Fayemi, Fayose trade words over attack

The governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State, Mr. Ayo Fayose, has denied claim that his supporters attacked the convoy of Governor Kayode Fayemi on Monday in Ado Ekiti.

The governor had claimed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode that the convoy of Governor Fayemi was attacked in Ado-Ekiti, around 6pm by suspected thugs working for Fayose.

According to the statement, Fayose’s thugs threw stones and bottles at the governor’s vehicle and other vehicles belonging to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the governor’s entourage while returning to Ado-Ekiti after a campaign rally in Ekiti-east Local Government Area of the state.

Oyebode said but for the governor who restrained his security aides and party supporters from retaliating, there would have been some casualties in the attack.

But Fayose denied the allegation, saying suspected thugs of the APC attacked his supporters and campaign office at Adebayo area of Ado Ekiti.

In a statement by the Publicity Secretary of PDP, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, Fayose described the governor’s claim as “barbaric, callous and primitive and a wanton display of power by the governor”.

The PDP publicity secretary alleged that when the governor’s convoy was driving past Fayose’s campaign office, some suspected thugs fired gunshots at it without provocation.

“After a few minutes, about 10 suspected thugs of the governor returned to Fayose’s campaign office and shattered the building window and vehicles windscreen parked within the premises with bullets,” he said.

Journalists were also conducted round the campaign office and two vehicles; a Honda Accord marked Lagos EE 908 APP and a branded Micra Nissan with Fayose’s portrait bearing Ekiti Fayose 2014, were seen with shattered windscreens.

The statement added: “The Fayemi thugs who came into the premises were actually sent by Fayemi to kill Fayose because they were demanding that Fayose should come out of the office and dare them. This action of Fayemi is very absurd and he should never think that he has monopoly of violence.”

Calling on security to call the governor and his supporters to order, the PDP said it had appealed to its supporters to remain calm.

Spokesman of the state police command, Mr. Victor Babayemi, confirmed the incident but said no arrest had been made.

“The matter has been reported to us and we have commenced investigation. What we have is accusation and counter accusation, but we are trying to establish the truth. Those who masterminded the crisis will be brought to book,” he said.