Ekiti residents, commuters stranded as drivers union not working over PDP rally; Atiku faulted Oyebanji

Hundreds of commuters on Tuesday were stranded across the local government areas of Ekiti State; following the drivers union that stopped working ordered by the state government.

Sources gathered that the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has ordered the drivers union to stop working in order to frustrate the supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from attending the presidential rally in the state.

Newsflash Nigeria learnt that the drivers’ union attributed the non-movement of vehicles to prayers being offered by its members today in the state.

Many market women found it difficult to transport their goods to their various destinations and other residents could not commute easily due to the unavailability of commercial vehicles.

Some of the residents expressed worry that the reason commercial vehicles were not working, especially in the Ado Ekiti metropolis, Ikere Ekiti and other towns in the state is unknown.

One of the residents, Adefemi Ajayi, views that the development might be a result of the PDP presidential rally in the state.

Newsflash Nigeria gathered that most of the members of PDP from Ikere trekked to Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado Ekiti where their PDP presidential candidate will be welcomed after the denial of transportation by the drivers union in the state.

Meanwhile, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has faulted the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for frustrating his party supporters from attending a Mega rally in the state.

Atiku disclosed this while addressing party supporters, in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital on Tuesday.

The PDP Presidential candidate mocked Oyebanji for failing in its alleged attempt to frustrate party supporters from attending his campaign rally.

Atiku said “When I came here today what I saw almost brought tears to my eyes, when we came here some people said we are not going to see anybody in Ekiti, and we realized what they meant was to cripple public transportation in Ado- Ekiti and the whole of Ekiti state.

 “Again they did not stop there, they also caused an artificial scarcity of Petroleum products so that even if you have your motorcycle or your car, you will not be able to move.

“So that they can stop people from coming here, but you braved all their challenges. When I came into this arena, I almost shed tears of joy.

“What I can assure you is that if you vote PDP into power, the way you have made us happy today, we will also make you happy in Ekiti state.

“We will go out of our way to provide you with everything that you want us to provide, some people were talking about the road from here to Akure, we will do it and all the roads that connect Ekiti state with other states, we shall construct them.

“Today has been a wonderful day, happy day and I want to assure you that we will be with you throughout the campaign period and we will make sure that on the election day whatever you may need to make sure that you go to vote, protect your vote is made available to you.“

Atiku further said his pledge to set aside US$10 billion for women and youth empowerment when elected President in next month’s election.

He promised to tap into the rich intellectual endowment of the state population to run his administration if elected.

According to him, Ekiti state enjoys a pride of place as the Centre of intellectualism in Nigeria with a population of more educated persons than anywhere else in the country.

Atiku said, “Ekiti State is the centre of intellectual discussion, you have more educated people in this state than any other state in the country.

“I can assure you that a PDP federal government will make use of the human capital that God has endowed you with in Ekiti, it is your God-given gift and we shall utilize that human resources that God has given you.

“Besides we want to make sure that particularly our young men and women have businesses to do, have sources of income.

“That is why I pledge to set aside Ten Billion US dollars so that those young men and women who want to get involved in enterprises will be given loans and capital so that they can achieve their lifetime ambition.

Also speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the PDP, Iyiorchia Ayu, took a swipe at the ruling All Progressives Congress for lacking the basic tenets of democracy in the conduct of government business.

Ayu said, “We have a political party that does not believe in democracy, if you believe in democracy you allow other political parties to express also themselves.

“We understand the enemies without and the enemies within decided that there will be no vehicular movement in Ekiti State today, but you disappointed them because you are committed to the rescue and building of our country.

“Nobody can stop you from liberating yourselves from this type of leadership that we have from outside or without the PDP family. They may stop you from moving but they can’t stop you from voting. A few days from today you will have the opportunity to rescue Ekiti.”

Also the Vice Presidential Candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa said, “It is time to bring back a government that cares for the people. The high level of insecurity is not for Nigeria we are talking about, the disunity in the country today, is not the Nigeria of our dream.

“The way they have destroyed the education of this country, that was not what we hoped for and now our people are hungry, they can’t have employment. Everything is going bad, industries are packing, and everything is getting expensive, that is not the Nigeria of our dream.

“We want as a party to begin the process to recreate a new Nigeria, where everybody will be happy, where people will get employed, where our youths can have hope for their future and when they are leaving school, they know that there is something in stock for them to do. This is what Atiku Abubakar has promised us.“

In his remarks, the Director General of the PDP Campaign and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwual, said, “This movement is about the people, it is not about any individual, it is about this country, it is about our freedom.

“We know that the people of Ekiti state are intellectually endowed. Hardly do you find a family without a professor in Ekiti state. No individual can dictate for you.

“You know your rights and you are exercising those rights through your freedom movement and freedom of association.

We appeal to you that you must continue with this momentum and deliver Ekiti state for PDP.

“When Atiku Abubakar comes on board, he will by the grace of God, strength the Copy Rights Commission so that all of the innovations, all of the intellectual works by the people of Ekiti state and other Nigerians will be given due protection by the administration of Atiku Abubakar because we appreciate your intellectual prowess, we appreciate your intellectual capacity and that of every Nigerian.”

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