The EkitiParapo Development Association has condemned the violence allegedly masterminded by leaders and supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State at the weekend, which left one person dead and several others injured.
According to the group, the symbolic sweeping away of the foot prints of the members of the PDP and supporters of its governorship candidate, AyoFayose, including those of President Goodluck Jonathan, who had converged on the state capital, Ado-Ekiti for the PDP grand rally led to the outbreak of the unfortunate and avoidable violence.
According to its spokesperson, Ojo Ilesanmi, the association therefore viewed the action of
the APC in the State as a mark of provocation and disrespect for the Office and person of President Goodluck Jonathan.
‘We note that in other climes, the office of the President of a country is accorded the utmost regard and respect, irrespective of political affiliation and differences.
“The EkitiParapo Development Association notes that the APC had held a similar mega rally in Ado Ekiti attended by all the leaders of the party to drum support for their party’s candidate without any molestation from the PDP and Fayose’s supporters.
“We further note that the PDP after the APC mega rally never used the party’s symbol to cause any mayhem or denigrate the integrity of any opposition party.
“We are of the strong view that Governor Kayode Fayemi’s claim of an alleged assassination attempt is an afterthought and should be disregarded.
“We note regrettably, that the governor had disregarded warnings by security agents who advised him against visiting the scene of the incident while the police were still battling to restore law and order as well as arrest the hoodlums who master-minded the violence.
“We further call on all the citizens of Ekiti State to remain law-abiding and shun all acts capable of derailing the governorship poll slated for June 21, 2014.
“We urge them all to be vigilant and not allow themselves to be used by any political party to ferment trouble,” Ilesanmi stated.
