Senate seeks probe of Ekiti by-election violence

• Demands accelerated passage of Electoral Act Amendment Bill
• Fayemi pays condolence visit to family of deceased policewoman

The Senate, yesterday, urged the Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, to order a comprehensive investigation into last Saturday’s violence that trailed Ekiti East by- election.

The investigation, the Senate said, would bring to book perpetrators of the violence. The upper chamber also challenged the Federal Government on safety of electoral officials, security personnel and election materials during elections while calling on the National Assembly to accelerate the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill currently before it to forestall future occurrences.

These were sequel to a motion by Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South) titled “Election Violence in Ekiti: Need to Eschew Restraint.” She advocated immediate establishment of the electoral offences tribunal and shoot-at-sight order on any person attempting to snatch ballot box in future elections.

She commended the Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for quick response, which led to arrest of a few perpetrators who are currently at the correctional centres.

Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), while supporting the motion, said all politicians should be reminded that no position is worth the blood of any human being and that they should caution their supporters to always toe the path of peace in the conduct of all elections.

While Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) assured that issues surrounding electoral violence were receiving serious attention in the amendment process to the Electoral Act, Nicholas Tofowomo (Ondo South) said a judicial panel of inquiry should visit Omuo-Ekiti to assess the level of damage and injuries inflicted on innocent Nigerians.

MEANWHILE, Fayemi has commiserated with the family of the policewoman, Bukola Olawoye, who was shot by suspected thugs during the by-election and died on Monday.

The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Biodun Omoleye, said it was very pathetic for somebody to die in active service and at a very tender age.