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South West Governors Move To Strengthen Amotekun To Tackle Insecurity In The Region

By
Ayodele Oni
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Akeredolu and Oyetola

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, on Sunday received his Osun State counterpart, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, at the Government House, Alagbaka, Akure.

Governor Oyetola was in Akure to commiserate with Governor Akeredolu over the last Sunday terror attack on Owo.

Governor Akeredolu, while thanking his Osun State counterpart, acknowledged his several calls since the incident occurred.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde said Akeredolu, still recounting the incident noted that it was better imagined.

“When one looks at the pool of blood and the damage to the church and listens to the accounts from the priest and those who were in the church that day, one would conclude that these terrorists came to kill and maim.

“Our security architecture, we have to do something about it. What we are talking about now is the issue of state police.

“Restructuring is what we should be discussing. A police command in Abuja can not ensure the security of the country.

“We face so many dire situations in this country and it is time for us to sit up. Not the time for us to jump into conclusion. We are the ones that will have to protect our people.

“Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Fayemi has assured that the Amotekun in Ekiti will join hands with the ones in Ondo.

“Also, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has promised to deploy some of the Amotekun vehicles in his state to Ondo state to help us track these criminals.

“We must pursue this cooperation in the Southwest. If there is an attack on any of us, we must mobilize Amotekun in other Southwest states and go.

“The DAWN commission’s committee on Security will have to start working now. It is a challenge, an attack on one is an attack on all.

“We believe our forest is invaded. We believe there will be an end to this terrorism. Terrorism of the highest order is what we are facing now in this country. Losing 40 people in a day is devastating.”

Earlier, Governor Oyetola said there is need to reinvigorate security architecture in the region, adding that insecurity will not be allowed to fester in the Southwest.

“On behalf of the people of Osun state, I want to express our condolences. May God give the family of the victims the fortitude to bear the loss.

“We have done so much in our zone in terms of cooperation on security especially on Amotekun. Amotekun is doing well in the southwest, particularly the Ondo amotekun has been very active. We need to intensify efforts in ensuring that amotekun is strengthened.”

Catholic Priest Tells Students: “You Will Have ‘Carry-over ‘Unless You Show PVC”; Priests Bar Members From Mass Over PVC

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Priest and PVC

By Adesina Soyooye

The drive for PVC has taken another  serious  dimension.

It is not the youths who, for the first time,  are trooping-out in their millions to register and get their PVCs. It is not the thousands of traders who are closing down markets to enable traders get their PVCs. It is not even the Law Firm in Awka, Anambra State, where the Senior Partner ordered staff members to get their PVCs or no Salary. No, the drive has gone spiritual.

Non ownership of PVC can stop a Christian from making Heaven, literally. And it can stop students in faith-based tertiary institutions from graduating.

Two trending videos which surfaced on Sunday, June 12, confirm this.

During Mass on Sunday, a Priest of the Roman Catholic  Church, obviously the Rector of a School, stopped the congregation from entering into the Church. Not just his students, but everybody and anybody without PVC or an evidence that you had registered.

He told the students: “All those without their PVCs will have carry-over. And I am serious.” Meaning: They will deliberately be failed in their examinations or will not be allowed to take the examination.

He told the congregation: “Without your PVCs, you will not be allowed to worship in this Church. You will not be allowed to even enter the Church. The Federal Government says it will end on June 30, so go and get yours.

“You must carry your PVCs to Church.” To show how serious he is, he made way for those with their PVCs to enter the Church. “Those with your PVCs, show it and enter. Those without it, go and register and come with it next time.”

In another Roman Catholic Church, the Priest in-charge did much the same. It was a 6.00am Mass, but as at 6 30am, he still wouldn’t let the Service start. It was “operation show your PVC first.”

Blocking the entrance to the Church from where he stood and addressed the congregation, he told them: “Without your PVCs, you cannot enter the Church. And you cannot take Communion from now on.

What is the point in the Church filled every Sunday, and yet, Christians can’t do anything with it. On election days, we are nowhere.”

