Ekiti poll: PDP, APC supporters disrupt INEC stakeholders meeting
- Some supporters of the ruling and opposition parties had a brawl at a stakeholders meeting in Ekiti state on Monday, July 9
- Effort by the IGP, traditional rulers and many dignitaries to control the crowd proved abortive
- Before the uproar, the IG of Police had told party supporters to refrain from all acts that can precipitate violence at the polling booths
A stakeholders meeting of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti state was on Monday, July 9, disrupted by some supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The parties supporters forced the meeting scheduled by the inspector general of police, Idris Ibrahim and the INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, to come to an end.
Punch reports that troubles started when a member of PDP, Samuel Omotosho rose to speak at the event.
Omotosho had risen to make observations that the Ekiti governorship candidate of the APC, Kayode Fayemi, had boasted that he would be declared winner irrespective of the outcome of the July 14 election.
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Omotosho who is also the chairman, committee on information of the Ekiti State House of Assembly was however booed by APC supporters.
Also, while trying to raise a case of consistent harassment of members of his family, the APC supporters immediately shut Omotosho up.
Just about when he finished speaking and was about to sit down, the PDP supporters began shouting Eleka - Ibo, Eleka-Ibo, the family name of the deputy governor and the PDP governorship candidate, Kolapo Olusola.
Effort by the IGP, the chairman of the Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers and Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, and the INEC chairman to control the crowd proved abortive.
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The trio after repeated failure to control the irate party supporters, left the venue of the event alongside other dignitaries.
Also, Fayemi managed to escape the crowd as he was shielded by his supporters and some security men.
However, having addressed the crowd before the uproar, the inspector general of police said about 4, 390 soldiers and paramilitary officers would be deployed to complement the 30,000 police officers deployed for the election.
“We want all the party supporters to refrain from all acts that can precipitate violence at the polling booths such as canvassing for votes, wearing of party insignias, dissuading voters from voting for candidates of their choice, loitering and blaring of the siren on the day of the election.
“We will also not tolerate ignoring of restriction of movement orders by the police. Don’t see the election as a matter of life and death. Let me state that police will not hesitate to deal with anybody no matter how highly placed found flouting electoral laws.
“Let me call for the collaboration and support of the entire sister agencies and the INEC officials. Police officers have been warned to be of good conduct during and after the election. If you notice any misconduct on the part of any policeman, do not hesitate to report to the senior officers on the ground or contact me directly," Idris said.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, had warned INEC and its officials against rigging the forthcoming election. Fayose said that the people of the state would resist any attempt to rig the election.
He also alleged that he knew of plans by certain people to rig the coming election which he said would show the difference between ‘boys and men’.
Governor Fayose warns Nigerian youths ahead of 2019, tells them what to do - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
