Ekiti APC Governorship Aspirant Alleges Persecution Of Supporters

 

A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State, Kayode Olubunmi Ojo, has accused the state government and security agencies of harassing, arresting and economically victimising his supporters over their alleged loyalty to his 2026 ambition.

Ojo, an engineer, made the allegation in a statement on Saturday, claiming that APC members backing his governorship bid were being treated as enemies within the ruling party.

He described the situation as “a serious assault on democracy, the rule of law and internal party freedom in Ekiti State.”

According to him, his supporters across the state have been subjected to arrests, attempted arrests, intimidation, surveillance, unlawful detention and denial of statutory entitlements.

He listed some of those allegedly affected to include Bayo Aderiye in Ado-Ekiti, Taiwo Fabiyi in Emure-Ekiti, Obebe Oluwafemi Ayekooto in Otun-Ekiti, Olugbenga Kayejo in Ikere-Ekiti, as well as members of the APC Ward Executive in Ikoro-Ekiti.

Ojo specifically alleged that one of his supporters, Akogun Abayomi, also known as Lustay, was secretly arrested on January 1 without a warrant and detained without access to his lawyer, family members or medication.

He further claimed that a woman identified as Mrs Alade in Akure and another supporter, Mr Adesokan Israel, were being targeted based on what he described as unsubstantiated allegations.

The aspirant accused the Ekiti State Police Command, under Commissioner of Police Joseph Eribo, and the Rapid Response Squad led by Marcus Ogundola, of abusing their powers for political reasons.

He also faulted the judiciary, alleging that repeated use of Form K was being employed to legitimise repression of his supporters.

Beyond security-related actions, Ojo alleged that some former political officeholders believed to be supporting his aspiration were being denied severance allowances and other entitlements.

Those he named include Bamidele Gbayigi, Adelodun Bosede, Omotehinse Abraham, Toyin Farodoye and Ogunjobi Busayo, among others.

The allegations are coming amid rising tensions within the Ekiti APC ahead of the June 20 governorship election.

Ojo and another aspirant were reportedly disqualified from participating in the party’s primary election, a development that cleared the way for the emergence of Governor Biodun Oyebanji as the party’s consensus candidate.

Supporters of the disqualified aspirants had earlier complained of intimidation and threats during internal party processes, calling on the national leadership of the APC to intervene.

Governor Oyebanji has, however, repeatedly appealed for peace and unity within the party, urging members to shun violence and respect democratic processes ahead of the election.

Ojo called on APC national leaders, former governors of Ekiti State, legal luminaries, civil society organisations and traditional rulers to intervene in what he described as a dangerous trend.

He demanded the immediate release of detained supporters and an independent investigation into the allegations.

Efforts to get a reaction from the Ekiti State Police Command spokesperson, Abutu Sunday, were unsuccessful as calls and messages sent to him were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.

Similarly, the Ekiti State Government had yet to issue any official response to the allegations.

Ojo accused the Oyebanji administration of vindictiveness, insisting that the alleged actions were capable of undermining party unity ahead of the 2026 governorship election.