Members of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State and the coalition of civil society groups on Monday morning staged a peaceful rally to celebrate the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigeria after medical treatment in London.
Leaders of the party and various groups, descended heavily on Governor Ayodele Fayose over the statement credited to him that President Buhari, had been placed on life support since June 6 in the London hospital.
The crowd, which comprised party supporters, civil society groups, artisans and Okada riders, started the rally as early as 7.30 am from the Oke Iyinmi to the party secretariat in Ajilosun chanting anti-Fayose’s songs and the PDP.
Some of the placards carried by the participants read “welcome home Baba”, “Welcome back to Nigeria and continue your good work”, “We are prepared to vote Buhari again.”
Others read, “Fayose should produce the 11 damaging pictures or resign now, Shame to bad people, Buhari is back, Fayose, you have finally killed yourself ooooooo”
The mammoth crowd, comprising party supporters, civil society groups, artisans and Okada riders, marched from the Oke Iyinmi end of Ado-Ekiti to the state party Secretariat, located at the Ajilosun end of the town, chanting various songs to welcome Buhari and denouncing the governor.
Addressing the rally, the state Deputy Chairman of the APC, Mrs Kemi Olaleye, castigated Governor Ayo Fayose over his several hate speeches, especially the statement recently credited to him that President Buhari, has been placed on life support.
Olaleye said many residents of the state were happy to see the President back.
“God shamed those wishing the President dead, his return return will rekindle the war against corruption, insurgency and secession, “she said.
Olaleye appealed to Fayose to make good his threat that he would commit suicide if President Buhari returned to Nigeria alive.
She used the opportunity to allay the fear that the forthcoming APC primary for the governorship poll in the state would be manipulated.
She assured that the party’s candidate will emerge through a unanimous voice of party members.
“Mr Fayose has turned himself to a propaganda-in-chief, but we are happy that God has shamed those who thought President Buhari would not return alive
“The good people of this state are not in support of Fayose’s action because we are cultured and compassionate people.
“We are solidly behind President Buhari even beyond 2019. And we are pleading with Nigerians to discountenance whatever Fayose has been saying against the president. He was not been speaking for us, he only spoke for himself, “she said.
Olaleye added that Ekiti was tired of ”one day, one trouble ”under Fayose, saying the next poll will mark the end for the governor’s dominance in the state.
Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Mr Tunji Ogunlola, thanked Nigerians for their prayers, steadfastness and belief in the administration of President Muhammad’s Buhari.
“Nigeria’s collective destiny cannot be aborted by a tiny group of crooks whose survival depend on the looting of our commonwealth.
“It is on this strength that we believe the President’s return presents a fresh hope for the accomplishment of our collective dream for a great nation as he settles down to work, “the CNPP chairman said.
Also addressing the crowd, the Coordinator of Progressives Youth League, Mr. Adeoye Aribasoye and the former Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, (TUC) in Ekiti, Mr Kolawole Olaiya, urged Buhari to probe various bailouts and Paris club funds that had been released to Ekiti State.
“Ekiti people are respectable people with human feelings, we could not have wished Buhari dead, over what? Governor Fayose only spoke for himself,” he added.
