Nigeria Content Online

The governorship
candidate of the Action Congress (AC) in Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi,
yesterday escaped what was described as an attack on his life through
sheer luck as some armed men fired gun shots at his vehicle.

Mr. Fayemi was
returning from the State High Court, Ado-Ekiti, the venue of the
Election Petitions Tribunal hearing his petition against Ekiti State
governor, Segun Oni, when the unfortunate incident happened. The black
sport utility vehicle he was in was waylaid by suspected armed
political thugs not too far from a popular eatery outlet in the city.

The eatery is very close to the foyer of the state governor’s office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Bits and pieces

NEXT gathered that
the attack was carried out around 1.pm by a popular thug, who led his
colleague to hatch their plan. The source, which was very close to
where the attack occurred, said a van with Government House number
plate was used to carry out the task.

Meanwhile, no fewer
than 11 supporters of the AC were injured following the clash that
broke out after the failed attack on Mr. Fayemi’s life. Also attacked
was a journalist working with Channels Television, Felix Vincent.

Mr. Felix was
attacked when he was trying to film the clash and sustained a deep cut
on his head. Richard Akinbode, a camera man with Africa Independent
Television, also sustained a minor injury.

The duo were
immediately rushed to Government House clinic where they received
treatment. The attack on the two journalists have continued to attract
criticisms, with the leaders of the AC and the PDP trading accusations.

The state
government, through a statement issued by the chief press secretary,
Wale Ojo-Lanre, blamed AC thugs for the attack on the journalists.

The statement
reads: “Ekiti State Government has faulted the attack on journalists
and some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by thugs hired
by the Action Congress (AC) and its governorship candidate. The
unprovoked attack was not only barbaric and shameful but highly
illogical. We wish to alert the public of another reign of terror
unleashed on the peace-loving people of Ekiti State by some rampaging
thugs that were on the entourage of the AC governorship candidate, Dr.
Kayode Fayemi.

“After the adoption
of the written addresses of all parties to the case filed by Dr. Fayemi
against the declaration of Governor Segun Oni as winner of the April 25
rerun governorship election, he (Fayemi) and his entourage attacked
innocent journalists and supporters of the PDP few metres after Fajuyi
Park, Ado-Ekiti.

“Felix Vincent,
Channels Television reporter, who sustained deep cut on his head and
Sunday Aluko are now receiving treatment at the Government House
Clinic, Ado-Ekiti. Mr. Richard Akinbode, a cameraman with the Africa
Independent Television (AIT) also sustained minor injury in the
attacked while his camera was damaged beyond repairs.

“Though we
understand the frustration of Fayemi and his AC people, having been
shown in clear terms at the tribunal premises that they are not wanted
by Ekiti people and coupled with the abysmal performance of his legal
team at the tribunal, we are miffed by the incessant unprovoked attacks
on innocent residents of Ekiti State by the AC thugs.”

AC blames PDP

The Action
Congress’s director of communications, Yemi Adaramodu, however charged
security agencies in the state to call “PDP thugs” to order before they
throw the state into disorder. The party urged its supporters to remain
calm in the face of the attack.

He said “The PDP
thugs molested, dehumanised and brutalised AC supporters in an
unprovoked attack at the same junction as a result of which many of
them suffered various degrees of injury. They wounded Mary
Aladetoyinbo, wife of Ado-Ekiti AC Chairman; women leader from Ilawe,
Moji Alokan and several other defenceless women. A correspondent with
Channels TV had his head broken by these PDP thugs and was later
dragged to the government house while the AC was accused of attacking
him.”

The police spokesperson in Ekiti, Mohhamed Jimoh, who spoke over the
telephone, said some hoodlums wanted to attack Mr Fayemi, but were
prevented from doing so by prompt intervention of policemen. He said
the quick intervention brought the situation under control and Mr.
Fayemi was not hurt in the incident.