Joint press release by former Ekiti State Governors on the security situation in Ekiti

Press statement as released on Kayode Fayemi's website today about the security situation Ekiti state

It has come to our attention that a team of hoodlums in three unmarked Hilux vehicles went round the State, armed with guns, machetes, knives and axes to the houses of APC membersand also to the homes of PDP members in the State who are opposed to the political philosophy of Governor Ayo Fayose. Their most recent operation centered on Ijero Local Government. There, they created mayhem, beat and tortured the 90-year old father of the Commissioner for Financeunder the Fayemi administration. The hoodlums destroyed shops and properties including cars belonging even to PDP members because of their perceived opposition to Fayose. The APC members were severely bloodied in the process.

This came barely 48 hours after former Governors Adebayo, Oni and Fayemi visited the State Commissioner of Police as well as the State Director of DSS on the security situation in Ekiti.  The Governors had called on the security chiefs to prevail on Governor Fayose to put an end to the ongoing impunity, thuggery, brigandage, political rascality and torture. We had warned that if push comes to shove, the Party and all well-meaning people in the State will result to self-help to protect themselves, their assets and their rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

During the visit of the Vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Ekiti on Monday March 23rd, 2015, members of APC riding to the reception venue in Buhari/Osinbajo and APC branded vehicles were attacked in Ado Ekiti. They were shot at and several of their vehicles, including those belonging to Hon. Mrs. Bunmi Oriniowo, APC House of Assembly candidate and Amb. Olofin, the APC Ekiti Central Senatorial candidate, were destroyed by the hoodlums.  We want to state unequivocally that we will no longer tolerate any further unprovoked attack on and willful destruction of APC branded vehicles and assets in the State.

Keeping calm thus far is not out of weakness or incapacity to respond. We are only mindful of the lessons of history. Please recall that the First Republic ended with the “Operation Wetie” political violence that erupted in Ekiti when similar situation of political rascality as we have now became prevalent in the West. We do not want this to happen again. Notwithstanding, if further provoked, we will have no choice than to respond in kind!

We can no longer continue to live with a situation in which seven lawmakers are making laws for the State in gross violation of our Constitution. It is alarming that this can be allowed to continue without anyone attempting to call the abnormality to order. Ekiti belongs to all of us and we will not allow any group of hoodlums to willfully bastardize our values and heritage. We remain committed to handing over to our children “a banner without stain”. We hope the security forces will actively carry out their constitutional mandate and savethis democracy from collapse.

Signed:

1.     His Excellency, Otunba Niyi Adebayo

2.     His Excellency, Asiwaju Segun Oni

3.     His Excellency, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.