The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ikere-Ekiti

  • Violence mars election in Ikere-Ekiti

    There was pandemonium in Ikere-Ekiti during yesterday’s presidential and national assembly elections as an All Progressives Congress (APC) member was allegedly shot by security aides attached to the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola.

    The incident occurred at Ereja Polling Unit in Odo-Oja quarter of the town when Olusola, who was said to be moving around in a convoy, was stopped by APC members who accused him of violating the electoral law. The APC member that was shot was identified as Jide Owolabi and he was immediately rushed to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention.

    The angry APC members accused the deputy Governor of trying to use the paraphernalia of office to intimidate voters. There was a shouting match between the two sides which degenerated to a big row. Armed policemen attached to the deputy governor allegedly opened fire in a bid to quell the confusion and Owolabi was hit by one of the bullets fired.

    Speaking with reporters on the incident, Olusola denied moving about as alleged. He explained that he was at the scene of the fracas to help solve a problem that developed in the voting process.

    But the Senator representing Ekiti South, Anthony Adeniyi, also an indigene of Ikere, said the people around were angered by the effrontery of the deputy governor in going from one  polling unit to the other while election was still in progress.

    Report also said a member of the House of Representatives, Oyetunde Ojo, narrowly escaped being killed by hooded gunmen who attacked him at Erijiyan-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area.

  • Ikere-Ekiti PDP adopts Omoyeni as governorship candidate

    THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ikere-Ekiti Local Government Area has adopted former Deputy Governor Bisi Omoyeni as its candidate for the governorship election.

    Omoyeni is a former Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wema Bank.

    At the end of a meeting of the expanded local government party executive in Ikere-Ekiti yesterday, the PDP Chairman in the council, Toba Ogunmusan, said Omoyeni’s experience, record of untainted service, performance and intimidating credentials cannot be overlooked, if the PDP wants to win the governorship election.

    Ogunmusan said: “Apart from the fact that Ekiti South has not produced a governor since the inception of this state in 1996, Omoyeni is a non-controversial politician. He has good rapport with the party hierarchy and other aspirants, who are willing to work with him as the party’s candidate.

    “Omoyeni’s father is from Ikere-Ekiti and his mother is from Ado-Ekiti, which implies that he would enjoy the so-called home boy advantage in two major municipal local governments with the highest voting strength in the state in the election.

    “Votes cast in Ado-Ekiti and Ikere have historically determined the victory of governorship candidates. More importantly, he has total support and control of his home; hence the possibility of this unanimous adoption. Omoyeni is equally popular in other local government areas.”

    The statement on Omoyeni’s adoption was signed by all members of the expanded PDP executive in Ikere Local Government Area, which includes 11 ward chairmen and 17 council executive members.

  • Fayemi appoints ex-police boss, retired colonel advisers on security

    Fayemi appoints ex-police boss, retired colonel advisers on security

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has approved the appointment of a former Commissioner of Police, Mr Oladipo Ayeni, as Special Adviser on Security.

    Also, the Governor has appointed a retired military officer, Col Babatunde Oluwayose, as Commander of the Youth Volunteers Corps Scheme.

    According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, the appointments takes immediate effect, adding that the two retired officers are expected to bring their wealth of experiences to bear on the government’s security and peace initiatives.

    Ayeni, who hails from Ikere-Ekiti, would be responsible for advising the Governor on security and related matters, maintaining government’s relationships with security agencies in the state. He will also coordinate the Security Trust Fund being set up by the state government, among other functions.

    He has served at various times as Commissioner of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau, Force headquarters, Abuja (2007-2008); Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command (2008); Commissioner of Police, Fraud and Criminal Investigations Department, Force headquarters, Abuja (2008-2010); Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command (2010-2011) and Commissioner of Police, Plateau State between 2011 and December 2012 when he retired from service.

    The retired Police Chief, holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Political Science from the University of Ibadan (1979) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in 1992. He has undertaken several training in policing both locally and internationally.

    On his part, Col Oluwayose (rtd) who hails from Afao Ekiti, would serve as the Commander of the Youth Volunteer Corps Scheme of the state government, which is currently being reorganised. A graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Col Oluwayose also holds a Master degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan.

    Aside his military training as a regular Combatant Officer at the famous Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Col Oluwayose had attended several military trainings both locally and internationally. These include: Senior Staff Course, Command Staff College, Jaji (2001); Royal Armoured Corp Centre and School, UK (1990); and a course on DNA Banking Analysis.

    His military postings include, Commander, 245 Battalion Ikom, Cross Rivers (2007-2008), Assistant Director Project and research Dept of the Defence Headquarters, Abuja among others.