Tensions Rise Ahead of APC Primaries in Ekiti State
With the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries scheduled for Saturday, tensions are mounting in Ekiti State following the arrest of 11 individuals suspected of planning to disrupt the event. The Ekiti State Police Command has linked these suspects to John Johnson, a sitting member of Congress, although Davidson Akinlayo has denied any connections to the alleged plot.
Police Operation Uncovers Firearms
Authorities have characterized the situation as a concerted attempt to destabilize the primaries within the Moba/Irehemeje/Ido-Osi federal constituency. Police operatives executed a raid at Onikoyi Hotel in Ikun Ekiti, where they recovered a cache of weapons, including pump-action guns. This operation was prompted by reliable intelligence regarding armed hoodlums gathering in preparation for the upcoming election.
Details of the Arrests
Commissioner of Police Farade Adegoloye Michael, addressing the press in Ado Ekiti, revealed that the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) executed the hotel raid around 9 PM on May 14, initially apprehending seven suspects while others escaped in three vehicles. The arrested individuals have been identified as Adekunle Stephen, Adepoju Adebayo, Boluwaji Ishola, Oluwatobi Adelwa, Akintonde Emmanuel, Adewale Makanjuola, and Ibitola Babatope.
Weapons and Evidence Collected
During the police operation, significant items were confiscated. Among the recovered materials were two pump-action guns, a Beretta pistol, nine live 9mm rounds, four additional live rounds, a substance suspected to be a crime charm, two Apple laptops, and a Honda Accord linked to one of the suspects. Later follow-up actions led to the arrest of four fleeing suspects, Abanikananda Sikiru, Dayo Ibijowo, Ajayi Dele, and Adegbite Damola, during which another pump-action firearm was reportedly seized.
Ongoing Investigation and Denial of Involvement
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects confessed to being politically motivated agents assembled to disrupt the APC primaries. Commissioner Michael suggested that Mr. Akinlayo, who currently holds the House of Representatives seat for Moba/Irehemeje/Ido-Osi and is campaigning for re-election, may have played a role in orchestrating the disruption. However, the Commissioner emphasized that the investigation remains active and that all parties involved will face charges once it concludes.
Akinlayo Responds to Allegations
In response to these allegations, Mr. Akinlayo firmly denied any connection to the suspects or any intent to sabotage the primaries. He described the claims as politically driven attempts to tarnish his reputation ahead of the election. While acknowledging that he was acquainted with two of the arrested individuals, who are part of his media team, Akinlayo emphasized that the others were not affiliated with him and were well-known figures in the community.
Accusations of Opponents’ Misconduct
Furthermore, Akinlayo claimed that many of those arrested belong to government positions or are associated with conflicting interests that oppose his electoral goals. He outright dismissed the notion that he had supplied weapons to the suspects. Akinlayo criticized one of his primary adversaries, asserting that they were resorting to intimidation and fraudulent tactics instead of engaging in legitimate campaigning efforts. He remarked, “Democracy is a government of the people, not for individuals to sit in the comfort of their homes and write results.”
