Ekiti 2014: Bamidele Suspends Rally over Insecurity
Written by Julius Toba Jegede
Labour Party LP's gubernatorial candidate Hon Michael Opeyemi Bamidele has suspended his political campaign ahead of June 21st, 2014 election till further notice, citing insecurity as a reason.
Bamidele disclosed this yesterday in his hometown, Iyin Ekiti during a press briefing where he accused incumbent governor Kayode Fayemi of embarking on campaign of terror.
Bamidele said recent activities of the governor and thugs allegedly sponsored by his All Progressives Congress, APC had forced him to put on hold; his scheduled rally.
He said the rally could only continue until a time when the police give assurances that members of his campaign trail would not be provocatively attacked.
He also vowed that “in the next few days, we will change our campaign tactics, we will consult and contact stakeholders within and outside the state on the way forward”
“We are standing on the right side of history, we promised a campaign of issues but what we are getting is a tyranny of incumbency from Fayemi and those who believe he must win a re-election by force. We are tired of a campaign where only the posters of the sitting governor will be allowed to be pasted in Ekiti. In the last two weeks, 18 of my billboards have been destroyed by agents of the governor.
“It is on record also that during our rallies, my followers have been attacked in Egbe Ekiti, Ilupeju Ekiti, Imesi Ekiti, Ipole Iloro Ekiti, Itaji Ekiti and Ikere Ekiti. But the irony of it is that in all these places, the police led by their DPOs have watched helplessly as if nothing happens”
But he reassured that “We are not pulling out of this race, because no amount of intimidation can stop us. We shall see it to the very end”
While pointing accusing finger at the incumbent governor for series of these attacks, Bamidele said Fayemi further took his attacks to the highest point this week Thursday when he did his rally in his hometown of Iyin Ekiti.
He also accused Fayemi of coming to Iyin Ekiti at gunpoint to do a political rally, before and after which according to him several LP youths were macheted and arrested.
He identified one Itunu the Ward (A) chairman of Iyin Ekiti as among those currently being held by the police when he tried to officially lodge a complaint to the police.
He narrated that few minutes after Fayemi's rally, eight of the LP youths were arrested and that they are still in police custody, as three others are receiving treatments in various hospitals.
Bamidele identified the duo of Deji Adesokan and Tajudeen Awe, both close associates of Fayemi as those behind the attacks.
He told of how the two led several cultists and political thugs to Iyin Ekiti 24 hours before Fayemi's rally to rain havoc on the people.
He also added that “I don't know for how long I will be able prevent people from reacting to all these acts of provocation. Also, I don't know how we can continue our rallies under the present circumstance”
“Between Fayemi and I, the world must hear us. The diplomatic community and rest of human right groups must know the kind of campaign Governor Fayemi is running in Ekiti”
Bamidele also disclosed that “a formal petition would be made to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar while two monarchs in the state had been reported to Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The two monarchs are Onipole of Ipole Iloro Ekiti Oba Babatola Ezekiel Olade and Onisan of Isan Ekiti HRH Sunday Ajiboye.
Onipole is being accused of partisanship and currently drawing double salaries as an Oba and Special Assistant under Fayemi Administration, while Onisan allegedly used his throne to stop Bamidele from entering his town to do campaign.
The Oniyin of Iyin Ekiti Oba Ademola Ajakaye who later received Bamidele and LP leaders in Ekiti in his palace stressed the need for all candidates to be given a level playing ground by those in authority.
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