Ekiti Decides: APC Chieftain Killed, Others Severely Injured During Attack On Campaign Train
The campaign train of the Governorship candidate of the All progressives congress, APC in Ekiti state , Biodun Oyebanji was reportedly attacked on saturday in Itaji Ekiti resulting in the killing of a Chieftain of the party, Mr Tope Ajayi while many others were seriously injured.
The Ekiti governorship election is billed for this Saturday, 19th of June 2022.
According to reports, the APC members who sustained injuries are currently being hospitalized as medical personnel are battling to save their lives following the life-threatening injuries they received in the attack allegedly carried out by Social Democratic Party (SDP) thugs led by a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bimbo Daramola.
One of the victims, Joshua John, who is said to be in a critical condition at the State University Teaching Hospital alleged that he was tortured and shot in the leg in the presence of SDP candidate, Chief Segun Oni and Hon. Daramola.
The APC campaign procession in Ekiti North senatorial district was reportedly going on peacefully until it was disrupted by some Political thugs suspected to belong to the SDP.
They were said to have arrived in a Toyota Hilux and Tacoma vehicle, and were seen taking instructions from Daramola who was present at the scene of the crime.
The thugs allegedly shot at many vehicles in the procession including the one belonging to the Special Adviser to Governor Fayemion Roads, Hon. Sunday Adunmo also known as Galaxy.
Meanwhile, The Director of Media and Publicity of the Biodun Oyebanji Campaign Organisation, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, has reacted to the incident by saying “It is very disturbing that Daramola was seen by eyewitnesses personally leading thugs parading as security officials, and instructing them to shoot directly at APC members in Itaji-Ekiti. He and others culpable of the breach of peace are to be held accountable.” Daramola, who has a predilection for violence and inciting statements, was until recently a member of the APC before decamping to the SDP.
Olatunbosun in a statement explained that the activities of the Biodun Oyebanji Campaign Organisation had been rancour-free and devoid of any violence since it began. “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.”
Olatunbosun commiserated with the family of the deceased, and called on the security agencies in the state to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure the perpetrators are brought to book.
The Oyebanji Campaign said it 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 accusing Oni of desperation to cause violence on election day to scare voters in areas where he is not popular.
However, Bimbo Daramola who had just defected to SDP told journalists that the allegation by the APC was an attempt to frame him up and prevent him from participating in the June 18 governorship election due to his strength of Mobilization.
Daramola said: “let me begin by saying that I am getting increasingly disappointed with the way things are turning out politically in Ekiti State.
“I couldn’t have imagined in my life that Olatubosun could degenerate into such level of peddling fake news against my person.
It is obvious that APC is trying to get me off track just like the party had threatened over time in the run up to this election that they will intimidate and take people out of circulation and that is exactly what is happening now.
