By: Oluwatosin Adesola
……alleges assassination attempt on his life
The governorship candidate of the people’s Democratic party (PDP), in Ondo state, Mr Eyitayo Jegede has described the attack on his campaign train at Oba Akoko by suspected APC thugs as a clear attempt of assassination on his life and his supporters ahead of October 10 election.
Addressing newsmen in Akure, Mr Jegede noted that firing bullets sporadically at his vehicles by the suspected political thugs confirmed insinuation that some elements want to murder him before the election day.
The PDP candidate who explained that he had reported various attacks on him and his supporters to the DSS and the state Commissioner of police, expressing displeasure that nobody had been arrested as a result of attacks on his team.
Mr Jegede said he had spoken with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on telephone to complain about the attack by the APC members, pointing out that the governor had promised to call his supporters to order.
Jegede said he had spoken with the governor who expressed shock and claimed ignorance of the attack and promised to call his party members and supporters to order.
The PDP governorship candidate advised desperate political class and their supporters to eschew violence as no election worth claiming the life of anybody.
Jegede said, “It is with great concern for the peace of our dear state and concern for the safety of our candidate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede SAN and his team that we write to inform the general public of the unfortunate incident that occurred today on our campaign train to Akoko South West LGA.
“A dangerous dimension was introduced into our electioneering process by the APC under the direct watch of Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu during our stop at the palace of Oloba of Oba Akoko, in Akoko South West LGA.
“For the records, our campaign schedule which was submitted to the Police Command in Akure authorises us to be in that local government as against the unlawful presence of HE. Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN at the same venue.
“Having taken a very guided stance against violence thus far, by doing all within our means to reign-in our supporters at every provocation particularly from the APC (recall the very provocative and inciting utterances made by Mr. D.I. Kekemeke in the video that went viral, hinting of the APC’s plan to unleash terror on Ondo State), we advise the incumbent government to also do the needful for the peace of our state.
“Recall again that our Party, the PDP originally fixed her campaign flag-off for Saturday 5th September, 2020 before the APC went ahead to pick the same date for her flag-off. In the interest of peace and the safety of our State we shifted our flag-off to a new date, at least to avoid bloodletting.
“Even after conceding the earlier date to the APC, on the eve of our campaign flag-off, we have it on very good authority that the APC and the Governor’s thugs destroyed our campaign billboards and posters around the State capital.
“This is more pronounced largely around the Akure metropolis, which is considered the strong hold of our candidate. It is not lost on us that the Governor’s personal night patrol on the eve rather than work to prevent the visible destruction of PDP’s campaign posters only encouraged it.
“Today, the 16th day of September, 2020, having followed all laid down processes required to proceed on peaceful campaigns by the security agencies, and having been duely cleared to proceed on campaigns across Akoko South West Local Government, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu led his convoy our way against the well established norms for peaceful elections.
“This is our position, that going forward our people should from this moment avoid the rampaging and blood thirsty thugs of Gov. Akeredolu while ensuring that they remain resolute in our commitment to ending this vicious tyranny in our midst.
“By firing the first shot against our people and against the ideals of our peaceful demonstration of our civic right to choose who leads us, Governor Akeredolu has today declared war on our State. I urge our people to protect themselves and their heritage against the bully tactics of this dying government,” Jegede said.
