Politics

Ekiti 2022: APC, SDP Trade Blame As Supporters Engage In Bloody Clash

Published

3 years ago

June 12, 2022

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), on Saturday, traded blames in Ekiti after a shootout at Itaji Ekiti.

The clash left at least one person dead and several others injured.

Both parties claimed they were at the receiving end of the attack.

The SDP said that thugs from the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), wearing APC vests and armed with automatic rifles, shot sporadically at their campaign venues in Itaji-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of the state, while Segun Oni was addressing the rally.

Mr Oni, a former governor of the state, is the candidate of the SDP.

Jackson Adebayo, the spokesperson of the Segun Oni campaign, organisation said three persons were shot during the attack and one of the attackers was arrested and handed over to the police.

But Taiwo Olatunbosun, the director of Media and Publicity of the Biodun Oyebanji Campaign Organisation, said the APC supporters were attacked by the SDP thugs, killing one Tope Ajayi and injuring several others.

According to Mr Olatunbosun, an unspecified number of other APC members are presently hospitalized where medical personnel are battling to save their lives following life-threatening injuries they received in the attack carried out SDP thugs.

He said one of the victims, Joshua John, who is presently at a critical condition at the State University Teaching Hospital, said he was tortured and shot in the leg in the presence of Mr Oni and Mr Daramola, a former lawmaker.

Mr Olatunbosun said the APC’s campaign procession in Ekiti North senatorial district was peaceful earlier in the day until it was disrupted by SDP thugs under the command of Mr Daramola at Itaji-Ekiti. He said the attack was carried out in broad daylight.

He noted that the attack on Mr Ajayi was carried out by violent thugs who arrived in one Toyota Hilux and Tacoma vehicles.

He alleged that the SDP thugs shot at many vehicles in its campaign procession including the one belonging to the Special Adviser on Roads, Sunday Adunmo.

“It is very disturbing that Daramola was seen by eyewitnesses personally leading thugs parading as security officials, and instructed them to shoot directly at our members in Itaji-Ekiti,” said Mr Olatunbosun.

“He and others culpable of the breach of peace are to be held accountable.

“The death in Itaji-Ekiti is an addition to the statistics of politically-motivated fatalities allegedly traced to Oni in his desperation for power.

“It is tragic that within one week of Daramola decamping to the SDP, we have recorded a spate of violence including an attack on our campaign rally at Oke Ayedun on Friday, and now the brutal killing of our member today, and the maiming of many others who are now battling for their lives in the hospital.

“I assure all our peace-loving members and the good people of Ekiti State that despite the scheming of Bimbo Daramola and his newfound desperate cohorts in the SDP, the June 18 governorship election would be peaceful and the APC would be victorious.”

He said the Oyebanji Campaign wants the police to invite Mr Daramola and other SDP leaders to state all they know about the attack for justice to be done to the deceased and the injured and prevent a reoccurrence in days ahead.

He also said the Oyebanji Campaign was in possession of intelligence that hundreds of thugs and youths had been armed with guns and other dangerous weapons across the state to cause mayhem at the instance of Mr Oni, whom he accused of being desperate for power.

In its statement, the SDP said the APC thugs were allegedly sent by Rotimi Olanbiwoninu, a-k-a Mentilo, the Ekiti State Chairman of RTEAN, to disrupt the SDP Itaji campaign by shooting at its supporters.

Mr Adebayo noted that it took the mobile police and some soldiers on patrol about 30 minutes to bring the situation under control.

“The unlucky thug confessed that they were sent by Mentilo and that he (Mentilo) was working for the Biodun Oyebamiji Campaign Organisation,” said Mr Adebayo.

At Oye, said Mr Adebayo, “the RTEAN drivers allegedly shot three members of the SDP who were waiting for the arrival of Oni who was due to address party supporters in the town.”

He, however, said in spite of the violence at Itaji and Oye, the people trooped out enmass to welcome Mr Oni, promising to vote for him. He said the APC thugs could not intimidate or prevent them from coming out to vote on the election day.

He said the injured SDP members were taken to the hospital while the matter was reported to the Commissioner of Police.

Sunday Abutu, the spokesperson of the police in Ekiti State, told PREMIUM TIMES that the situation had been brought under control and that investigations were ongoing to determine the facts of the incident.

Politics

2027: Peter Obi Speaks On Running For President, Deal With Atiku

Published

14 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election, debunking speculation that he may team up with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a running mate.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a Channels TV programme, Obi dismissed suggestions that he was considering a vice-presidential slot under Atiku or any other candidate.

“Nobody has ever discussed with me whether to be A or B or C,” Obi said. “I am going to contest for the President of Nigeria, and I believe I’m qualified.”

Obi also clarified that the coalition of opposition parties, which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform ahead of 2027, was not a departure from the Labour Party, nor was it an act of disloyalty.

“There is nothing anti-party in the decision,” he explained. “We are not abandoning where we are. We are going there together. What is constant is that we have agreed to work together.”

On his association with some political figures regarded by critics as controversial or having baggage, Obi argued that inclusive leadership was essential to national progress.

“The job of a leader is to change,” he said. “You need everybody. If you want to serve, you must serve everybody.”

The former Anambra governor also took a swipe at the Bola Tinubu-led administration, criticising its handling of governance and promising to offer a more disciplined and competent leadership if elected.

