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  • #EkitiDecides2018: Heavy security as governorship election commences

    #EkitiDecides2018: Heavy security as governorship election commences

    A security cordon has been thrown on Ekiti as the simultaneous accreditation and voting process is set to commence in Saturday ’s governorship election.

    Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) spread across the three senatorial districts report that armed policemen and personnel of sister security agencies such as the NSCDC, NDLEA and the FRSC were sighted at strategic locations.

    In Ikere-Ekiti, home town of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) candidate, Prof. Olusola Kolapo, there was heavy security presence, with personnel of the police and NSCDC keeping vigil on the fringes of polling units.

    At the Ofamofuru Polling Unit 007, Ward 02, of the PDP candidate, no fewer than 10 mobile police officers were sighted keeping vigil.

    In Isan-Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area, Ekiti North Senatorial District, where the All Progressives Congress(APC) candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, hails from, there was also heavy security presence.

    At the Polling Unit 009 Ward 11 of the APC flagbearer, no fewer than five policemen were seen maintaining law and order as at 7.30 a.m.

    There was also tight security at the Unit 2 Ward 7, Federal Housing Estate Polling Unit, in Ado-Ekiti Central Senatorial District, with five policemen sighted.

    NAN reports that the police had deployed 30,000 operatives, two helicopters and 250 patrol vehicles, including Armoured Personnel Carriers, for the election.

    The security operation for the poll would be supervised by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations, Joshiak Habila, who would be assisted by an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, four Commissioners of Police, eight Deputy Commissioners of Police and 18 Assistant Commissioners of Police.

    Each Senatorial district would be manned by a Commissioner of Police while no fewer than four policemen and two others from other security agencies will be on duty at each polling unit throughout the state.

    NAN further reports that Commissioners of Police and their personnel in states close to Ekiti such as Ondo, Osun, Kwara, Kogi, Ogun, Edo and Oyo had been directed to be on the red alert with their personnel.

    The Police Mobile Force Unit, Counter-Terrorism Unit, the Special Protection Unit, the Anti-Bomb Squad, the Armament Unit, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department and the sniffer dogs section would also participate in the joint security effort.

    The police had said that a threat assessment had been carried out in the state and all identified flashpoints and trouble-prone areas had been addressed.

    Restriction on vehicular movement in and out of Ekiti State also commenced from midnight of Friday and would be in place till the end of the election while travellers and other road users were advised to make use of alternative routes.

    NAN reports that those on essential duties were, however, being granted passage.

    NAN further reports that other security and safety agencies, including the military and FRSC, who are members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in the state, would complement the police during the election.

    Already, the NSCDC had deployed 19,997 personnel for the exercise and had also ordered the deployment of mobile surveillance vehicles and sniffer dogs.

  • Security cordon thrown on Ekiti as governorship poll commences

    Security cordon thrown on Ekiti as governorship poll commences

    A security cordon has been thrown on Ekiti as the simultaneous accreditation and voting process is set to commence in Saturday’s governorship election.

    Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) spread across the three senatorial districts report that armed policemen and personnel of sister security agencies such as the NSCDC, NDLEA and the FRSC were sighted at strategic locations.

    In Ikere-Ekiti, home town of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) candidate, Prof. Olusola Kolapo, there was heavy security presence, with personnel of the police and NSCDC keeping vigil on the fringes of polling units.

    At the Ofamofuru Polling Unit 007, Ward 02, of the PDP candidate, no fewer than 10 mobile police officers were sighted keeping vigil.

    In Isan-Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area, Ekiti North Senatorial District, where the All Progressives Congress(APC) candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, hails from, there was also heavy security presence.

    At the Polling Unit 009 Ward 11 of the APC flagbearer , no fewer than five policemen were seen maintaining law and order as at 7.30 a.m.

    There was also tight security at the Unit 2 Ward 7, Federal Housing Estate Polling Unit, in Ado-Ekiti Central Senatorial District, with five policemen sighted.

