Metro
South West PDP Blames CP Mobayo for Violence, Killings During Ekiti East By-Election
*Ekiti CP Denies Policewoman’s Death, Warns Against Politicising Matters*
*INEC Voids Ekiti East By-election*
The South West Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Mobayo, must be held responsible for the killing of a policewoman and two others during the House of Assembly bye-election in Ekiti East Local Government area of Ekiti State on Saturday.
In a statement by the Party’s Zonal Director of Media and Publicity, Lere Olayinka, the Police Commissioner was accused of shielding government thugs, even after credible evidence of their criminal acts were presented to him.
The party said it was sad that blood-letting always follow Fayemi’s footsteps whenever he is at the helm of affairs in Ekiti.
“During Fayemi’s first tenure, it was in this same Omuo Ekiti that Michael Ipinlaye and Kehinde Fajuyi were killed by his (Fayemi) thugs while Foluso Ogundare was killed in Akure Ekiti and Ayo Murphy Jeje and Juliana Adewumi were killed in Erijiyan Ekiti.
“Also, during the 2019 local government elections in which only APC contested, one person was killed in Ikere Ekiti,” Olayinka said.
Continuing, the PDP spokesperson said: “Sad that just because of a House of Assembly bye-election, a policewoman was killed in Omuo Ekiti today, by thugs unleashed on the people by the APC government of Dr Kayode Fayemi.
“May be the Police Commissioner in Ekiti State, Mobayo Babatunde will act now that one of his officers was killed in Omuo Ekiti today, by Fayemi’s thugs.
“When the thugs sent to assassinate me and Dayo Akinleye invaded GNN Hotel in Ado Ekiti on October 24, 2020, and CCTV footages were made available to the police, nothing was done.
“Today, the thugs have killed a policewoman and two other people.
“Let’s see what Ekiti State Police Commissioner will do this time around.
“And most importantly, let’s see if CP Mobayo will stop being complicit in government sponsored attacks in Ekiti State by arresting those killers led by Dele Omojola (Marshall) who invaded GNN Hotel in Ado Ekiti and attempted to kill myself and Hon Dayo Akinleye on October 24, 2020.
“As for us in the South-West PDP, the blood of that police woman and the two other people killed in Omuo Ekiti today, will be on the head of CP Mobayo because he refused to act decisively when he should.”
In his response, CP Mobayo denied the allegations, warning that no one should draw the Ekiti Police into politics. He added that the Command swung into action on getting wind of the violence, stressing that some ‘key suspects’ have already been arrested, and investigations have commenced.
“It should be noted that the police Command in Ekiti swung into action immediately the incident was reported and arrests were made of key suspects. Investigations have since commenced and all culprits shall be charged to court accordingly. The Command therefore warns against dragging the Nigeria Police, especially *CP TUNDE MOBAYO,* into politics, while also stating that the allegation, which is aimed at misleading and misinforming the good minds of the citizens, should be disregarded,” a statement signed by the Command’s PPRO, ASP Abutu Sunday said.
The Command also said that the policewoman is not dead, but in critical condition receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has suspended the Ekiti East By-election over the bloody violence.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Tella Adeniran, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti, said the commission suspended the poll following the violence unleashed on voters and officials of the electoral body by political thugs.
Adeniran explained that the election was peaceful until arm-wielding hoodlums stormed two polling units of ward 009 unit 008 and 009 and started shooting sporadically.
This development, the INEC boss, said led to the death of three voters while a police officer, Corps member and one of its staff sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund has intensified support for community-based security with the donation of 100 anti-riot kits and 1,000 pairs of operational boots to the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency.
The high quality modern equipment was presented on behalf of the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, by the Director of Administration, Mr. Adegbola Lewis, to the General Manager of LNSA, Dr. Ifalade Oyekan, at the Agency’s headquarters in Oshodi.
The Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency plays a critical role in grassroots security as they support the police through intelligence gathering, routine patrols, and community policing initiatives across all local government areas in the state. The Corps is also tasked with maintaining law and order, detecting suspicious activities, and fostering safety awareness within communities.
The intervention is expected to further strengthen neighbourhood-level security architecture and deepen collaboration between communities and formal law enforcement agencies in State.
The Federal government has declared Friday, May 1, a public holiday to commemorate this year’s International Workers’ Day.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on behalf of the government.
In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, the minister congratulated workers nationwide, commending their commitment and contributions to national development.
He noted that the dedication of Nigerian workers remains vital to the country’s growth and economic progress, urging them to sustain values of patriotism, productivity and diligence.
Tunji-Ojo also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare, enhancing security and creating an enabling environment for economic expansion.
He called on Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding during the celebration, encouraging citizens to reflect on the importance of unity and hard work in nation-building.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has expressed concern over the rising pressure on workers’ welfare and economic conditions of the country.
The Congress warned that it would embark on nationwide protest, if there is no improvement.
The warning was conveyed in in a communiqué jointly signed by the TUC President, Mr. Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Mr. Nuhu Toro, at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.
The Congress said the NEC meeting reviewed the state of the nation, developments within the congress, preparations for the 2026 May Day celebration, and other critical issues affecting Nigerian workers.
“The prevailing economic hardship has significantly affected the living standards of Nigerian workers, making daily survival increasingly difficult.
“We are closely monitoring the situation, and if there is no improvement, the congress will have no option but to mobilise workers in defence of their welfare.
“Government must urgently take concrete steps to address the rising cost of living and restore confidence in the economy,” it said.
The Congress said rising fuel prices, inflation, electricity tariff increases and insecurity had combined to erode workers’ purchasing power and living standards.
It noted that global developments, including the Iran–U.S. conflict, were further worsening economic pressures through higher energy costs and supply chain disruptions.
According to the TUC, Nigerian workers have not benefited from higher global oil prices but continue to face rising costs of transportation, food and essential services.
It urged the Federal Government to deploy excess crude revenue to cushion economic shocks and support vulnerable citizens.
The congress also called for urgent measures to stabilise fuel prices, improve electricity supply, and address insecurity nationwide.
It emphasised the need for policies that promote decent work, job security and social protection.
“The government must prioritise the welfare, dignity and security of Nigerian workers in all policy decisions,” it said.
The TUC further called for tax relief for manufacturing companies and workers to ease economic pressure and stimulate productivity.
On electricity, it condemned repeated tariff increases without improved service delivery and demanded fair pricing, universal metering, and an end to estimated billing.
The congress expressed concern over rising insecurity, describing it as a major threat to economic activities and workers’ safety.
It urged government at all levels to adopt coordinated, intelligence-driven strategies to protect lives, farms, businesses and critical infrastructure.
“A stitch in time saves nine,” the communiqué added.
