OPC leader, others arrested over attack on Fayose’s office

Ekiti State Police Command has arrested the leader of Oodua People’s Congress in the state, Mr Niyi Adedipe, and two other prominent members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) over alleged attack on the campaign office of former governor of the state, Ayo Fayose.

Fayose’s campaign organisation had last week alleged that supporters of Governor Kayode Fayemi attacked the office around 6pm while returning from a campaign at Ekiti-east Local Government Area of the state.

But the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Yinka Oyebode, issued a statement accusing Fayose’s supporters of attacking the governor’s convoy.

Also arrested by the police are: Mr Richard Apolola and Owoju Ayodele, while one Seun, popularly known as Solar, was declared wanted by the command.

Parading the suspects yesterday, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Felix Uyanna, said men of the Department of State Security Service (SSS) had earlier arrested one Mr. Deji Adesokan, over a similar offence.

The commissioner said the command also invited the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe, over attack on a journalist with the state-owned broadcasting corporation.

Uyanna said about 13 cases of violent attacks have been recorded since the Independent National Electoral Commission lifted ban on campaigns in the state on March 23.

He said eight of the cases have been charged to court while others are in different stages of investigation.

He reinstated the commitment of the command to checkmate all forms of political violence and brigandage regardless of status and political affiliation.

“Political stakeholders and politically exposed persons are hereby reminded of the need to play by the rules as contained in the Electoral Act, 2010. Members of the public are urged to go about their lawful businesses and we assure them of our determination to provide adequate security for all and sundry”, he said.