Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said he has uncovered a clandestine plan by Governor Ayodele Fayose and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to allegedly carry out coordinated attacks on supporters and associates of former Governor Segun Oni.
Oni had last week alleged that those suspected to be Fayemi’s loyalists were attacking his people, warning that he might leave the APC should such unwarranted harassment continue.
Fayemi campaign office, in a statement in Ado Ekiti by Special Adviser to the Minister, Yinka Oyebode, alleged that Fayose was planning to use some thugs who would pretend to be working for Fayemi, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in perpetrating the nefarious act.
Fayemi said: “It was reliably gathered that the plan, which had reached advanced stage, was designed by Governor Fayose as part of the efforts to cause disharmony among the two former governors of the state as well as their supporters.â€
He added further: “According to information, the assailants would carry out the dastardly act, wearing JKF branded materials and making insinuations that would establish a possible link to the Fayemi political camp.
“Security agencies in the state are hereby alerted to this clandestine move by the PDP goons aimed at introducing violent dimension to the politics of the state ahead of the July 14 governorship election.
“We urge all supporters and members of APC to remain vigilant, shun any form of violence during this electioneering period and report any act of intimidation to the law enforcement agenciesâ€.
“We reiterate the position of the APC leadership that all members of the party should unite and work together for the success of the APC in the coming elections. Together we stand and together we shall win!
However, Fayose branded the allegation as false, spurious and baseless and should be ignored by members of the society, saying : “What is the business of Fayose with the APC family? Fayose has not been harbouring thugs.â€
Responding through his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, Fayose said: “The issue on ground is purely about frosty relationship between Fayemi and Oni which has nothing to do with Fayose. Let them go and settle it and leave Fayose out of it.
“Segun Oni had identified Fayemi’s boys of molesting his supporters and even threatened to quit the party should it continue.
“Why would Fayemi now want to leave the substance and chase the shadow, instead of him calling his boys to order and not to turn Ekiti into theatre of war? We implore the security to do their workâ€, he said.
