- Says party flag bearer survived assassination attempt
- Names six others injured by gunshots
Wole Balogun, Ado Ekiti
The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has alleged that the violence that trailed the welcome rally for its flag bearer for July 14 poll on Friday was an assassination attempt on Fayemi.
In a statement released to newsmen Friday evening, hours after the incident, party spokesman Taiwo Olatunbosun, said:
“Bloody politicking returned to Ekiti State yesterday, as former Governor Kayode Fayemi survived assassination in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital.
“Fayemi resigned his appointment on Wednesday as the Minister of Mines and Steel Development and was returning to Ekiti State on Friday in a welcome party planned by his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“It was a smooth ride from Akure Airport to Ikere-Ekiti, where thousands of supporters came out to give him a rousing welcome.”
Speaking further, Olatunbosun said:
“Ikere-Ekiti journey to Ado-Ekiti, a distance of about nine kilometres, lasted two hours in a heavy traffic that was punctuated by four gunmen who strategically positioned themselves at the party’s secretariat in Ado-Ekiti for the attack.
“One of the assailants dressed in mobile police uniform was apprehended and he is now helping the police in their investigation.
“They fired gunshots aimed at Fayemi but hit a former lawmaker, Opeyemi Bamidele, after the former minister had taken a few steps forward before the bullets hit the target.
“Bamidele and other victims were immediately rushed to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, where doctors are responding to his treatment.
Bamidele was seriously wounded in the attack, while others also sustained various degrees of injuries.
Other victims in the hospital included Olabode Joshua, Olanrewaju Gbenga, Adebayo Ogunjemilehin, Ogunmodede Oluwole and Alex Adeleye,” he said.