PDP Accuses Ekiti Of Refusing To Grant Venue For Atiku Presidential Campaign Rally
Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), on Wednesday accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of Dr. Kayode Fayemi of refusing to grant its request for a venue to hold campaign rally for the party presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the state.
The party said it was smacked of disrespect for the APC led government to have allegedly frustrated the use of Oluyemi Kayode stadium requested by the party as a venue for the campaign.
Briefing newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, the PDP State Chairman, Barr. Gboyega Oguntuase, said the action had again attested to the widespread fear by the opposition party that the APC was desperate to rig the poll and subvert the will of the populace in the 2019 elections.
Atiku ‘s campaign train is scheduled to visit Ekiti state on Monday, January 14 to canvass for votes from electorate ahead of the February 16 election presidential election.
The government had in its reply dated January 8, 2019 and signed by Director, Administration and Supplies, Ekiti Sate Sports Council , on behalf of the General Manager, Mr. Akinola P.A. held that the stadium was under reconstruction and that it has to be prevented from vehicular movement at this time.
The letter reads: “I have been directed to refer to your letter received in January 2 requesting the use of Oluyemi Kayode Stadium for your presidential campaign.
“However, there was need to let you know that the stadium is under repair in preparation for the next football season and wetting. The tracks need to be prevented from vehicular movement and for this reason, we decline the use of this facility”.
Reacting, the state governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi who described the allegation as misdirected and spurious , said the civil servants only replied to the letter based on the prevailing situation and that he never influenced their opinions in the matter as a governor who believes in due process in the civil service.
Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Segun Dipe who responded on behalf of the governor said, “When we came on board, virtually all the facilities were in a state of disrepair. The Ikogosi warm spring, the fountain hotel and this stadium are one of them.
“As a responsible government, we must take steps to put them back to normal shape and Fayemi won’t take any step that would infringe on the right of anyone as a democrat. Even, the PDP didn’t request for the facility through the governor and it was wrong for them to have blamed him in the first instance”, he stated.