    NAN reports that the police had deployed 30,000 operatives, two helicopters and 250 patrol vehicles, including Armoured Personnel Carriers, for the election.

    The security operation for the poll would be supervised by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations, Joshiak Habila, who would be assisted by an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, four Commissioners of Police, eight Deputy Commissioners of Police and 18 Assistant Commissioners of Police.

    Each Senatorial district would be manned by a Commissioner of Police while no fewer than four policemen and two others from other security agencies will be on duty at each polling unit throughout the state.

    NAN further reports that Commissioners of Police and their personnel in states close to Ekiti such as Ondo, Osun, Kwara, Kogi, Ogun, Edo and Oyo had been directed to be on the red alert with their personnel.

    The Police Mobile Force Unit, Counter-Terrorism Unit, the Special Protection Unit, the Anti-Bomb Squad, the Armament Unit, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department and the sniffer dogs section would also participate in the joint security effort.

    The police had said that a threat assessment had been carried out in the state and all identified flashpoints and trouble-prone areas had been addressed.

    Restriction on vehicular movement in and out of Ekiti State also commenced from midnight of Friday and would be in place till the end of the election while travellers and other road users were advised to make use of alternative routes.

    NAN reports that those on essential duties were, however, being granted passage.

    NAN further reports that other security and safety agencies, including the military and FRSC, who are members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in the state, would complement the police during the election.

    Already, the NSCDC had deployed 19,997 personnel for the exercise and had also ordered the deployment of mobile surveillance vehicles and sniffer dogs.

  • Ekiti 2018: Litmus test for President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 presidential bid

    Ekiti 2018: Litmus test for President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 presidential bid

    The people of Ekiti State are set to elect their governor today, in a political battle field majorly dominated by the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress [APC], Dr. Kayode Fayemi and a ‘scantily-known’ Prof. Lolapo Olusola-Eleka of Peoples Democratic Party [PDP], who is gigantically backed by the state’s incumbent governor, Ayodele Fayose.

    So far, the election has gotten heavy attention both in the local and international space and this is connected with the fact that the voting exercise will majorly serve as a timely indicator of what the future holds for APC and President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 presidential bid.

    The 2019 litmus test for President Buhari in Ekiti gubernatorial election is undoubtedly what triggered the tension between the ruling party, APC and its opposition, PDP. If not, a governorship election involving just one state in the federation, would not have come an avenue for the power seekers to heat up the entire polity.

    Recall that before Buhari assumed office as Nigeria’s President, Governor Fayose of Ekiti had been a front-line antagonist of his [Buhari] administration. In the heat of the 2014 presidential campaign Fayose placed several anti-Buhari adverts in the media space that many analyst described as unfit for public consumption, in fact, he went as far as saying the Buhari will meet his death in in power.

    In 2015, when Buhari finally took office after defeating Goodluck Jonathan, the governor teamed up with his counterpart, Nyesom Wike in Rivers State, and continued to fire his salvo at the former head of state and it is a known secret the Buhari-led government detests Fayose’s gut but waited patiently for today, #Ekitielection, as its judgement day or better said its bests opportunity to strip him of power.

    For Buhari, Ekiti election is more than rising up to his party’s call, and that is why his support for Fayemi transcends the love a father has for his biological son, it is a privilege for him to silent a vociferous enemy. Buhari did not openly campaigned for support for Fayemi, he also gave him a massive physical presence of the presidency – recall how the Federal Government displayed its might against Fayose in the last minute, especially with the deployment of over 30,000 policemen to the state.

    For own posterity sake, Fayose has assumed more dramatic roles in the script of who becomes the next governor in the state, backing his deputy, Eleka, whom many see as puppet.

    Read what APC said of Fayose/Eleka’s relationship:“Somehow, Fayose has contrived to make this election about himself. But it is not. The contest is between Dr. Fayemi and the Professor that has continued to hide behind Fayose’s fingers.What is clear to every voter in Ekiti is that to vote for this Professor is to hand Fayose a third term.”

