There was a protest in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital on Wednesday
over the continued detention of some All Progressives Congress (APC) members in
prison custody for alleged murder.
The protesters who are members of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and Road
Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) defied an early morning
downpour to stage the protest at the state APC secretariat in Ajilosun area of
the city.
They demanded the release of seven persons accused of complicity in the
murder of the former state Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport
Workers (NURTW), Omolafe Aderiye, on September 25, 2014.
Those facing trial and detained in prison custody are two former RTEAN
chairmen, Adebayo Aderiye a.k.a. Ojugo and Rotimi Olanbiwonnu a.k.a. Mentilo;
state OPC leader, Adeniyi Adedipe a.k.a Apase; Sola Durodola, Ajayi Kayode, Oso
Farotimi and Sola Adenijo a.k.a. Solar.
The protesters alleged that the detainees were arrested on trumped-up
charges and slammed into prison because of their membership of the APC, calling
on senior party leaders to intervene and save them from death.
They appealed to former governors who are members of the party,
Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Segun Oni and Dr.
Kayode Fayemi and other leaders like presidential aide, Babafemi Ojudu, state
party chairman, Olajide Awe to intervene and save their party men.
The protesters also called on Governor Ayo Fayose to act like a
statesman, rise above partisan interests and facilitate the release of the
detainees who have been unjustly punished for what they knew nothing about.
Some of their songs include “E tu won sile o, awon to wa l’atimole, e
tu won sile (release them, release those who are in custody, set them free),
“solidarity forever, solidarity forever.”
Protest leader, Tunde Makanjujaye, described the APC members as
“political prisoners,” saying the prosecution has failed to establish a case of
murder against them and now resort to what he called “frivolous applications”
at the Appeal Court to stall the case.
Makanjujaye lamented that their incarceration has affected their health
and ruined their businesses. He regretted that the vehicles of the detained
transport union members have been grounded while OPC boss’ auto business has
collapsed.
Wife of one of the detainees, Mrs. Blessing Durodola, said it has been
very tough for the family since her husband was held, calling on the state
government to have mercy on the children.
“My husband did not know anything about the murder, we have lost
everything since he was detained and taking care of our children and sending
them to school has become a huge burden.
“I want APC leaders at the national level to save their members
unjustly detained, it has been very tough and difficult for us. Life has not
been easy for us.”
Personal Assistant to OPC leader, Kamaru Lateef, said the protest was
to draw the attention of APC leaders at national and state levels to the plight
of the detainees who, according to him, are suffering because of their party
affiliation.
Lateef said: “We want the APC Federal Government to intervene, we want
these people to be free. We have made representations to party leaders and we
want them to use everything at their disposal to ensure their freedom.”
Sikiru Eyebiokin said: “We want Governor Fayose to have mercy on these
people, they were not the ones responsible for the killing of Omolafe. We want
them to be released unconditionally.
“Their houses have been burnt, their businesses ruined and the governor
must know that they are all Ekiti sons and what goes around comes around.”
Another member, Akin Enikanolaye said: “We want our bosses in prison to
be set free because the case in the court has been stalled. Everybody in Ekiti
knows that they are innocent that is why government is using all tactics in the
book to delay the case.”
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