The fear, however, is that with the millions of people desirous and struggling to get their PVCs  the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, may not be able to cope with the registration. And, on election day, if they will cope with the number of voters.

Democracy Day: Obi Tasks Leaders On Good Governance, Preaches Hope To Nigerians

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has tasked leaders at all levels in the country to see the Democracy Day as an opportunity to reflect and recommit themselves to their constitutional responsibility of providing good governance to the people.

Obi who made the remark in his Democracy Day message, decried the fast rising insecurity, poverty and  unemployment, and called on the leaders to take urgent decisive action to stop total failure of our country.

He noted with pains that even with her abundant human and material resources, Nigeria ranks among the poorest countries and most terrorised nations of the world.

Democracy, he said, is about the people, hence efforts should be made at making them the topmost priority among the undertakings by the leaders.

He reminded the policy makers of the philosophy behind the June 12 celebrations, saying that it is in remembrance of the collective decision of Nigerians to chart a new course in nation building which they demonstrated in voting for the late MKO Abiola on June 12, 1993 presidential election.

“Democracy Day is an occasion for reflection and recommitment by our leaders at all levels to provide good governance to the people. It is a moment for stock taking on the extent we have gone in chatting a new course in our journey to nation building which Nigerians demonstrated in voting enmasse for MKO Abiola, beyond ethnic and religious lines.

He congratulated Nigerians on the occasion and urge them to keep faith in the country as we have no other country other than Nigeria.

He urged Nigerians not to lose hope, pledging that with the Labour Party we will commence the recovery of dear country. He reiterated his vow to lift the country from *consumption to production*

June 12: Uzodinma Hails Abiola, Calls Him A Martyr; Says June 12, Collective Struggle, For Democracy

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has congratulated Nigerians for keeping faith with democracy with June 12, noting that the day resonates the collective struggle and resilience of the people to enthrone and sustain democracy.

In Governor Uzodimma’s goodwill message, Sunday, to Imo people to mark June 12 Democracy Day, he said one of the major take-aways from the Day is that the will of the people in a democracy is supreme and cannot be underestimated.

He said the fact that Nigeria has experienced 23 years of uninterrupted civil rule speaks to the collective desire of the people to sustain democracy and congratulated them for the sacrifices they made to enthrone democracy.

However, he challenged Nigerians to search their consciences whether, by their behaviour, they have truly internalized the spirit of June 12.

On his own, Governor Uzodimma reiterated his resolve to sincerely serve the people of Imo State by providing services that would  enhance their wellbeing, using his 3-R mantra of rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery.

Governor Uzodimma’s address reads:

“It gives me a great pleasure to address the good people of Imo state today on the auspicious occasion of this year’s Democracy Day celebration. For our young ones, June 12,1993 was the day Nigeria conducted what has been described as the fairest and freest presidential election in the  nation’s modern history. But it was annulled by the then government, thus precipitating a long and bitter struggle for freedom and democracy.

“In the course of that stuggle, some of our citizens paid the supreme sacrifice, others went into exile while others were incarcerated. By the grace of God and consequent upon the relentless struggles, the country returned to democratic rule on May 29th . Consequently President Muhammadu Buhari did the needful by institutionalising  June 12 as  democracy day, which serves as  acknowledgement of the the foundational impetus that led to the  struggle for democracy.

“Today, is therfore symbolic because it resonates  our collective struggle and our resilience as a people to enthrone  and sustain  democracy. June 12th serves as a constant reminder to all of us that no force on earth can stop the will of the people if they are determined. It is a clear pionter to the age long fact that power and sovereignty belongs to the people.

“Let me therefore use this auspicious occasion to congratulate Nigerians in general and Imo people in particular for their individual and collective efforts and sacrifices in sustaining democracy since 1999. The fact that democracy has thrived uninterrupted for 23 years is an eloquent testament of the determination of Nigerians to sustain democracy. I congratulate all of us.

