Imo PDP protests Fayose assault

Following the alleged assault on Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State by the police, the Imo state chapter of the People's Democratic Party yesterday took to the streets of Owerri, to protest what they described as impunity.

Led by the State Chairman, Barrister Charles Ezekwem, the members trooped out in their numbers  from their secretariat to the police headquarters where they were received by the Police Commissioner, Dasuki Galadanchi.

Ezekwem said the members of the party nationwide were not happy with the "kind of brutality, intimidation and assault meted out to the Governor of Ekiti state  by the police on Wednesday."

According to him, the Ekiti State incident was a sad commentary in the country's democratic system. 

The PDP chieftain said the state working committee of People's Democratic party, Imo state and the entire members of the party in the state and nationwide observed with dismay the police brutality on the Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

The PDP members who demonstrated round the metropolis, handed to the state police command headquarters where they handed over a petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris,to the state commissioner of police, Dasuki Galandanchi. 

Addressing the CP,PDP chairman in the state,Charles Ezekwem,said that the members of the party nationwide were not happy with the "kind of brutality, intimidation and assault meted out to the governor of Ekiti state  by the police on Wednesday."

Further, Ezekwem said what happened in Ekiti state is a violation of human right, coming just few days to the Governor ship election in Ekiti state and it is very unfortunate.

He said "we are protesting because if we allow this ugly incident to pass without us condemning it, we shall surely face the same situation here in Imo state where the present Governor, Rochas Okorocha has shown no respect for rule of law. We strongly condemn the happenings in Ekiti state and it was a sad commentary to our democracy that Governor Fayose came out on national television and was crying over the brutality of police and the injuries he sustained from the incident of Wednesday in Ekiti state".

The PDP chieftain demanded that what happened on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti does not repeat itself so as to avoid total breakdown of law and order in Nigeria, warning that the whole  world is watching "Nigeria and it will be very bad if democracy fails in our time."

 Ezekwem said PDP's demand in Ekiti is a free,fair and credible election and not the use of police to intimidate Fayose who has immunity.

"We are asking for equity and justice in Ekiti state. We want INEC to be independent and conduct this election in a good way, if PDP loses, we will congratulate the party that won but if PDP wins, let other parties, including the APC congratulate us", Ezekwem said.

On her part, Senator Chris Anyanwu called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the election is fair and credible before the international community.

On his part, the state Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi assured that elections in Nigeria will be peaceful and credible. 

Galadanchi commended the party members for conducting themselves peacefully. 

According to him, this is an era of change mantra and community policing. "We are going to work together to ensure that the elections are peaceful and credible. Here in Imo state, we are going to organize symposia and invite INEC ,political parties and other stakeholders on how the elections would be peaceful and credible", Galadanchi said