The Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP, Usman Baba, and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi, over alleged assassination attempt on his life by political thugs.

The 18-paragraph petition dated April 7, 2022, titled ‘Re: Attempted Assassination of Engr. (Chief) Olusegun Oni, former Governor of Ekiti State and Gubernatorial Candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ekiti State in the forthcoming Governorship Election in the state’, was signed by Mr. Owoseni Ajayi, the principal partner of Owoseni Ajayi and Associates of Equity Chambers.

In the petition, which was made available to journalists by the Media Director of his Campaign, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, Oni urged the heads of the security agencies to strengthen his personal security in view of the attack, which he described as politically motivated.

He urged the police to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the mayhem that happened on Wednesday April 6, 2022 at Efon Alaaye, which was allegedly led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader in the local council.

According to him, the attempt was meant to assassinate him because of his growing popularity. He urged the security agencies to immediately bring the culprits to book to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

The petition read in part: “We are counsel to Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ekiti State whose gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election is the former governor of Ekiti State, Engr. (Chief) Olusegun Oni. On their behalf and instruction, we write this letter as follows:

“That since the campaign had been declared open for the gubernatorial election in Ekiti State by the INEC, the SDP led by its flag bearer, Oni, had commenced its campaign starting with Town Hall meetings at the headquarters of the respective local governments in the state.

“That the campaign itineraries are with the full observance of due process, which include: (i) Written information to the police including its Divisional Police Headquarters for security cover. (ii) Written security cover information to the INEC. (iii) Peaceful conduct of its members.

“So far, the campaign had visited seven local government headquarters to hold the Town Hall meetings with its members with the massive turnout but without any hitch.

“That on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, it was the turn of Efon Alaaye Local Government, Efon.

“That at about 3pm, the venue for the reception of Engr. Segun Oni and his entourage was set for their arrival.

“That at about 3.30pm, the gubernatorial campaign team led by its candidate arrived at the venue.

“That as the team was about embarking from their various vehicles, the APC hoodlums led by its Youth Leader in the local government, Mr. Oluwafemi Gbenga, a.k.a Owolesu attacked the ground venue with dangerous weapons like gun, machetes, charms.

“That in the process of the attack, several people were wounded and vehicles vandalised.

“That it took a later intervention of a detachment of police men from the Division Station at Efon before the hoodlums were overpowered because they initially overwhelmed the policemen stationed at the venue.

“That the gubernatorial candidate, Engr. Segun Oni escaped death by whisker as his vehicle was attacked.” (The Guardian)

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