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Ekiti PDP Senator escapes lynch as loyalists clash

Ekiti PDP Senator escapes lynch as loyalists clash

From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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The Senator representing Ekiti South Federal constituency at the National Assembly, Abiodun Olujimi, yesterday narrowly escaped been lynched by suspected political thugs who invaded the secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) located along Ajilosun in Ado-Ekiti.

The crisis which broke out around 4:30pm led to pandemonium as supporters of the two gladiators, former governor Ayodele Fayose and the Senator Abiodun Olujimi  were waiting for the members of the appeal panel sent to adjudicate on matters arising from the conduct of last saturday’s congress arrived the state.

During the fracas which lasted for 45-minutes, dangerous weapons like bottles, cutlasses and stones were deployed as members of appeal panel sent by Chief Uche Secondus led executive arrived, which prompted the police to immediately draft his men to the place.

Several members of the party including members of the appeal panel were said to have been wounded in the process.

The development made armed policemen to take over the secretriat of the party.

The outcome of the Congress had elicited controversies, with those loyal to the Senator accusing the leader of the team that conducted the ward congress and Taraba State Deputy Governor, Haruna Manu of plotting to rig in favour of Fayose.

Olujimi’s supporters claimed that they overran Fayose’s political machinery in the poll conducted on the field.

When our correspondent visited the Secretariat, over 30 policemen were at the entrance of the one storey building, while every door was under lock and key.

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Over eight police vans deployed from Okesa and Ologede police station were stationed at strategic locations while all members had been dispersed to avert loss of lives.

Responding to the attack, Olujimi blamed Fayose and his supporters for allegedly trying to define the PDP with the emblem of violence by mobilising thugs to where the appeal panel was expected to sit.

Her words: “Because we caught them in that dastardly act at Petim Hotel on Saturday, they thought they could right the wrongs with the appeal panel by being violent.

“Just because we caught them, they were on the offensive and they had to put up some violence. I don’t like violence and we will not allow violence to define us as a party. Whoever wants violence must either drop that and stay or chip out of the PDP, we won’t tolerate that.

“They beat some people, I mean some of my supporters, but I was not touched. If they were right, why were they violent? They were the ones engaging in a dastardly act and they are being chased around by their shameful act, like they were caught in the act.

“You could all attest to the fact that no collation was done regarding the ward congress  .We didn’t do any collation, so the Taraba deputy has no results to present,” she stated.

Fayose, who responded through his Media Aide, Lere Olayinka, said the attack was all politics, “it was from people from Olujimi side so that they could turn around to accuse.

“She has conceded that her group failed. We are here waiting for the local government congresses on March 21. We have concluded ward congresses”

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“We have right to go to the secretariat, the issue of thugs, they mobilized thugs to Petim Guest House on Saturday where they deflated tyres and destroyed vehicles,” he noted.

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