“We’re going to ensure that we remove Tinubu’s government by all lawful means,” he said. “I will govern within the law, I will bring civility to Nigeria, and I will appoint competent people into office. I will not be Minister of Petroleum.”

Obi’s remarks come as opposition figures intensify efforts to form a united front in the run-up to 2027, amid growing concerns over economic hardship and governance under the current administration.

Politics

Coalition Illogical, Driven By Personal Ambition – Bode George

Published

22 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

Elder statesman and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has criticised former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President, David Mark for “messing up” the PDP and aligning with the Alliance for Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition. He said the coalition is driven by personal ambition, not the collective interest of Nigeria.

George, in an exclusive interview with Sunday Tribune, described the coalition as illogical, ill-timed, and lacking substance. He questioned the rationale behind their departure from the PDP, especially at a time when the party had resolved its internal crisis.

Prominent politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and their counterparts from Kaduna, Rivers, and Osun States—Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, respectively—formally adopted the ADC as their coalition platform on Wednesday in Abuja.

Reacting to the alliance, George said: “If it is not self-aggrandisement, what are they running away from? If your roof is leaking, would you run away from the house? No. You stay there and repair it. What is wrong with the PDP? We had a crisis in the party, which they were part of. We’ve resolved it, so why are they running? I have appealed to them to have a rethink and return home. If they don’t, let them stay where they are. It doesn’t matter.”

He expressed disappointment over their decision to abandon the PDP and form a coalition to oust President Bola Tinubu, rather than staying to build the party.

“Is dumping the PDP and forming a coalition the right way to send President Tinubu out of office?” he queried.

In addition, he said: “They have divided the house they built, and that means they are pursuing personal ambition, not the corporate interest of this country. What is Atiku looking for in the coalition? What is David Mark looking for? They caused the mess at the last National Convention. You don’t need a degree to see that it’s illogical. What are they seeking? They just want to sack Bola Tinubu, and now they’re congregating. Everybody in that coalition wants to be president—so how will that work? I wish them the best of luck.”

However, he appealed to them to return to the PDP to help rebuild the nation.

“They should all come back and help rebuild the broken walls of this nation. In the PDP, we have resolved our crisis. This isn’t the right time to walk away. These are people who have benefitted immensely from the party. One was the number two man in Nigeria. Another, who claims to be acting chairman, was the number three. What more do they want? I’m disenchanted. I’m angry. What kind of reasoning is this? Do you go to war and surrender to the enemy? Everyone in that coalition, except Rauf Aregbesola, came from the PDP. The PDP made them who they are today.”

“Now that we’ve resolved our crisis and are settling down to build unity, they’re off forming a coalition. An iroko tree doesn’t just sprout and fall in the bush. No matter the storm, the iroko stands tall. Maybe Bola Tinubu has gone to consult a babalawo (herbalist), and that’s what’s disturbing them and making them act irrationally. I don’t believe in babalawo, but maybe he has—and that’s why they’re running around.”

“Our party doesn’t have a single person who owns it. He is just a member like everyone else. He has to redefine his position. Bola has reportedly told him to go and deliver the FCT and Rivers State, and he says he’s still working there.”

“Let the next NEC meeting come; decisions will be made. For me, this coalition is a non-issue. It’s all selfishness and self-aggrandisement. At a time when we should be talking about the corporate existence and livelihood of ordinary Nigerians, they’re not doing that. Nigerians will decide,” he concluded.
(TRIBUNE ONLINE)

Politics

2027: Power Minister Declares Oyo gov Ambition, Begins Consultation

Published

2 days ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, on Friday, met with All Progressives Congress leaders and stakeholders in Ogbomoso and Oyo zones in Oyo State, respectively.

Addressing party members in Ogbomoso at the residence of one of the leaders of the party, Ayoade Adeseun, the minister said the meeting was part of his consultations across geopolitical zones in the state towards realisation of his governorship ambition in 2027.

He, therefore, allayed the fear of the party stakeholders that APC would not impose any aspirant in 2027, saying, “I’m up to the task, I want to show them that I can withstand and survive competition and come out victorious.”

While seeking their supports towards the realisation of his ambition, Adelabu pleaded for forgiveness from aggrieved members, saying they should be concerned of how the party will come back to power in 2027.

He said, “I’m here to tell you that I want to contest for governor of Oyo State in 2027. I’m ready to put to test all experience I’ve gathered from the past two elections.

“I’m not against other zones becoming governor of the state, all I know is that God’s time is the best.

“Ogbomoso is very important in this state election, I’m here to seek for your support and backing, I’m happy to see that all the factions in Ogbomoso are now one.”

He also called on people in the zone to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu for more dividends of democracy.

“This is another turn of Yorubas to serve their two terms as President of Nigeria. Nigeria has a lot to benefit if Tinubu is re-elected,” Adelabu added.

In Oyo town, Adelabu pleaded for their supports, saying “I will run all inclusive government where everybody will be involved in governance of the state and no one will be left behind if I become governor of the state in 2027.

“I’m here for people to know that no one can impose anybody, I want to work and prove to our party members that I’m up to the task, I want to show them that I can withstand and survive competition and come out victorious.

“Oyo is like a second home to me, my supporters, followers, associates and allied are all here, they have been supporting me in the past and they are ready to support me again.

“I will give what is due to Oyo. Oyo zone deserves better treatment because it is symbolic, Oyo is historical, symbolic and blessing to the entire state.”

Adeseun and son of former governor, Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, urged members of the party to come together and ensure emergence of the APC in 2027.