Ondo Decides: Akeredolu’s Hometown Attacked, Apc Chieftain Killed

SAN FRANCISCO, November 25, (THEWILL) – Thugs, suspected to be politically motivated, have attacked the homes of some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owo town, the hometown of the APC candidate in the state's gubernatorial election, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

The thugs, suspected to be working for a prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in the town, killed a chieftain of the APC, Afolabi Olaposi, popularly called Arogun, and destroyed vehicles in the compound of another APC chieftain, Chief Jamiu Ekungba.

The hoodlums invaded the house of Ekungba, Board of Trustees (BOT) member of APC and participant in the September 3 primary election of the APC in the state and were said to have vandalised it destroying seven vehicles after a failed bid to burn his house.

The APC, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Omo'ba Abayomi Adesanya, said Olaposi, an ardent supporter of Akeredolu, from Igboroko Ward 1 in Owo, was shot dead on his way home after a meeting held by the party.

“Olaposi, who is one of the leaders of our party in Igboroko Ward 1, Owo, was also an ardent supporter of our Governorship Candidate, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN),” Adesanya said.

“He was a perfect gentleman who was committed to the development of the party in Owo and Ondo State in general.

“The assailant also went to the house of Chief Jamiu Ekungba, an APC aspirant in the Sept. 3 Primary, and vandalised seven vehicles in his compound.

“Ekungba was not to at home during the attack.
“We believe those calling for the postponement of the election and threatening a repeat of 1983 violence were behind these dastardly acts.

“We call on security agents in the state to fish out those behind these acts and ensure the protection of our people before, during and after the election.”

In a swift reaction to the allegations, the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP in Ondo State, Ayo Fadaka, denied any involvement of the party's supporters in the attacks on APC members in Owo and condemned the crisis that rocked the town, saying that crisis does no good to any community.

Also, the Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Femi Johnson, said the police would not fold its arms and watch hooligans to thrive before, during or after the election.

He warned the politicians in the state to call their supporters to order, declaring that security agencies were ready to deal ruthlessly with anyone found trying to truncate the peaceful atmosphere in the state.

Story by Oputah David