One killed as APC, SDP supporters clash ahead of Ekiti guber poll
One man lay dead at Itaji-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State yesterday in the aftermath of a clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
The victim was identified as Tope Ajayi, an APC member. Several others were injured, eye witnesses said.
The two parties had taken their campaigns to the sleepy town only for a confrontation to ensue between the supporters.
Both sides traded blames over the incident.
The Director, Media and Publicity of Biodun Oyebanji Campaign Organisation (the APC candidate), Chief Taiwo Olatunbosun, said the campaign in Ekiti North Senatorial District was proceeding orderly and peacefully until it was allegedly disrupted by hoodlums at the instigation of a former lawmaker in the area.
Read Also:
Olatunbosun said SDP thugs swooped on a faulty campaign vehicle of Biodun Oyebanji at Itaji, shooting at the occupants, including the deceased.
He said a vehicle belonging to the Special Adviser on Road Infrastructures to the Governor, Hon Rufus Adunmo, was similarly shot at.
He said the area had witnessed a spate of violence in the last one week, “including an attack on our campaign rally at Oke Ayedun on Friday, and now the brutal killing of our member today, and the maiming of many others who are now battling for their lives in the hospital.”
Olatunbosun commiserated with the family of the deceased and called on the security agencies in the state to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure the perpetrators are brought to book, while he called on all APC members and the general public to go about their normal activities without fear.
However, the Director of Media and Publicity, Segun Oni Campaign Organisation, Jackson Adebayo, said the APC should be held liable for the violence.
