Tear gas attack: It was an assassination attempt on my life — Gov Fayemi

BY Gbenga Ariyibi
Governor Kayode Fayemi was on his way to Abuja yesterday to lodge a formal complaint with President Goodluck Jonathan over last Sunday’s clash which he has described as an assassination attempt on his life.

Gov.Fayemi addressing the press

Governor Fayemi, the APC candidate was tear-gassed as he made an attempt to intervene after members of his party clashed with PDP supporters in the heart of Ado-Ekiti.
Besides President Jonathan, Fayemi equally vowed to formally lodge a complaint to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar over his ordeal.
A middle aged man identified as Taiwo Akinola was killed on Sunday during a clash between supporters of the APC and the PDP during a sweeping exercise embarked by APC supporters to remove the footprints of President Jonathan and his delegation to last Saturday’s rally of the PDP.
Addressing a press conference in Ado-Ekiti before departing for Abuja, Fayemi expressed dismay over what he described as the over zealous attitude of the security operatives even as he said that the killing of Mr. Akinola was avoidable.
He alleged that the unguarded behaviour of the Mobile Police Commander of MOPOL in the state, was an assault on the government of Ekiti State.
He said “My immediate interpretation to what happened yesterday (Sunday) is that there was an assault on the government and the people of Ekiti State. And if one were to be extreme in one’s interpretation, we could go on and say, it is assassination attempt against the governor of Ekiti State and that is why I am going to Abuja this morning to see Mr. President and the Inspector General of police.”
“I won’t like to jump into conclusion because I have spoken to the relevant people in authority and I believe appropriate steps will be taken.”
On the behaviour of the MOPOL Commander, he said “in the case of the O.C Mopol, who was there yesterday, directing his men to tear-gas my convoy, I believe the police authority will take action on that because I don’t want to dwell on individuals.”
He said “if their plan was to ensure that our people are intimidated and make sure they stay at home on the day of election, then it has failed because our campaign will go on.”
NASS members kick
The Ekiti State delegation to the National Assembly has also flayed the attack on the governor and his entourage by the police.
Registering their anger over the clash at a press conference yesterday, the legislators said the Police acted unprofessionally in their conduct before during and after the clash.
Senator Ojudu, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, described the attack on the governor as an insult on the people of the State.
He maintained that Supol Serenkele’s actions was unprofessional and openly partisan.
Ojudu said “It is so sad that we are dealing with people who are not ready for democracy, those who are not ready for free, fair and credible election. But we want to sound a warning that the APC is ready to accept the verdict of a free and fair poll, but for anyone to impose his will on us, we will not accept that.”
Also, he said “we are aware of their plans, but an attempt to intimidate us will be resisted not only in the Southwest but across Nigeria.
We are sending a petition to Mr President, Senate President, Senator David Mark , Speaker, House of Reps, Hon Aminu Tambuwal and the Inspector General of Police on the plan to humiliate our Governor and the people of the State”.
Vowing not be perturbed, he said “we shall not be intimated by this. It is the mandate of the people. National Assembly members who attended the press conference include: Senator Babafemi Ojudu(Ekiti Central), Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi (North), Senator Tony Adeniyi(South), Reps Oyetunde Ojo(Ekiti Central 2), Ife Arowosoge(Ekiti South 1), Bamidele Faparusi(Ekiti South 2), Bimbo Daramola(Ekiti North 1).”