ACN HAD NO HANDS IN PDP VICTORY IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION - EKITI PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has described as false claim by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that its supporters made the PDP's victory in the last Saturday presidential election possible, saying; “the voting pattern of Saturday's election was not too different from those of 2003, 2007 and 2009, when he PDP won elections convincingly in the State.”
State Chairman of the party, Chief Bola Olu-Ojo, who made this known in a release issued in Ado-Ekiti today noted that; “The fact here is that PDP is in the majority in Ekiti and that has been proven by the last Saturday election and it would be further proved on April 26.”
The party also thanked residents of the State, especially public servants, who in spite of threat of sack by the ACN government still trooped out enmasse to vote for the PDP saying; “We commend your doggedness and steadfastness, and wish to state that our party, the PDP will continue to promote the interest of the workers.”
His words; “The ACN people that are saying these entire have been concealing the fact that the party (ACN) scored over 90 percent of the votes cast in Isan-Ekiti, home of Kayode Fayemi?
“It should be placed on record that the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi went about shooting sporadically at Ilupeji-Ekiti, disrupting election at his polling unit when he discovered that the ACN was losing.
“It is also on record that Fayemi's Special Assistant on Internal Security, Deji Adesokan (aka Jahrule) used armed policemen and thugs to snatch ballot boxes at Iyin-Ekiti, moving about in a government Hilux van.
“Also at Usi-Ekiti, votes in more than five polling units were destroyed by ACN thugs led by Femi Adeleye, an ACN member of the State House of Assembly. Some of the thugs were identified 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.
“Again, at Igbole-Ekiti, ACN Chairman for Ekiti North Senatorial District, Chief Jide Ogunbiyi brought thugs from Lagos to the town.
One of the thugs, Omolafe Shefiu, attempted to kill Hon. Femi Ajaja in his house. Ajaja was matcheted severally but escaped by whiskers.
Omolafe Shefiu, who was arrested by the police confessed that he hails from Ita-Ogbolu, Ondo State and that he was recruited from Lagos with an advance payment of N20, 000 and a promise of N100, 000 and a motorcycle upon completion of the assignment. Both Chief Ogunbiyi and Omolafe are now in police net!
“At Ilawe-Ekiti, Fayemi's Chief of Staff, Mr. Yemi Adaramodu was at his terror best. He moved round the town with armed policemen and thugs, destroying votes in units where PDP had overwhelming votes.
“Also at Iworoko, caretaker chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Mr. Kayode Ojo used thugs to disrupt voting exercise.
“All these and several other violent acts were carried out by the ACN during the last Saturday presidential election. Yet, the ACN people are telling their depleted supporters that they supported Mr.
President.
“Was the destruction of votes by ACN thugs at Usi, Igbole, Ijurin, Ilupeju, Ilawe, Iyin, Eda-Oniyo, Ipere and other major towns in the State part of the ACN's support for the president?
“Was the threatening of civil servants who was perceived to have voted for the PDP with sack by Fayemi's government also part of the ACN's support for President Jonathan?
“Was it because the ACN supported our candidate the reason one of the governor's aides, Mr Tope Longe was going about in Oye with guns and acid until he was arrested by security men?”
Appealling to the federal government for provision of adequate security during the next Tuesday elections, Olu-Ojo alleged that; “Owing to the dismal performance of the ACN in the last Saturday election, the party has commenced clandestine plans to cause mayhem during the National and State Assemblies polls slated for next Tuesday.
“The main plan of the ACN is to destroy votes in our strongholds and manipulate votes in the few areas where the ACN is popular.
“Areas listed for destruction of votes are Okemesi, Ijero, Usi, Ifaki, Ise, Oye, Iworoko, Ilawe, Aramoko, some towns in Moba, Ilejemeje, Ekiti East and Gbonyin Local governments.
“Already, thugs and arms are being moved into the above listed towns.
“Also, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are being wooed with cash and those who refuse are being threatened.
“Therefore, in view of the fact that the ACN in Ekiti State are not ready for a free and fair election, we wish to call for provision of adequate security before, during and after the elections.
“Most importantly, there should be adequate deployment of military personnel to the State to ensure strict compliance with the restriction of movement order.”