SLAIN EKITI PDP CHIEFTAIN BURIED AMIDST ANGER, TEARS, RAIN OF CAUSES

Amidst anger, wailing and rain of causes, Chief Adeleye Awolumate, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman for Osun Ward in Moba Local Government area of Ekiti State, who was among the victims of the reign of terror unleashed on the State on Thursday, November 15, 2010 by Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was buried on Saturday.

Awolumate died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ido-Ekiti last Sunday as a result of the machete cuts inflicted on him by the ACN thugs that invaded that the Osun and other towns and villages in Ekiti State on Thursday, November 15.

The deceased, who was badly injured, was rushed to the FMC, Ido-Ekiti where he died after spirited battle to save his life by doctors in the hospital.

Wives of the slain PDP chieftain, Dele and Dupe Awolumate, who wept uncontrollably openly rained causes on the killers of their husband, saying; “God will punish those who killed our husband. As they have turned us to widows, God will also make their wives to widow and their children fatherless overnight.”

In his sermon at the graveside of 49 year-old Chief Awolumate, a Catholic Cleric, M. A. Olanrewaju said families, friends and political associates of the deceased should not revenge the gruesome murder, imploring them to leave vengeance for God.

“God is the supreme judge in all human endeavours and in this case, He is sure going to judge the killers of Adeleye Awolumate in His own way,” he said.

Addressing sympathisers after the burial, former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Olusegun Oni, who was moved to tears appealed for calm, saying the law enforcement agents, would see to it that those found culpable in the murder of the deceased are brought to book.

The former governor, who also gave an undisclosed amount of money to the deceased family to take care of their immediate expenses promised to provide assistance for the family.

“We were in government here for three and half years, we did not kill anybody. We did not even sponsor attack on anyone. But in just one month of their government, we have witnessed gruesome murders of innocent Ekiti indigenes, whose only offence was that they do not belong to their party.

“What we are witnessing in Ekiti now is a result of power getting to the hands of cowards because when you give power to a coward, he uses it first on his immediate environment.

“But I want to plead with all of you here not to revenge the murder of Chief Adeleye Awolumate. Please, leave revenge for God.

“Besides, those who killed Awolumate are not indigenes of Osun-Ekiti here. If you now chose to attack perceived ACN members, who are your kinsmen, you will be compounding the problems of Osun-Ekiti. If you burn houses here, you will only burn houses belonging to Osun indigenes and not those of the people, who killed Awolumate. Or is Mentillo, Niyi Adedipe, Taju, Jarule and others from Osun-Ekiti?

“So, please do not attack anyone. Allow God and the law enforcement agents to intervene and I am sure that whoever takes joy in spilling the blood of innocent Ekiti people will one day face the wrath of God.

Those who believed that they have hurt us, God will hurt them too,”

Oni said.
Also speaking, State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Bola Olu-Ojo promised that the party would do all that it could do to make sure that the children and wives left behind by the murdered ward chairman do not suffer.

Olu-Ojo announced that a chieftain of the PDP, Otunba Jimoh Adedayo had offered to take over the sponsorship of Helen Awolumate, who is undergoing a National Certificate of Education (NCE) course while Northern Senatorial Chairman of the party, Chief Tunde Adetifa also offered to the education of Taiwo, another of the deceased children, who is in Senior Secondary School.

The State Chairman also disclosed that Senator Ayo Arise, representing Ekiti North Senatorial District had donated a sum of N.5 million for the family upkeep.

During a visit to the palace of Owa of Osun-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adeleke Adeleye, the monarch, who described late Awolumate as one of his senior chiefs thanked the former governor, PDP leaders and supporters for sharing in their moment of grief.

He described the murder of Awolumate as a great loss to the town, pleading that the party should not allow the deceased family to suffer.