“For me, each democracy day should be a day of deep meditation and reflection, both by the political elite and the people, on how far we have kept faith with the spirit that inspired the June 12th struggle. Are our actions or inactions helping to deepen the hard earned June 12th democracy or helping to erode it? As leaders and participants in the democratic process can we in our right conscience say that we are good Apostles of the June 12th struggle? These are but a few of the issues that ought to agitate our minds as we celebrate June 12th today because our answers to the questions will help us to further deepen our democratic gains.

“Let me also use this auspicious occasion to salute those whose tenacious struggles and invaluable sacrifices brought us to the glorious dawn of the democracy we are savouring today. I hail Chief M K O Abiola, our Martyr of the struggle. I salute our own Chief Ralph Obioha and Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu. I remember the thousands of Imo people who were forced out of their homes in many parts of Nigeria. Some died, others never recovered from the economic trauma. I salute all of them.

“With the benefit of this historical hindsight, it is not only imperative but  germane for us to guard this democracy jealously. We should do all in our power to ensure that we don’t toil with this freedom of choice which is the foundation upon which our development is predicated. That freedom should never be tired to pecuniary gains lest the foundation of our democracy  be threatened.

“Consequently, we should, all of us, take seriously  our Civic obligation to freely elect our leaders. This begins with citizens obtaining their permanent voters cards. By the end of this month,  INEC will not be issuing these cards. So those who are yet to obtain theirs should use this window of opportunity of just 18 days to do the needful.

“June 12th has taught us the evergreen lesson that we have the power to freely elect our leaders. If  we fail in discharging that sacred  responsibility, we should  blame ourselves for the consequences. Let us therefore be proactive by taking our destiny into our hands. The first step is to obtain our PVC today. The second is to make it a piont of civic duty to vote in all the elections.

“As we celebrate this democracy day, let me reaffirm my commitment to serve Imo people with all the energy at my behest for the utmost good of the state and citizens. I am happy that this administration has been consistent in the implementation of our prosperity agenda encapsulated in the 3Rs of Rehabilitation, reconstruction and Recovery. In the coming days,our signature projects of dualization of Owerri- Okigwe and Owerri- Orlu roads will be formally commissioned as a catalyst towards the economic development of our dear state. The more than 72 roads built and reconstructed across the state are also geared towards enhancing social and economic development of the people. Our intervention in the health, education, agriculture and other sectors is aimed at making life easier for our people.

“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to our youth to leverage on our empowerment programme to better their lives. They should refrain from being used by disgruntled politicians to destabilize the state. We need peace to sustain the progress we are making. Because there is no viable alternative to democracy,our youth and indeed every resident of Imo state should defend this hard won democracy by maintaining the peace.

“May we all collectively recommit to protecting our democracy by engaging in only acts that will promote its sustenance and growth.

Prof Adiele Arrested For Fraud, Not Abducted – Police

By
The Source
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0
Professor Jachimike Adiele

By Charles Igbo

The Imo State Police Command has put a lie to reports that Professor Jachimike Adiele was abducted on Saturday morning from the premises of Boss Radio where he co-hosted a programme.

The Radio Station had put out an alert that Adiele was abducted from their premises by armed men and asked the general public for help to locate him as his whereabouts were unknown.

Many hours later, Adiele put out a statement that he has regained his freedom, and thanked all those who came to his rescue. He did not explain what happened or who exactly abducted him.

But in a statement by the Police Command signed by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Michael Abattam, the Police revealed Professor Adiele was arrested for jumping bail in a case of fraud involving him.

According to the Police, Adiele was reported in March by a lady who accused him of collecting the sum of N1.2million to give her a shop at Douglas Road, Owerri. When he reneged on the promise, and wouldn’t refund the money, the Lady reported him to the Police.

Adiele was thus arrested and, on his promise to pay back the money in April, 2022, he was granted bail. But the Police said he did not pay, but instead jumped bail. When his surety was invited, he said he had not seen him.

Luck ran out on him when the Surety learnt he would be at Boss Radio Fm, and alerted the Police who went to the Station, waited outside for him, and arrested him as soon as he stepped out.

