Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
Following the violent attacks that have trailed the peaceful EndSARS hash tag protests in Ekiti State, as in other parts of the country, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in the State have been engaged in a bout of accusations.
The PDP factional group led by Hon. Bisi Kolawole, had accused the Governor of the state, Kayode Fayemi of unleashing armed thugs on the people of the State in a press release on Sunday titled ” PDP accuses Fayemi of unleashing armed thugs on Ekiti people, Says “People Being Attacked Will Defend Themselves If Govt Can’t”
The Party warned that Governor Kayode Fayemi will be held responsible should there be further breakdown of law and order in the State, alleging that “armed thugs sponsored by the governor are now going about attacking people and destroying properties.”
The party also alleged that a guest house owned by a musician and former House of Assembly member, Dayo Akinleye (Dayo Maxima), was invaded Saturday night by armed thugs led by one Marshal, where four persons were abducted and gun shots fired indiscriminately.
The party, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Raphael Adeyanju, on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, said “it will get to a point that the people will be forced to defend themselves if government that should protect them was the one unleashing thugs on them and the consequences will not be palatable for anyone.”
The party alleged it was more worrisome that the police were acting in support of the thugs adding that “up till now, the four people abducted by the thugs at and were dumped at the Police Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti after they had been taken to the Government House where they were assaulted, are now being detained like criminals while nothing has been done to apprehend the thugs who attacked them.”
The Party also alleged that the same thugs were the ones who shot dead one Prince Sunday Ogunleye, at Oke Ureje area of Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.
It further alleged that the thugs, who moved round Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, in a branded bus owned by a former APC governorship aspirant, Engr Kayode Ojo, fired the shot that killed Sunday Ogunleye, a native of Odo Ayedun Ekiti, in Ikole Local Government Area of the state.
“The armed thugs that invaded GNN Guest House at Jimoh Aliu Street, Adebayo in Ado-Ekiti, owned by Dayo Maxima, are known to belong to what they termed ‘Team Ekiti.’
“They are known boys of the notorious Rotimi Olanbiwonnu (Mentilo), who is an appointee of Governor Fayemi.
“The police must therefore bring these people to face the law, otherwise, those being attacked might be forced to begin to defend themselves.”
In a swift response, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, accused the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of engaging in subversive activities in the state in a press release on Sunday titled ” Ekiti APC accuse PDP of subversive activities
…says; ” state is calm and peaceful; only criminals and their sponsors have something to fear.”
The party also accused a faction of the opposition of masterminding the recent looting and brigandage that attended last week’s peaceful protest staged by the youths in the state.
A statement through the party’s State’s Public Relations Officer, Hon Ade Ajayi, on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, reads :
“The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to a statement credited to the (Fayose) factional Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State, and that of its failed gubernatorial candidate in the 2018 election, Olusola Eleka, alleging that Ekiti is not safe and that the looting of the silo containing seedlings preserved with chemicals and the State Emergency Management Agency’s warehouse, is a failure of the Fayemi’s government.
“Even the least discerning in the state would confirm that the looting was masterminded by PDP leaders in Ekiti state in their failed attempt to discredit the Fayemi government.
“We wish to make it clear that Ekiti is safe for the law abiding citizens, but very unsafe for criminals and their sponsors.”
The statement reiterated that Ekiti State Government has no COVID-19 palliatives left in the state, stressed all palliatives were distributed during the lockdown period.
 “We also wish to alert the general public that Ekiti State government has no COVID-19 palliatives stored anywhere in the state, as they have been distributed long ago during the pandemic.
“The real motive of the PDP in Ekiti State after failing woefully at the 2018 gubernatorial elections has been to sneak back to power through the back door.
It alleged that “The PDP hid under the recent #ENDSARS protest to sponsor  thugs to hijack the peaceful protest.
“One of the PDP hoodlums called Moyinoluwa Olowoyo was recently arrested after leading the assault on the governors convoy, blockade of major streets in the state capital, rape, arson, looting and other vices.”
The statement attributed the proactive security measures taken by government and security agencies in the state to what brought about
the peaceful atmosphere enjoyed in the state while the protests lasted, alleged some PDP leaders instigated the various loots carried out at the weekend in the state.
“We also recall that Ekiti was the only state in the southwest that enjoyed some level of peace when other states went up in flames.”
“This was due to the proactive security measures taken by the security agents in conjunction with the State government to ensure peace. The PDP is not happy that their plans to unleash mayhem on the State under the guise of #ENDSARS protest failed.
“PDP leaders like Lere Olayinka and Dayo Maxima started inciting the people on social media that they should look for government warehouses for COVID-19 palliatives and loot as it happened in other states.
“This was responsible for the looting of the Silo along Polytechnic road, SEMA warehouse at Adehun which was also burnt as well as the ADP warehouse and private stalls at old Textile complex before the intervention of security agents who put a stop to these nefarious activities and arrested some of the hoodlums.”
The statement further alleged some persons from the opposition attempted to unleash terror on government facilities in the state.
“Not done yet, Lere Olayinka and Dayo Maxima made GNN guest house at Adebayo in Ado-Ekiti their base where they were strategizing on how to unleash terror on the state, as later discovered on the phone of the arrested Moyinoluwa. Their intention was to raze down the new Civic Centre and the Governors office.
“They actually attempted to invade the Governors office but were resisted by the combined forces of security agencies.
“Security agents were able to nip their plan in the bud by bursting the GNN Guest House where Maxima was picked up, while Lere Olayinka escaped and he is still on the run. The two culprits are Fayose’s close aides and they have been communicating with Moyinoluwa before he was apprehended.”
The party, however, appealed to residents to be calm and assured them of their safety.
“We appeal to Ekiti people to remain calm and go about their lawful duties, as the government has made adequate provision to protect lives and properties in the state.
“The long arm of the law will definitely catch up with the arsonists and those already in the police net will be prosecuted,” the statement stressed.