    One of the biggest test for Buhari today is that of his ‘popularity’. The All Progressive Congress according to critics are not in their best moment and this many believed has reduced the acceptance once given to the ‘Buhari-brand’.

    In 2014, APC sold Buhari to Nigerians as the anti-corruption warlord and the messiah who will bring ‘change’ to the country – Nigerians fell for it. However, the reality today is far from the lofty campaign promises proposed by the Buhari-led government.

    Apart from battling recession at the very beginning of his administration, a time that many of Buhari’s critics see as the karma visited on his ardent supported.

    The former head of state has equally not done too well on the anti-corruption front which is perceived to be the President’s strongest strength. Unfortunately, Nigeria has fared worse in global corruption ratings under the former head of state.

    Today, the Buhari government is labelled by governor Fayose as a killer-govt’ due to the activities of herdsmen. This has done a lot of damage to the President’s reputation.

    Also very critical for political calculations is how well APC will function considering the internal crisis the party is facing at the time. Just some weeks ago, a factionalised group, R-APC broke out of the party and today’s election will explain the strength of what remains of APC.

    By Sunday, the results will be ready and if Fayose’s anointed candidate, Olusola-Eleka defeats Buhari’s man, Fayemi then the chances of President Buhari in 2019 will be threatened by the outcome.

    Meanwhile, victory for APC will imply an easy ride for President Buhari in his second term ambition, a loss could indicate the resurrection of PDP, a party once considered by APC as dead.

    But for democracy to continue to thrive in Nigeria, both parties should ensure the electorate are given a fair chance to freely decide who becomes the next governor of the state.

  • All eyes on Ekiti as electorates decide between Eleka, Fayemi today

    All eyes on Ekiti as electorates decide between Eleka, Fayemi today

    The much talked about governorship election in Ekiti State will hold today, Saturday 14 July, 2018.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that a total of 35 governorship candidates representing 35 political parties will take part in today’s election in the State.

    Among these candidates, two are considered the front-runners. They are ex-governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress and Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Oluso-Eleka is the incumbent deputy to Governor Ayodele Fayose while Fayemi resigned as Minister of Mines and Steel Development in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. He was also a former governor of the state between 2010 – 2014.

    However, today’s election has not been without its many hurdles with accusations and counter-accusations flying in all directions from the two leading candidates and political parties.

    Earlier in the week, Governor Fayose accused the police of brutalizing him, blocking the government house and campaign office of his deputy, Eleka-Olusola.

    Tensions are high and some residents have vowed not to participate in the elections as their security seemed not to be guaranteed with the recent happenings in the state.

    However, the Police on Thursday deployed over 30,000 policemen to the state along with sister security agencies; a move that has attracted heavy criticisms from traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the state.

     

    See profile of the participating candidates below:

     

    John Olukayode Fayemi (APC)

    Mr Fayemi enters the race as a former governor of Ekiti State serving (2010 to 2014) on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. He hails from Isan Ekiti, in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti North Senatorial District.

    He holds a doctorate in War Studies from the prestigious King’s College, University of London, England, specialising in civil-military relations.

    Before his entrance into politics, Mr Fayemi served as Director, Centre for Democracy and Development(CDD) between 1997 and 2006.

    He was defeated by Ayodele Fayose of the PDP while seeking re-election in 2014. He was later appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as Minister of Mines and Steel Development, the position he resigned to contest the July 14 election.

     

    Kolapo Olusola Eleka (PDP)

    He is the incumbent deputy governor of the state from Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti South Senatorial District.

    Mr Olusola is a professor of Building Technology at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, with a track record of excellence in his academic field. He came straight from the academic environment to become deputy governor of the state. He is running to succeed his boss, Ayodele Fayose.

     

    Ayodeji Lawrence Ayodele (APGA)

    He is a former Nigerian envoy to Greece.