Following the Police statement:

RE: ARREST OF PROF.

ADIELE JACHIMIKE

“The attention of the Imo State Police Command has been drawn to a news making rounds that, today 11/6/2022 at about 0940hrs, one Prof. Jachimike Adiele a staff of Boss FM Radio was abducted by unknown persons. The news is false, because he was never abducted rather, he was arrested by police operatives from Police Area Command Owerri, lmo State.

“The facts was that, sometime in the month of March, 2022, a lady reported a case of fraud against Prof. Jachimike Adiele at the Police Area Command Owerri, alleging that, the said professor collected the sum of one million two hundred thausand (1.2 ) naira from her with a promise to give her a shop in Douglas market. But, after some months, she discovered that there was no shop and demanded for her money but could not get it hence, her report .

“On the strength of the complaint, Prof Jachimike Adiele was invited. After his statement, the Area Commander released him on bail due to his status in the society. And he promised refunding the money back to the lady on 1/4/2022, but never did rather, he jumped bail. When all efforts made to reach him proved abortive, the surety was invited and he claimed not know the whereabout of the suspect and pleaded for time to trace him.

“Luck ran against him today 11/6/2022 at about 0940 hours, when the surety got information that, he was in the studio presenting a programme and alerted the police. On arrival, the police were professional, they never went to the station rather, they waited until he concluded his programme presentation and was heading home when he was arrested to the station.  He has since been released and on conclusion of investigation, he will be charged to court.”

His Abduction Alert

“After the Program “THE FORUM”, some unidentified armed men stormed the premises of Boss Radio, Owerri, and abducted the co-host of the Forum, Prof Jachimike Adiele to an undisclosed location.

“We cannot confirm his whereabouts or his present state.

“We implore the law enforcement agencies to please, come to our rescue.

#bossradioowerri

#bossradio989fm”

His Appreciation Post On Release

“May I use this opportunity to thank my friends, relations and associates who called to check on me after the news that I was abducted by Policemen.  I am now safely at home.

“May I particularly thank Harriet Ijeomah, the host of The Forum at Boss Radio 98.9FM, who immediately sent out the information on my abduction, the General Manager Mr McDonald,  who followed up and the Chairman of Boss Radio,  Mr Michael Ikoku who ensured I was safe.

“Also,  thank you Dr Nma Olebara , Dr Fidel Onyeneke , Editor and Publisher Gele Agbai , Professor Chinedu Asinu-Anosike, Mr Nick Opara-Ndudu, Jones Fcc Onwuasoanya , Barrister Mbuba Ilobi Asika , Editor and Publisher Nwadike Precious U, and many other journalists in the Owerri area for reacting promptly in my defence.

“Thanks Superintendent of Police Chidi Maxwell for your professionalism.

“Nigeria must get better.

“I shall be making comments on this later.

Jachimike Adiele”

Democracy Day: Obasa Felicitate With Nigerians, Says Nigeria On Pathway To Greatness

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Mudashiru Obasa

By Akinwale Kasali

Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has described Nigeria as a country currently on a track to greatness just as he urged the citizens to play active roles for this to be fully achieved, as the nation celebrates its Democracy Day.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele, Obasa commemorated Nigeria’s Democracy Day which coincides with the 29th anniversary of the June 12, 1993 elections, presumably  won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.

According to the Speaker, Nigeria had, since 1999, experienced what could best be described as the teething stage of its democratic journey with the need for unity taking the centre-stage of public discourse.

“However, it is now very glaring that we are on the threshold of history with the forthcoming general elections that is now heralded by the smooth convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the emergence of our flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The new story that we all anticipate, envisage and dream about for our country is achievable and right before us. Our hopes are rekindled. All that is required is our collectively resolve to be part of the ship of progress,” Obasa said in the statement by his media office.

Thanking Nigerian leaders, the civil society and citizens who joined in the struggle for the emancipation of the country from the military, Obasa added: “We remain steadfast in our resolve to make our democracy truly work for us all as Nigerians.

