Ekiti 2014: Bamidele Escapes Gunshots from APC Thugs
Written by: Julius Toba Jegede
Seventy-two hours after Labour Party's (LP) governorship candidate Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele resumed his campaign rally hitherto suspended over insecurity, he has escaped death by whiskers just as his activities were again disrupted yesterday.
This happened despite assurances given to Bamidele by various security commands in Ekiti that he should resume the rallies in towns and villages across Ileje-meje local government area of Ekiti State.
But Bamidele who last week Friday sought police protection was shot at, from a close range by some thugs suspected said to have been sponsored by All Progressives Congress, APC politicians in the state.
This latest attack occurred at Ewu Ekiti in Ileje-Meje Local government area when Bamidele was about to alight from his vehicle.
The two gun-wielding youths fired gunshots at Bamidele's armoured Toyota Land Cruiser SUV and quickly disappeared into a nearby bush.
Efforts made by men of the SSS and Police attached to the convoy to arrest the hoodlums however failed.
It took about to thirty minutes for the security men and LP youths who combed nearby bushes looking for the APC youths to return to the rally ground.
Also at Eda-Oniyo Ekiti, APC thugs barricaded the road leading to the town and fired gunshots at the waiting crowd, but one the attackers was arrested and handed over to the police.
Meanwhile, indication has also emerged that no fewer than fifty anti-riot policemen and soldiers have been deployed from Abuja to beef up security around Bamidele's rally grounds.
Subsequent detachment of the men according to a party source followed two days of consultations embarked upon by Bamidele.
The source also revealed that the men who are expected in Ekiti before end of this week were “provided from the above”
Monday's rally which began at the palace of Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, Oba (HRH) Adetutu Ajayi also witnessed new faces of security men.
The monarch who spoke through one of his chiefs, High Chief Julius Fayeun gave royal blessings to the team led by Bamidele.
He reminded Bamidele of the critical areas where basic amenities are lacking in his community, especially healthcare services and electricity.
Among others, the monarch listed the construction of Ayetoro-Iye Ekiti road as one of such projects needed for transportation of farm produce.
He also spoke of the need to return him to a Grade I Oba, claiming that he was recently returned to a Grade II Oba under current administration.
Bamidele who later addressed his teeming supporters at the village square urged them not to be intimidated by opponents.
Other towns visited by the candidate yesterday included; Eda – Oniyo Ekiti, Ipere – Ekiti, Iludun – Ekiti etc
Ends
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