    Mr Ayodele is an accomplished diplomat who rose to the position of Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He had a brief stint with the Mega Progressive Peoples Party. He reportedly moved to APGA as the party rushed to hold primaries.

    He emerged as APGA candidate under controversial circumstances.

     

    Sikiru Lawal Tae (LP)

    Mr Lawal, a former chieftain of the PDP in Ekiti State, was the deputy governor of the state under governor Segun Oni between 2007 and 2010.

    He recently resigned his membership of the PDP after the crisis which occurred as a result of the choice of the party’s candidate by governor Ayo Fayose.

     

    Abiodun Aluko (AP)

    Mr Aluko was a successful surveyor before venturing into politics.

    He was the leader of the Ayo Fayose Movement (AFM).

    He later became Mr Fayose’s deputy before he was impeached after both politicians fell apart. He has oscillated between the PDP, NDP and recently the MPN, before clinching the ticket of the Accord Party.

     

    Jeremiah Adebisi Omoyeni (MPN)

    The banker hails from Ikere Ekiti. He served as deputy governor after Mr Aluko was impeached under Ayo Fayose. He was a governorship aspirant in 2014 in the PDP.

     

    Shola Omolola (AA)

    He was elected the state chairman of Action Alliance(AA), Lagos State, last year.

    He has been very active in the politics of Lagos and was appointed secretary of the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Lagos.

     

    Ben Olaniyi Agboola (AD)

    Mr Agboola is a marketing and advertising expert who has worked with different companies in Nigeria and abroad.

    He was a Sales Project Coordinator at Globacom Nig Limited.

    He obtained his HND, Business Administration from the Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti in 1992 and an MBA at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology where he studied marketing in 1999 and proceeded to South London Business College where he obtained Diploma in Information Technology in 2005.

     

    ‎Babatunde Henry Afe (ANRP)

    Mr Afe is the founder and General Overseer of House of Faith Christian Centre, Ado Ekiti.

    He claims to also double as a businessman and a farmer.

    He is a graduate of Economics from the University of Ilorin and also runs a training consultancy. He prides himself as being among the four biggest farmers in the state with several hundreds hectares of farm.

     

    Segun Adewale (ADP)

    Mr Adewale, popularly known as Segun Aeroland, is from Ipoti Ekiti in Ijero Local Government Area.

    A well known businessman and philanthropist based in Lagos, he was senatorial candidate for Lagos West on the platform of the PDP during the 2015 election.

    He is the CEO, Aeroland Travel Limited.

    He has been in active politics in Lagos and made efforts to be elected a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly on the Labour Party ticket, but was unsuccessful.

    He defected to the Alliance for Democracy and then to the PDP in 2011 to run for the Federal House of Representative, Alimosho Federal Constituency, but lost the election to Solomon Olamilekan Adeola of the then Action Congress of Nigeria.

    He is a recipient of many awards, particularly in the aviation industry.

     

    Bode Olowoporoku (NDPC)

    He is a UK-trained economist with a Phd in Economics. He was also a Minister of Science and Technology under Usman Shehu Shagari government. He was elected senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District from 2003 to 2007.

     

    Dare Bejide (PPN)

    He was the Secretary to the Ekiti State Government under the governorship tenure of Segun Oni.

    He is from Ilawe, in Ekiti South senatorial district.

    He has also served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Canada.

    He was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party until the crisis following the adoption of Kolapo Olusola, his deputy. He joined PPN to emerge the candidate of the party for Saturday’s election.

     

    Orubuloye Dele Lucas (AGA)

    An engineer by profession, he studied at the University of Mandras, Chennai, in India.

    He hails from Are Ekiti.

    He represents the All Grassroots Alliance Party.

     

    Tosin Ajibare (ID)

    He is said to be below 35 years old and the youngest candidate in the Ekiti governorship race.

    According to him, he represents the face of the youth in Ekiti State. Mr Ajibare is from Ikere Ekiti and a graduate of Business Administration.

    He is the founder of the Movement for the Development of Youths and Children, an NGO based in Ekiti State.

