The All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission again, asking the human rights watchdog to present its complaints before the International Criminal Court in The Hague to prosecute Governor Ayodele Fayose for his various alleged human rights abuses against political opponents.
The APC had about five weeks ago petitioned the NHRC, listing various physical attacks launched against its members and leaders, including media blockade for the opposition activities and destruction of their billboards and posters.
The Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, said in a statement that the party was taking the step owing to the escalation of hostilities against the opposition leaders in the state.
According to Olatubosun, attacks on APC leaders increased on Monday.
Those attacked, according to him, included Oluwole Ariyo; Alhaji Jinadu Ayodele; Remi Olorunleke; Bayo Aina; former Commissioner for the Environment and House of Representatives candidate, Dr Eniola Ajayi; and House of Assembly candidates, Olubunmi Oriniowo and Shola Fatoba.
Others included senatorial candidate Gbenga Olofin and former Ijero Local Government Chairman, Bode Agbeleye, who had their cars damaged and bullet-ridden.
Olatubosun added that at the same Ijero Local Government, the house belonging to the father of former Finance Commissioner, Dapo Kolawole, was damaged.
He said non-politicians perceived as having sympathy for the party were also threatened with arrests, citing the Market Women’s Leader in Ado-Ekiti, Chief Waye Osho, who was harassed by the governor for attending an interactive session involving all Ekiti State stakeholders with the wife of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, at Fajuyi Hall in the state capital.
According to Olatubosun, the woman is now in hiding after threat to deal with her.
He added: “As we speak, Fayose has listed over 100 APC influential members for arrest to take them out of circulation to enable him have a field day during election.
“We hereby urge NHRC to focus attention more on Ekiti State during this weekend elections so that we don’t wait until lives are lost before we call Mr. Fayose to order. We also invite the rights commission to visit Ekiti State for a full investigation of our claims. We also urge the rights watchdog to transfer Ekiti matter to the International Criminal Court for full prosecution of all human rights abuses in Ekiti State.”