Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Oke-Ako Ekiti, Irele-Ekiti and Ijowa-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State have condemned the violence, intimidation and attacks that reportedly attended the House of Representatives primary of the party, held in Ward 11, Ipao-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The APC members lamented that the exercise ought to have reflected the democratic ideals of the party, but was marred by violent attacks carried out, allegedly by political thugs against party faithful perceived to be supporting a different aspirant from the one backed by the attackers.
Among those attacked were Hon. Samuel Adetiba and Mr. Ore Bamidele, the latter was beaten into a coma and is presently in critical condition at a private hospital in the locality.
This was as elderly men and women from the three communities were allegedly molested, threatened and forcefully removed from voting queues simply for supporting aspirants of their choices.
Beyond the physical attacks on APC members, campaign banners belonging to the aspirant opposed by the attackers were also reportedly vandalised and destroyed during the incident.
The APC members pointed fingers at one of the chairmanship candidates for Local Community Development Authority (LCDA) as being the mastermind of the attacks.
They further alleged that the attack was perpetrated in the presence of the APC leader in the Ekamefa Area, Hon. Samuel Abejide, who was said to have done nothing to stop the attacks on the party faithful.
In addition to the physical assaults, properties belonging to APC members in Ipao-Ekiti were reportedly damaged.
Olaiya Ajibulu, who spoke on behalf of the affected APC members, expressed concern over what he described as a growing atmosphere of fear and political intolerance capable of undermining party unity and threatening the safety of members participating in future exercises.
He said the affected APC members from the three communities appealed passionately to the state leadership of the party, as well as Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji to urgently intervene in the matter.
They also requested that subsequent APC primary elections involving the three communities be moved away from Ipao-Ekiti to a neutral and safer venue where the lives and rights of party members could be adequately protected.
“Alternatively, we appeal that Oke-Ako Ekiti, Irele-Ekiti and Ijowa-Ekiti should be allowed to conduct their remaining primary elections at a separate venue where members can freely exercise their democratic rights without intimidation, harassment, or fear of violence,” Ajibulu stated.
The affected APC members sympathised with all victims of the attacks and prayed for the speedy recovery of those currently receiving medical attention, particularly Mr. Ore Bamidele.
They reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals of democracy, peaceful coexistence and party unity, and urged stakeholders to ensure that future political exercises are conducted in an atmosphere of peace, fairness and mutual respect.