    He represents the Independent Democrats Party.

     

    Olajumoke Saheed (DA)

    He holds a BSc in accounting from the Ekiti State University and was voted the governorship candidate of the Democratic Alternative on May 12.

     

    Temitope Omotayo (YPP)

    The 35-year-old candidate, follows Mr Ajibade as one of the youthful candidates in the contest. A graduate of Economics from the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, as well as a law degree from the University of Lagos.

    He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2013 and partner at the Fasina and Omotayo law firm.

    He represents the Young Progressives Party.

     

    Tope Adebayo (APDA)

    Mr Adebayo is a legal practitioner and obtained his law degree at the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, before proceeding to the University of Lagos for his masters degree also in law.

    He was president of the Students’ Union, and prides himself as one among a few students union leaders who emerged best graduating student. He also attended Havard where he took a leadership course in preparation for his task to govern Ekiti State.

    He represents the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance.

     

    Akinloye Ayegbusi (SDP)

    Mr Ayegbusi, 44, before his foray into politics was an Executive Director at Eco Bank Plc. He said he only started thinking about politics in March this year, as contesting the governorship was never in his plans for the year.

    He represents the Social Democratic Party.

     

    Saheed Olawale Jimoh (APA)

    Mr Jimoh, 44, was a candidate of the African Peoples Alliance for the House of Representatives seat for Ado Ekiti/Irepodun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency, Ekiti State in 2015 but was unsuccessful.

    The APA found him worthy of its ticket and would be expecting Ekiti people to vote for him on Saturday.

     

    ‎Other candidates and their parties are:

    Oribamise Stephen Ojo (AGAP)

    Olanrewaju Olalekan (DPC)

    Adegboye Ajayi (BNPP)

    David-Adesua Ayodele (DA)

    Sule Olalekan Ganiyu (FJP)

    Adewale OlusholaAkinyele(GPN)

    Akerele Oluyinka Gbenga(DPP)

    Amuda Temitope Kazeem(KOWA)

    Jegede Olabode Gregory (MMN)

    Babatunde OladapoAlegbeleye (NDLP)

    Oladosu Olaniyan (NPC)

    Ayoyinka Oluwaseun Dada (PDC)

    Animashaun Goke (PPA)

    Adeleye John Olusegun (UDP)

    Gboyega Olufemi Jacob (UPN)

    Fakorede Ayodeji Ebenezer (YDP)

  • Ekiti poll: Stay away from polling units if you don’t have PVC – INEC tells residents

    Ekiti poll: Stay away from polling units if you don’t have PVC – INEC tells residents

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Prof. Abdulganiy Raji, has warned those who have no Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to stay away from polling units during the conduct of the state governorship election on Saturday.

    According to him, Independent National Electoral Commission gave enough time for registered voters to collect their PVCs and lodge complaints before the process ended on Wednesday.

    He said although Rapid Response Squad would be positioned at strategic locations during the election, no armed policeman would be at any of the polling units so that the electorate would not feel intimidated.

    He said, “INEC in Ekiti is fully prepared for the election. We have 913,334 voters registered, out of which 667,270 have collected their permanent voter cards.

    “This means that 667,270 will vote in Saturday’s election.”

  • Ekiti poll: FG spending Abacha’s loot to sponsor Fayemi – Eleka

    The governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, has accused the Federal Government of moving part of the $321m recovered from the late Abacha family to Ekiti for Saturday’s governorship election.

    Eleka, who is the incumbent deputy governor, said about $50m of the recovered loot was moved from Abuja in a chartered flight through Akure Airport to Ekiti in two bullion vans to support the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

    The Director, Media and Publicity of Kolapo Olusola Campaign Organisation, Lere Olayinka, raised this alarm at a press briefing in Ado Ekiti on Thursday.

    He said, “Last week Saturday, two bullion vehicles were moved to the Akure Airport to evacuate cash brought from Abuja by a chartered flight.

