By Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti
Former Minister of Works and contender for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has asked the Senator David Mark-led three-man committee to cancel the results of the exercise in three local governments alleging “extreme thuggery and tearing of nomination forms.â€
Adeyeye, who bared his mind while reviewing the exercise held across all the 177 wards of the state at the weekend, however, commended the committee for doing a good job expressing hope that the party’s primary slated for May 8 would be free and fair.
He called on Senator Mark-led committee to annul the results of the congress in Ikere; Ikole and Oye council areas.
Adeyeye said he had petitioned the three-man committee in writing urging the committee not to sweep his complaint under the carpet.
He said: “In many of the local governments, the rules were strictly adhered to. But I want the security agencies and the committee to investigate the crises in Ikere where Gbenga Ayeni, were beaten with charms and many people beaten up by thugs.
“The problem in Oye was that some thugs went to Ayede, tore the nomination forms and even brought the torn forms to my house, thugs were also used to disperse the people. People could not come out to vote because of fear.
“At Ikole, results of five wards were satisfied but we rejected results of seven wards.â€
While commending the efforts of the committee, Adeyeye described the exercise as the best in the history of the party and the state. “I don’t want any advantage but create an enabling atmosphere for me,â€Adeyeye pleaded.
Meanwhile, Senator Mark, has described the exercise as “successful and peaceful†adding that the committee had not received any report to the contrary.
Mark, who spoke with journalists at Government House in Ado Ekiti yesterday, promised that his committee would treat every complaint on merit and boasted that the party would win the coming governorship election.
On some governorship aspirants that had defected from the party, Mark said the party would invite those concerned with a view to addressing their grievances.