“History will forever be kind to those who made Nigeria’s democracy possible. They are our country’s real heroes.

“We are honoured to be the current bearers of the baton of democracy and we look forward to upholding the labour of these heroes.”

Owerri: “I Was Abducted By Police” – Professor Adiele; Released, Thanks All

By
The Source
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0
Professor Jachimike Adiele

By Charles Igbo

Professor Jachimike Adiele who was abducted Saturday morning from the premises of a Radio Station in Owerri has been released.

In a post like where he thanked all those who came to his rescue, Adiele said he would tell the full story of his ordeal later, and added: “Nigeria must get better.”

His appreciation post reads:

“May I use this opportunity to thank my friends, relations and associates who called to check on me after the news that I was abducted by Policemen.  I am now safely at home.

“May I particularly thank Harriet Ijeomah, the host of The Forum at Boss Radio 98.9FM, who immediately sent out the information on my abduction, the General Manager Mr McDonald,  who followed up and the Chairman of Boss Radio,  Mr Michael Ikoku who ensured I was safe.

“Also,  thank you Dr Nma Olebara , Dr Fidel Onyeneke , Editor and Publisher Gele Agbai , Professor Chinedu Asinu-Anosike, Mr Nick Opara-Ndudu, Jones Fcc Onwuasoanya , Barrister Mbuba Ilobi Asika , Editor and Publisher Nwadike Precious U, and many other journalists in the Owerri area for reacting promptly in my defence.

“Thanks Superintendent of Police Chidi Maxwell for your professionalism.

“Nigeria must get better.

“I shall be making comments on this later.

Jachimike Adiele”

Reports had emanated from Owerri, capital of Imo State, Saturday morning to the effect that  Adiele was abducted from the premises of a Radio Station.

He had gone to Boss Radio to co-host a programme, THE FORUM.

Just as he stepped out, armed men stormed the premises and abducted him.

A posted frantic message from the Radio station said:

“After the Program “THE FORUM”, some unidentified armed men stormed the premises of Boss Radio, Owerri, and abducted the co-host of the Forum, Prof Jachimike Adiele to an undisclosed location.

“We cannot confirm his whereabouts or his present state.

“We implore the law enforcement agencies to please, come to our rescue.

#bossradioowerri

#bossradio989fm”

2023: Why I support A Muslim-Muslim Ticket – El Rufai; Don’t Dare It – Babachir Lawal

By
The Source
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0
Babachir Lawal and Nasir El-Rufai

By Gideon Njoku

Two prominent Northerners, both of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have disagreed sharply on who the Party’s Presidential running mate should be.

The APC’s Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, from Southern Region is a Moslem. He is, therefore, as is usual in Nigeria, expected to choose a Christian of Northern extraction as his running mate. But the choice of who to pick, and of which religion  has become a subject of controversy.

While a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, a Christian and an indigene of Adamawa State, has warned both Tinubu and the APC not to make the mistake of  choosing a Muslim, Kaduna State Governor, a Muslim, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai says there is nothing wrong with a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

According to Lawal, such a ticket will be a monumental mistake, and could cost the APC the Presidential seat in 2023. He said no Northern Christian will vote for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

But El-Rufai says there is nothing wrong with it. He is in full support, and posited that Nigerians should go for competence and capacity rather than go for religion.

El-Rufai whose Deputy Governor is, like him, a Muslim, said in an interview  with Channels Television that: “I don’t look at people from Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian angle. Most of my closest friends are Christians.”

To buttress his point, he revealed: “It was Pastor Tunde Bakare, a Pentecostal  Pastor, that took me to CPC, not President Buhari. I am very close to Bakare. I’m very close to many Christians.

“I don’t think the business of governance has anything  to do with religion. I think we should look for the best person for the job. A person that will let the job done and let him do that.

“I am the wrong person to ask because in my State, I picked a very competent and qualified woman as a running mate in the 2019 election. But just because she happens to be a Muslim, people were calling it Muslim-Muslim ticket, and they said we were going to lose, but we won overwhelmingly.

