Protesters yesterday took to the streets in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital over the continued detention of some All Progressives Congress (APC) members in prison custody for alleged murder.
The demonstrators, who are members of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), defied an early morning downpour to stage the protest at the state APC secretariat in Ajilosun area of the city.
They demanded the release of seven persons accused of complicity in the murder of the former National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Chairman Omolafe Aderiye on September 25, 2014.
Those facing trial and detained in prison custody are two former RTEAN chairmen, Adebayo Aderiye (a.k.a. Ojugo) and Rotimi Olanbiwonnu (a.k.a. Mentilo), OPC leader, Adeniyi Adedipe (a.k.a Apase), Sola Durodola, Ajayi Kayode, Oso Farotimi and Sola Adenijo (a.k.a. Solar).
The protesters alleged that the detainees were arrested on trumped-up charges and slammed into prison because of their membership of the APC, calling on senior party leaders to intervene and save them from death in custody.
They appealed to former governors, who are members of the party, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Segun Oni and Dr. Kayode Fayemi and other leaders like presidential aide, Babafemi Ojudu, party chairman, Olajide Awe, to intervene and save their members.
The protesters called on Governor Ayo Fayose to act like a statesman, rise above partisan interests and facilitate the release of the detainees, whom have been unjustly punished for what they knew nothing about.
Some of their songs include: “E tu won sile o, awon to wa l’atimole, e tu won sile (release them, release those who are in custody, set them free) and “solidarity forever, solidarity forever.”
Protest leader Tunde Makanjujaye described the APC members as “political prisoners”.
He said the prosecution has failed to establish a case of murder against them, resorting to what he called “frivolous applications” at the Appeal Court to stall the case.
Makanjujaye lamented that their incarceration has affected their health and ruined their businesses.
He regretted that the vehicles of the detained transport union members have been grounded and OPC leader’s auto business has collapsed.
The wife of one of the detainees, Mrs. Blessing Durodola, said it has been very tough for the family since her husband was held, calling on the state government to have mercy on the children.
Personal Assistant to the OPC leader, Kamaru Lateef, said the protest was to draw the attention of APC leaders at national and state levels to the plight of the detainees who, according to him, are suffering because of their party’s affiliation.