    “The flight landed when it was raining and all staff members of the airport were barred from going near the aircraft while the cash was evacuated into the two bullion vehicles.

    “After offloading the huge cash, the bullion van first moved to the Ondo State Government House in Akure from where they left for Isan Ekiti, the hometown of the APC governorship candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi.”

    Eleka claimed that preliminary findings indicated that N2.5bn cash was transferred by the Kebbi State Government to an account in UBA, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

    “It was withdrawn immediately and moved with a private jet to Akure. Also, apart from the N2.5bn, another $50m (about N18bn) was taken from the $321m recovered from the late Abacha family.

    “Our question is, how can a government that claimed to be fighting corruption released billions of naira from the public coffers for the governorship election of a single state? Where is their fight against corruption?”

    Eleka called on Nigerians to note this wanton looting of public fund by the APC government to fund the election of its members.

    “We must tell Fayemi and his APC that the conscience of the people of Ekiti cannot be purchased and we call on the people of Ekiti to resist the planned use of the stolen fund to buy their votes of Saturday,” he added.

    Eleka also called the attention of the public to alleged intimidation and harassment of PDP members by men of the Department of State Services and policemen.

    But reacting, the Director, Media and Publicity, Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Wole Olujobi, described the allegation as coming from the pit of hell.

    He said, “Discerning minds will note the lies contained in the story by a single logic that it took Eleka (Olusola) and Olayinka a whole week after the leak of funds movement before they alerted Nigerians about a purported money cargo being offloaded in Akure for Fayemi’s election in Ekiti.

    “By this lie from the pit of hell, we know that the PDP is trying to paint a picture that it is a comrade-in-crime with APC after Fayose’s 2014 poll fraud funded with the loot from the office of the National Security Adviser.”

  • JUST IN: Police vacate Ekiti Govt House, Eleka’s campaign office

    JUST IN: Police vacate Ekiti Govt House, Eleka’s campaign office

    Officers and men of the Nigeria Police on Thursday vacated the gates to Ekiti State Government House they had occupied for two days.

    The development succeeded in dousing the mounting tension generated by Wednesday’s encounter between the State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose and the police.

    The security agents also vacated the campaign office of the Gubernatorial Candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Deputy Gov. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka.

    Supporters of the governor had thronged the Government House for the greater part of the day.

    Many of them, who demanded to see the governor hail and hearty, were intermittently calmed down by some of the aides who said that the governor was getting better and that there was no cause for alarm.

    Deputy Gov. Olusola-Eleka told the supporters that the governor was fast regaining consciousness and that there was nothing to fear.

    He also told them to maintain the peace and to refrain from taking the law into their hands, saying that two wrongs would not make a right.

    After the vacation, supporters of the governor trooped in to identify with him. They said they had no regret over their decision.

    Meanwhile, there are strong indications that Gov. Fayose may declare one-day free-working on Friday to enable civil servants to travel for Saturday’s polls.

    Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Idowu Adelusi, told newsmen that arrangements were on to allow workers to leave for their home towns since there would be restriction of human and vehicular movements on Saturday.

  • [TRENDING VIDEO] Heavy shooting as police disperse Fayose’s victory rally in Ado Ekiti

    [TRENDING VIDEO] Heavy shooting as police disperse Fayose’s victory rally in Ado Ekiti

    There was pandemonium on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital as police operatives dispersed a victory rally organised by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    The rally according to the governor was a celebration in advance of the July 14 governorship election for his deputy and the PDP governorship flagbearer in the election, Prof. Eleka Olusola.

    The rally however turned violent as police operatives allegedly teargas supporters at the government house where the governor also reportedly collapsed and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

    See video below:

    Gunshots at Ekiti State Government House

    A post shared by Media/News Company (@thenewsgurung) on

    Gov. Fayose breaks down in tears at PDP rally

    A post shared by Media/News Company (@thenewsgurung) on

  • Jonathan condemns blockade of Ekiti Govt House

    Jonathan condemns blockade of Ekiti Govt House

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on security operatives deployed in Ekiti state for Saturday’s governorship election to do their job within the confines of the law.

