APC alleges attacks on its members by rival party

ALL Progressive Congress (APC) in Ekiti state has alleged that some suspected thugs of a rival political party stormed some communities in Gbonyin and Irepodun/Ifelodun local governments attacking its and destroying the billboards and posters of its candidates in the March 28 and April 11 general elections. 

     A statement by State Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, said the thugs armed with guns and machetes stormed Igbemo-Ekiti where they disrupted APC ward meeting adding that a car belonging to ward chairman was damaged while several members were attacked in an orgy of violence that lasted several minutes.

    According to Olatubosun, the thugs later came back in the night unleashing fiercer violence, abducting four members in the process. 

    “They started their raids from Ijan-Ekiti where they shot sporadically to the air. Residents scampered to safety as thugs went about destroying APC candidates’ billboard and posters.

     “After Ijan-Ekiti operation, they headed for Iluomoba-Ekiti where APC ward meeting was disrupted. Billboards and posters of APC candidates, including the chairs and tables were destroyed before moving to other communities in Gbonyin to unleash violence,”‎ he said 

    He added that the thugs returned to Igbemo-Ekiti at night in three Hilux vans shooting and destroying the billboards and posters of APC candidates, including those of Barrister Rotimi Odu, a member of the House of Assembly seeking re-election. They also visited Olatubosun and Odu’s homes. 

     “It was during their night visit that these men in military uniform abducted ‎ Chief Peter Akinsola a.k.a Pitoro, the senior brother of the Ward Chairman, Mr. Olusola Bello, Mr. Olujimi Ogunade, and 22-year-old Adefemi Ojo. Investigation has revealed that the abducted men are illegally detained at Fayose’s task force office along Iyin road Ado Ekiti,” Olatubosun explained.

     Olatubosun added that Ajayi Temisoro was matcheted while a pharmaceutical shop belonging‎ to an APC member, Olujimi Ogunade, was destroyed. 

   The APC spokesman called on the security agencies to intervene to save the lives of abducted members while also urging the police to be even-handed in the current violence being unleashed on APC members by the governor’s thugs.