Senator Abiodun Olujimi has accused rival political groups of being responsible for the outbreak of violence during the Ekiti State East 1 State Constituency bye-Election on Saturday.
The serving Senator said she was at her Unit Seven Polling Unit Obadore II at Aro Street, when gunmen invaded and this resulted in the killing of a yet to be identified policewoman (see image).
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has suspended the bye-election indefinitely.
This was contained in a statement on Saturday by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye.
The statement partly read, “The commission made adequate arrangements for the election. Personnel and materials arrived on time in all the 39 Polling Units spread across five wards of the constituency for the 23,670 registered voters to exercise their franchise in a free and fair process.
“However, no sooner had the voting commenced than unidentified gunmen unleashed mayhem at some polling units, thereby disrupting the process.
“Unfortunately, some innocent voters were shot dead , while a policeman, some INEC regular and ad hoc staff who sustained gunshot injuries during the melee are receiving medical attention.
“The situation is unacceptable. In its avowed commitment to electoral integrity, the commission has suspended the election indefinitely. To continue with the process will amount to rewarding bad behaviour. The security agencies are aware of this unfortunate situation and have commenced investigation.
“The commission commiserates with the innocent victims of this dastardly act and affront to our democracy.”
Meanwhile, the National Youth Service Corps on Saturday said that the corps member hit by a stray bullet in the Ekiti State bye-election is in stable condition.
A statement by NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations, Adenike Adeyemi, said “he is in stable condition and responding to treatment.”
She said, “The NYSC management wishes to announce that a corps member who was part of the ad hoc staff for the bye-election in Ekiti State sustained a gunshot wound from hoodlums who attacked the polling unit.
“The corps member is in stable condition and responding to treatment, while others have all returned home safely.
“Management wishes to reiterate that corps members are apolitical and neutral and must be protected by all and sundry.”
For now, PMParrot can report that Senator Olujimi was the first to officially visit Omuo Ekiti Divisional Police Headquarters to complain and tell her story.
Packaged by Emmanuel Adeniran
