Police Seal Off Ekiti PDP Secretariat …As Olujimi, Fayose’s Loyalists Clash

Armed policemen, yesterday, took over the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State, as loyalists of the former Governor Ayodele Fayose and Senator Olujimi exchanged blows over conduct of ward Congress.
The crisis broke out around 4 pm at the state secretariat located at Ajilosun area of Ado Ekiti, capital city, when the supporters of the two gladiators were waiting for the members of appeal panel sent to adjudicate on matters arising from the conduct of last Saturday’s Congress arrived the state.
It was gathered that dangerous weapons like bottles, cutlasses and stones were deployed as members of the appeal panel sent by Chief Uche Secondus led executive arrived, which prompted the police to immediately draft their men to the place.
Several persons were said to have been wounded in the process.
The outcome of the Congress had elicited controversies, with those loyal to the Senator representing Ekiti South, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi accusing the leader of the team that conducted the ward congress and Taraba State Deputy Governor, Haruna Manu of plotting to rig in favour of Fayose.
Olujimi’s supporters claimed that they overran Fayose’s political machinery in the poll conducted on the field.
When journalists visited the Secretariat, over 30 policemen were at the entrance of the one storey building, while every door was under lock and key.
Over eight police vans deployed from Okesa and Ologede Police Stations were stationed at strategic locations while all members have been dispersed to avert loss of lives.
Responding to the attack, Olujimi blamed Fayose and his supporters for allegedly trying to define the PDP with the emblem of violence by mobilising thugs to where the appeal panel was expected to sit.
“Because we caught them in that dastardly act at Petim Hotel on Saturday, they thought they could right the wrongs with the appeal panel by being violent.
“Just because we caught them, they were on the offensive and they had to put up some violence. I don’t like violence and we will not allow violence to define us as a party. Whoever wants violence must either drop that and stay or chip out of the PDP, we won’t tolerate that.
“They beat some people, I mean some of my supporters, but I was not touched.