EKITI PDP URGES PROBE OF AC SENATORIAL ASPIRANT’S ALLEGED ROAD RAGE
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has described the gangsterism allegedly displayed along Ibadan-Ife Road yesterday, by suspected thugs that were in the convoy of one of the Action Congress (AC) Senatorial Aspirants in the State, Mr. Dele Alake as shameful, saying; “the incident must be investigated and all those involved prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.”
Alake and two others were arrested and detained at Iyaganku Police Station, Ibadan on Wednesday for allegedly shooting at the convoy of a former Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Chief Tunji Alapini on Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Windscreen of Alapinni's Toyotal Land Cruiser Jeep marked TJ 10 AAA was shattered while the former police boss sustained injury in his right arm.
According to Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olabisi Okuwobi, one Pump Action gun marked R442263 and four live cartridges were recovered from Alake's car with registration number NT 963 KJA. Also, an identity card and a firearm licence number 002026, belonging to Alake were recovered.
Reacting to the incident, the PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Lekan Adekanbi said; “If we must have free and fair elections next years, matters like this must not swept under the carpet.
“We believe the police should ask Alake what the business of the gun-wielding thugs would be when they get to Ekiti State. If an Ekiti State aspirant was already moving around with thugs armed to the teeth, and the thugs were causing pandemonium in faraway Ibadan, then what to expect from such an aspirant during the election should be better imagined.”
Describing the incident as shameful and against the culture of honour, peace and hospitality that Ekiti people are noted for, the PDP said; “It is unfortunate that it was these same people that imported violence to Ekiti, having been taught the art of political brigand by their Lagos political landlord.
“Nigerians should recall the invasion of Ekiti by thugs from Lagos during the April 25, 2009 rerun governorship election, the wanton destruction of houses at Isan-Ekiti, AC governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi's hometown in 2007 and 2009, the destruction of over 30 vehicles at Ifaki-Ekiti during the Ekiti North Senatorial District rerun election among others.
“Nigerians should also recalled that Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, who is also an AC member, Hon. Saliu Adeoti had at a time brought a fully loaded Semi Automatic Pump Action gun to the premises of the Assembly.
“Now, with the display of gangsterism by Alake and his thugs on Wednesday, Nigerians can begin to imagine what to expect from the AC during the 2011 elections.
“Therefore, if we must have a violence free election next year, the AC and its group of political war mongers should be checked now!”