By Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti
The internal crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State escalated on Saturday as loyalists of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and supporters of gubernatorial hopeful, Engr Kayode Ojo, clashed during a political meeting in Otun Ekiti, Moba Local Government Area.
One of the meeting’s organisers, Mr Ogunkayo Moses, told journalists by telephone that the gathering was disrupted by individuals believed to be loyal to the Governor. The meeting, according to him, was convened to deliberate on political strategies in support of Engr Kayode Ojo’s ambition in the forthcoming APC governorship primary.
“We were in a peaceful meeting with representatives from all the wards in Moba when a large number of thugs stormed the venue and began hurling stones and dangerous objects at us,” he recounted.
He added that the meeting had to be hastily concluded as the attackers forced their way in, assaulting participants and causing injuries. Some attendees were reportedly detained while others fled for safety.
“I narrowly escaped through the help of a good Samaritan who sheltered me and refused to reveal my location when they came asking, claiming they had seen someone run into his office,” he said.
Moses alleged that Oyebanji’s camp has been repeatedly targeting members of Kayode Ojo’s team through acts of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and physical assaults, fuelled by apprehension over the gubernatorial contest scheduled for later this year.
Efforts to obtain an official comment from the Police were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, stated he would provide clarification but had yet to respond at the time of filing this report.
