Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has refuted allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of denial of access to Oluyemi Kayode Stadium for the party’s presidential rally.

The People’s Democratic Party alleged the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of Fayemi had deprived it access to the facility for its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku‘s campaign team is set to storm Ekiti on Monday, January 14 to canvass for votes in the February 16 election.

While briefing newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, the PDP State Chairman, Barr. Gboyega Oguntuase, stated it was disrespectful for Fayemi to have frustrated use of Oluyemi Kayode stadium requested by the party as a venue for the rally.

Oguntuase said action had again attested to the widespread fear by the opposition party that the APC was desperate to manipulate the poll and subvert the popular will of the people in the 2019 elections.

In a swift reaction to the allegation, Director, Administration and Supplies, Ekiti Sate Sports Council , on behalf of the General Manager, Mr. Akinola P.A., explained the stadium was under reconstruction, which has prevented 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 repairs 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”.

But Fayemi described the allegation as mischievous and spurious saying the civil servants only replied to the letter based on the prevailing situation.

Fayemi, who reacted through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Segun Dipe 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”.

•Sourced from The Nation report

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