EKITI PDP WANTS ARRESTED ACN THUGS PROSECUTED

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Hafiz Ringim to ensure that all those arrested for electoral offences during the last Saturday presidential election in the State are brought to book to serve as deterrent to others.

State Chairman of the party, Chief Bola Olu-ojo, who made this call in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti today, said the PDP was aware of clandestine moves being made by the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and other chieftains of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the State to free all the party thugs arrested on Saturday.

“On Saturday, Special Assistant to Fayemi on Special Duties, Mr. Tope Longe was arrested alongside one Eji in Oye-Ekiti. Guns and acid were found in his vehicle. Also, the caretaker chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Mr. Kayode Ojo was arrested at Iworoko with his thugs, who disrupted voting in the town.

“Again, one Omolafe Shefiu, who allegedly matcheted Hon. Femi Ajaja at Igbole-Ekiti, Ido-Osi Local Government was also arrested and he is being detained at the Ido Police Station.

“We are however surprised that the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi is already making frantic moves to secure the release of these agents of evil. Particularly, we are aware of the several telephone calls that were made by the governor to the Division Police Officer (DPO) of Ido-Ekiti Police State today.

“It is therefore in the interest of peace that all these people are made to face the full wrath of the law so as to serve as a deterrent to others,” Olu-Ojo said.

While also calling for the arrest of the thugs, who destroyed votes in Usi-Ekiti, Olu-Ojo said; “We all saw how already used and sorted ballot papers were destroyed in more than five polling units at Usi-Ekiti and up till now, those who perpetrated that heinous crime are still walking the streets free.”

The chairman gave the names of the suspected thugs as Kole Ogunkolade, Kayode Folorunso, Peter Bosede, Dare Sunday, Tope Ayode, Segun Oluayo, Tope Ojo, Omoniyi Ayodeji, Sina Adefunmilayo, Yemi Dauda, Bayo Dada, Augustine Bobola, Ige Gbeleoyemi, Mayowa Adesuyi, Monday Isobo and Bunmi Ogunyemi.

He said; “If those who perpetrated crime in the State during the election are not arrested and prosecuted, we fear that our people might resort to self-help to protect themselves and their votes during the next elections scheduled for April 26, 2011.”