A mobile phone allegedly stolen from a member of the team of human rights activist and Presidential candidate of Africa Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, during an attack in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has reportedly been traced to the Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge.
The phone was reportedly stolen during an attack on Sowore and members of his team on Friday in Ado-Ekiti.
In a post on Facebook, Sowore alleged that the location of one of the stolen phones had been traced to the Governor’s Lodge in the state.
He called on the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately release the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from Tawakalitu Restaurant, where the attack reportedly occurred.
Sowore also urged the security agencies to make the footage available to the public, insisting that evidence surrounding the incident should not be concealed.
Meanwhile, a former Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Babafemi Ojudu has condemned the attack, describing it as unacceptable and incompatible with democratic values.
In a lengthy statement, the former journalist said political disagreements should not be used as justification for assaulting anyone, regardless of their political views or methods.
The statement stressed that citizens must be allowed to express their opinions and criticise those in government without fear of intimidation or violence.
Recalling previous experiences of political violence in Ekiti State, Ojudu cited incidents during the administration of former Governor Ayo Fayose, including attacks on opposition gatherings and the alleged assault on former Governor Segun Oni.
The statement also recalled an incident in 2006 at Omugbagba in Ado-Ekiti, where a political gathering was reportedly disrupted, leaders assaulted, more than 20 vehicles destroyed, and several party members arrested.
It further referenced an incident in which prominent political figures, including President Bola Tinubu, Niyi Adebayo, Olusegun Osoba and Bisi Akande, were allegedly held in Iyin-Ekiti for nearly 12 hours while attending a funeral.
Ojudu, however, commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his reported rejection of political violence, adding that the governor had dissociated himself and his administration from the attack.
According to the statement, Ojudu also spoke with Oyebanji about the incident and said the governor expressed sincerity in his position against the violence.
The statement called for a transparent investigation, stressing that anyone found to have organised, sponsored or participated in the attack should be brought to justice, regardless of political affiliation.
It also welcomed reports of arrests made in connection with the incident but insisted that the security agencies must go beyond arrests to ensure proper investigation and prosecution where necessary.
He urged the police and other security agencies to ensure that opposition politicians and other citizens could freely organise meetings, campaign and express their views without intimidation.
The statement added that Ekiti State must remain a place where political differences could be resolved through dialogue and lawful means rather than violence.
The post Attack: Phone Robbed From Sowore’s Team Allegedly Traced To Ekiti Governor’s Lodge appeared first on OsunDefender.