    Jonathan was reacting to a Blockade of the the Ekiti State Government House by armed policemen on Wednesday , preventing supporters of Governor Ayodele Fayose from gaining access.

    It was learned that a rally scheduled to take place at Fajuyi Park, near Government House, was broken up, as policemen fired teargas canisters into the crowd.

    According to reports, policemen went after PDP members, who fled into Government House, and flushed them out.

    Governor Fayose later told newsmen that he was harassed by the security operatives.

    Speaking with newsmen after the incident, Fayose burst into tears, saying he was slapped, kicked and shot at by the policemen.

    Narrating his ordeal, Fayose, with a neck brace, vowed never to be intimidated as he urged supporters of the party to rally behind the PDP candidate Prof. Olusola Kolapo.

    And Jonathan, who reacted to this development through his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, said, ”I am appealing to the security agencies deployed in Ekiti State for the governorship election to carry out their duties according to the laws of the land by securing the state in a manner that will enable a peaceful electoral process,” he said in a statement.

    “If it is true that the state governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, was assaulted as reported in the media, my appeal is that such should not be allowed to happen again, since the governor’s constitutional immunity guarantees that he should be given official protection to freely conduct the business of governing the state.”

  • 667,064 to vote in Ekiti gov poll – INEC

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday disclosed that a total of 667,064 voters are expected to vote in Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship poll. Speaking yesterday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of the state, Prof. Yakubu said the commission decided to distribute the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to the ward level to motivate the electorate to be able to exercise their franchise rights.

    “For transparency, all uncollected PVCs will be brought to INEC office in Ado Ekiti and warehoused for safe keeping until a new date is fixed to resume the PVC collection. “However, since the Anambra State Governorship election held in November 2017, we have introduced an additional measure of transparency.

    “I wish to reassure that our officials are under strict instruction to remain neutral. We have also accredited credible foreign and local observers to monitor this election. “We are confident that with the arrangements we have put in place, Ekiti State governorship election will be another good example of free, fair, credible and peaceful election and a further affirmation of the maturity of our democracy,” he said.

    Meanwhile the stakeholders’ meeting summoned by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris in association with INEC ended in uproar due to disruption of the meeting half way by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). During the meeting, the representative of the PDP, Hon. Samuel Omotoso; a serving lawmaker raised issues concerning the candidate of the APC, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who he alleged had been boasting of winning the election, irrespective of whether he lost or won. Omotoso equally raised observations about how he and his family were allegedly shot at by security agencies during APC rally in his community at Oloje town in Oye Local Government Area of the state, querying why some security agencies had been openly partisan, even as the election approaches.

    His repeating Fayemi’s name as he kept lamenting his fate, caused the APC members to shout him down, creating a moment of bitter exchanges, after which the PDP lapsed into shouts of ‘Eleka Ibo’,meaning ‘votes for Eleka’, a development which lasted more than 10 minutes, soon after which stakeholders met secretly and dispersed soon after, as efforts to bring the situation under control was unsuccessful.

    Earlier, the IGP warned political leaders and their supporters not to engage the services of thugs, noting whoever was arrested would be dealt with the way of laws guiding the conduct of elections.

    “We want all party supporters to refrain from all acts that can precipitate violence at the polling booths such as canvassing for votes, wearing of party insignias, dissuading voters from voting for candi-dates of their choices, loitering and blaring of siren on the day of election. “We will also not tolerate ignoring of restriction of movement orders by the police. Don’t see election as a matter of life and death.

    “Let me state that police will not hesitate to deal with anybody no matter how highly placed found flouting electoral laws. Let me call for the collaboration and support of the entire sister agencies and the INEC officials. Police officers have been warned to be of good conduct during and after the election. “If you notice any misconduct on the part of any police, do not hesitate to report to the senior officers on the ground or contact me directly,” he said.