Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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No fewer than 20 persons have sustained various degrees of injuries in Omuo Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti East Local government area of Ekiti State, when a bloody clash broke out between the supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during a campaign rally in the area, on Monday.
The Hope Metro gathered that some members of the APC were holding a joint rally for their senatorial candidate in Ekiti South District, Prince Dayo Adeyeye and the House of Representatives candidate in Ekiti South Federal Constituency, Femi Bamisile, when the suspected PDP thugs allegedly invaded the rally and launched attacks on them.
Those who allegedly carried out the attacks were said to be those loyal to the Senate minority leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi and senatorial candidate of the PDP in Ekiti South.
It was learnt that some APC supporters, Adeniyi Saliu , Kayode Ojo and Adeniyi Ayo , who reportedly sustained deep cuts in the heads, back and stomach , had been referred to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti for intensive medicare.
Another 15 others were said to have been wounded during the clash which lasted for several hours.
It was gathered that those who caused mayhem have fled the town and are now being trailed by the police for possible arrest and prosecution.
Former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and an APC House of Representative candidate, Femi Bamisile, described the attack as unfortunate, barbaric and uncalled for.
Bamisile said the desperation of some of the PDP members were becoming a threat to democracy, calling on the security agencies in the state to apprehend the perpetrators of the latest ugly development in the area without further delay.
“APC as a party will not fold arms and watch its members being attacked by members of other political parties, hence the need for a strong warning to troublemakers to retrace their steps and allow peace to reign in the land.
APC senatorial candidate and former Minister of Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, warned miscreants and political thugs planning violence and mayhem in the build up to Saturday general elections to be careful or risk being sent to prison.
Adeyeye, while reacting to the sudden wave of political violence and attacks on APC members in Omuo-Ekiti allegedly sponsored by Senator Olujimi and the PDP said the long arms of law would catch up with thugs that were led by one Sunday Awolusi, no matter how far they ran.
According to Adeyeye, “arresting and prosecuting the suspects will serve as a deterrent to others inclined to political violence. I enjoin the security agencies to be on the red alert to curtail political violence.
But the Special Assistant, Media to Senator Olujimi on Public Communications, Chief Sanya Atofarati, who exonerated Olujimi and her supporters from the attack, said the Senator had no cause to attack anybody.
“We have been going round campaigning in the senatorial district. no cases of violence. no reason for us to fight anybody. People of the senatorial district know this.
