Ekiti guber elections: APC Governors allegedly barred from landing private planes in Akure

The APC is claiming that some of their governors have been barred from landing their private planes in Akure ahead of the June 21st governorship election in Ekiti state. The leadership of the opposition party said while APC Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, managed to land his plane, Governors Rabiu Kwankwaso and Adams Oshiomhole weren't so lucky as their planes were denied the rights to land at the Akure Airport.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who also managed to avoid the airport security, was allegedly stopped by soldiers from proceeding to Ekiti by road.

The APC governors and leaders are going to Ado for the party's final campaign on Friday & to show solidarity to the incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi. Continue...


In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said at least three Governors - Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and Rabiu Kwankwanso of Kano - have so far been prevented from making the trip. 

It said the helicopter that was to ferry Gov. Oshiomhole from Benin to Ado-Ekiti was refused permission to take off from the Benin Airport, while the plane that was flying Gov. Kwankwanso to Akure was denied permission to land.

According to the APC, while the plane carrying Gov. Amaechi actually landed in Akure, his convoy was stopped at the border between Ondo and Ekiti States and ordered to turn back, because he would not be allowed to reach Ado-Ekiti.

The party said while Gov. Amaechi's convoy was being detained in order to force him to turn back, the convoys of the Ministers of Defense and Police Affairs came and were allowed to pass.

''These acts are illegal and definitely not in line with the Electoral Act, which stipulates that campaign for the election will only end at midnight on Friday.

''It also represents a manipulation of the electoral process when all the candidates will not be allowed a level playing field to campaign for the election. There is no clearer manifestation of the federal government's allergy to free, fair, transparent and violence-free election than this.

''Several months ago, we warned that Nigeria under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan was sliding into fascism and we were pilloried in certain quarters for daring to make such a statement. Today, we have sadly been vindicated.

''Not even in the worst days of the abhorrent military dictatorship were things done this brazenly, with citizens being denied their fundamental rights of free movement, free assembly and free expression, all because of the desperation by the ruling party to win elections at all costs.

''We therefore call on all good people of Nigeria and indeed all the country's international friends to speak out against what is happening before things get out of hand. If democratically-elected Governors could be so shabbily treated, despite the high office they occupy, what will happen to ordinary Nigerians in the hands of an increasingly-fascist government?'' The party said

Alhaji Lai Mohammed
National Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC)
Ado-Ekiti, June 19th 2014