The Kolapo Olusola Campaign Organisation (KOCO) the campaign organization of the Ekiti state deputy governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Prof Kolapo Olusola has told the governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, to face governance in his state instead of “wasting public funds” on the Ekiti State governorship election, which it said the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi can never win.
The campaign organization, which described Governor Akeredolu’s coming to Ekiti to market Fayemi as “a failure advertising another failure,” reiterated that “Ekiti is not a state to be taken by force and annexed to Ondo State by anyone. We have never served a foreign god and we are not going to start now.”
KOCO insisted, in a statement issued on Monday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Lere Olayinka, that the Ondo State governor must be held responsible for the alleged invasion of Ekiti State with thugs and over 150 armed policemen on Friday, leading to the shooting at the APC secretariat and Ojumose area of Ado-Ekiti that left many people injured.
Olayinka asked; “Is Governor Akeredolu now happy with himself that after he led thugs and armed policemen to Ekiti in support of Fayemi, nine people are in the hospital, three in critical condition, including Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele and Ekiti State is now in the news for
negative reasons?”
The statement read; “We wish to draw the attention of Nigerians to the involvement of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu in the plot by the APC to unleash terror on Ekiti and its people as part of the grand plot to forcefully take over the State, having realized that the party’s cannot regain power through the ballots.
“Last week Friday, Governor Akeredolu mobilized over 150 armed policemen and several thugs from Akure, Ondo State to accompany the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi to Ado Ekiti, thereby throwing Ekiti State that has been peaceful since the advent of Governor Ayodele Fayose’s government into chaos.
“The thugs were led by one Jacob Adebo (popularly known Idajo), who is the Chairman of the National Union of Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ondo State. This same Idaho was allegedly involved in the various attacks on Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele in 2014, especially on September 19, 2014, when his political movement, Bibiire Coalition was launched in Ado Ekiti.
“These thugs brought to Ekiti courtesy of Governor Akeredolu were the ones that went on a rampage at Ojumose area of Ado Ekiti on Friday, destroying canopies and chairs in front of the residence of late Prince Adegoke. One of the Teargas canisters fired by the policemen that accompanied the thugs hit a Taxi driver, Odeyemi Olumide badly injuring him. He is now receiving treatment at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, alongside others who were shot at the APC secretariat.
“Backed by Governor Akeredolu, Idajo had early last month attempted to cause disharmony among drivers in Ekiti State by attempting a takeover of the unions by a dissident group.
“It should be noted that the Ondo State Governor had reportedly boasted that he was ready to spend two months allocation of his State to ensure that Fayemi is imposed on the people of Ekiti, and we wish to ask what his interest is.
“However, let it be said expressly that if he likes, he can deploy one-year income of Ondo State to finance Fayemi’s election, it will lead to failure because Ekiti people cannot be bought by anyone.”
While telling the Ondo governor to devote his attention and resources to restoring good governance in his state, Olayinka said; “Instead of devoting his time and resources to the Ekiti election, which Dr. Fayemi; his stooge can never win, shouldn’t Governor Akeredolu be concerned with at least, returning Ondo State to how he met it in 2017? Or does it gladden his heart that all the good things his government met in the State have been destroyed to the extent that pregnant women had to go on the streets to protest against the astronomical increase in the cost of delivery?
“More than 15 months as governor, Akeredolu cannot boast of a single achievement in Ondo State apart from commissioning billboards. Yet, his priority is sponsoring thugs to Ekiti with millions of naira.
“Workers are still being owed months of unpaid salaries, despite huge resources accruing to Ondo State from the federation account. For instance, workers at the State-owned polytechnic, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic are being owed 10 months salary.
“Also, in Ondo State under Governor Akeredolu, the farm of elder statesman, Chief Olu Falae and several other indigenes of Ondo State were attacked by herdsmen, while he looked the other way.
“Therefore, Governor Akeredolu coming to Ekiti to market Fayemi is like a failure advertising another failure, it won’t work!
“Let it be reiterated that Ekiti is not a state to be taken by force and annexed to Ondo State by anyone. We have never served a foreign god and we are not going to start now.
“The governor should be reminded that this is Ekiti of 2018, which is under a competent leader, Ayo Fayose, not that of 2010 when he used his position to influence the Appeal court judgment in favour of Fayemi.
“Therefore, it is our counsel that Governor Akeredolu should leave Ekiti people alone to choose their leader. He should face governance in Ondo State that has retrogressed since he assumed office.”