“This fixation of Nigerians on religion instead of conscience, capacity and capability is quite sad and pathetic. We should take religion out of governance. I don’t think we should be looking at Religion.

“Let’s develop this country. Nigeria is at  crossroads. We face very serious dangers in security, in economic meltdown, but all people are concerned so far is who will be President or Vice President.  Their concern is  religion. It’s so sad. It’s not our religions that will solve our problems.”

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has also warned against a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

In 1993, a Muslim-Muslim ticket -the Social Democratic Party’s MKO Abiola and Babagana Kingibe – won the Presidential election. It was inexplicably cancelled by the Military Regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.

At the time, however, Nigeria was not this divided along religious and ethnic lines.

Now, not  a few people insist that such a ticket is not likely to be viable.

Abuja-Kaduna Train Abduction: Sheik Gumi Negotiates Release of Abductees

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, the Medical Doctor-turned Islamic Scholar, has negotiated the release of the  victims of the tragic Abuja-Kaduna abduction.

About three months ago, Islamic Terrorists had planted explosives on the rail, close to Kaduna, blown up and derailed the train, killed eight of the passengers, and abducted dozens of them.

They had been releasing them one by one, or in pairs. But with 61 of them, including a family of six – father, mother, four kids,  a woman and her baby delivered in captivity, they stopped. They then gave the Government an ultimatum to meet their demands or, they would start a mass murder of the captives.

Their demands,  it is gathered, include the release of their children kept in an orphanage in Adamawa State, as well as the release of a number of their colleagues who are in the custody of the Government.

A few days after their ultimatum, they rescinded their threat of a mass murder of the captives. Nobody knew why they changed their minds.

But it has now been revealed that they may have done so on the intervention of Gumi who has a controversial relationship with bandits and terrorists.

He, and a couple of others who include retired Military Generals, have been negotiating the release of the remaining passengers still with the terrorists.

On Saturday, June 11, it paid off with the release of 11 out of the remaining 61. The released were made up of six females and five males. The males were released on health grounds.

The terrorists had, earlier, promised to release all the women, but they reneged and released only six of them.

The  negotuator, Alhaji Tukur Mamu, who is a media consultant to  Sheikh Gumi, confirms the 11 victims  were released on Saturday.

He also confirmed, according to  the Desert Herald  that: “Earlier commitment to release all the women in their custody, a total number of 11 victims were released on Saturday 11th June, 2022. They include six females and five males.”

Those released are:

Jessy John

Amina Ba’aba Mohammed (Gamba)

Rashida Yusuf Busari Hannah Ajewole

Amina Jibril, Najib Mohammed Daiharu

Gaius Gambo

Hassan Aliyu

Peace A. Boy

Danjuma Sa’idu

Mamu, who is also the Publisher of the Desert Herald said:

“We have succeeded in building confidence now (with the terrorists). We will do everything to sustain it in the interest of the innocent victims that are still in captivity.

“It’s a painful and frustrating process but it must be done if we are to secure the precious lives of the remaining victims.

“The good news is our collective efforts have succeeded in securing the release of 11 of the victims so far. With the continued support of the FG all the remaining victims will be released soon Insha Allah.

“President Buhari must be commended for understanding the gravity of the crisis and for giving directives to the security agencies. The CDS, Gen. Irabo has done excellently well under the circumstances. The Army and the DSS have played a crucial role. There is no military solution to this predicament.

“But behind the scene, Sheikh Gumi, by Allah’s will, made it possible. He was involved from the day I started. In fact, I accepted that role because of his directives to that effect. Even the final arrangement of how and the safest place to get the victims was arranged and coordinated by him.”

It is not known if the Government has fulfilled some of  the demands which led to the release of the (latest) eleven people, but those released have been flown to Abuja for medical attention.

The terrorists attacked the Kaduna bound Train which took off from Abuja on March 28, 2021.

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

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Segun Oni and Oyebanji

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.

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