Ekiti State PDP Rally

Policemen yesterday allegedly killed two supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti East Local Government Area.
The deceased are: Ayo Faluyi and Michael Ipindola. A third victim, Femi Bankole, was injured and is receiving treatment in the hospital.

An ex-Speaker of the House of Assembly Olufemi Bamisile and the State PDP Chairman, Chief Bola Olu- Ojo, led a protest to the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, carrying the body of one of the victims.

They said they were preparing for a rally when policemen drove past, shooting at the crowd.

The PDP accused the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) of complicity and urged the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, to investigate the killings.

The ACN has called for Bamisile’s arrest over the violence.

It alleged that Bamisile led about 30 thugs in an attack against members of the opposition yesterday.

In a statement, ACN State Chairman Chief Olajide Awe said: “We are constrained to alert the public on the sinister plot of the PDP to cause mayhem in the run-up to the general elections.

“Reports reaching us from Omuo-Ekiti show that thugs led by Bamisile, unleashed terror on residents.

“Bamisile, who is the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ekiti South, was seen brandishing dangerous weapons and leading about 30 hoodlums, who were shooting sporadically in an early morning attack on perceived opposition members.

“Reports reaching us indicate that, at least, three persons have been killed in the unprovoked violence instigated by Bamisile on the peace-loving people of Omuo-Ekiti.

“The PDP thugs also engaged policemen in a shootout, forcing residents indoors and paralysing activities in the community. Billboards and posters of ACN candidates were vandalised and our members were attacked.

“We urge the police to arrest Bamisile and his thugs, to serve as deterrent to others with similar inclination.

“While other parties are campaigning ahead of the general elections, the PDP is busy planning strategies of violence in order to cause the declaration of a state of emergency in Ekiti. This is because it knows it will fail woefully at the elections.

“We urge ACN members to remain calm and not be provoked into violence by blood-thirsty PDP henchmen and their roughnecks.”