallies.”
