The internal crisis in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State assumed a dangerous dimension as one of its chieftains and Ado Ekiti Ward 9 Women Leader, Mrs Bola Owolabi was allegedly attacked and wounded during a meeting.
Reports have it that the cold war between the immediate past Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose and his estranged Deputy, Professor Olusola Kolapo, has worsened as supporters of the two PDP leaders engage in one another in fisticuffs.
The injured Owolabi was allegedly attacked by one Tosin Adebayo believed to be a loyalist of Fayose’s. The failure of Fayose to sustain his support for his former Deputy’s Governorship ambition ahead of 2022 poll actually caused a fresh crisis in the party.
While the victim is supporting Kolapo, her attacker is a supporter of Bisi Kolawole, who is Fayose’s anointed candidate for the 2022 Ekiti Gubernatorial poll.
Adebayo is an aide to the Director of Administration and Strategy of Bisi Kolawole Campaign Organisation and he is also from Ward 9 where the incident happened.
Ogunsakin, a former Chairman of Ado Ekiti Local Government, was also the running mate to Eleka, who was the PDP flag bearer in the 2018 governorship election.
Concerned members of the PDP have reported the alleged assault at the Okesa Police Station and the state office of the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA) for further investigations.
An associate of the women leader said: “This is a case of assault and it must be pursued to a logical conclusion. It could have turned the victim to a blind woman and the club could have hit her on the head.
“Our party is a peaceful party and we abhor violence. The aggressor and his sponsor must be made to face the wrath of the law because my friend could have been killed in such an unprovoked attack.”
“The attack on the woman emanated from her support for Eleka which Tosin (Adebayo) is not comfortable with because he and Ogunsakin are in support of Bisi K (Kolawole).
“The woman was one of the party members who attended the wedding of the son of Eleka in Ilorin recently contrary to the order given by Fayose that nobody should attend.
“How can an individual told party members to shun the wedding party of a leader in the same party because of political disagreement? Is that not pettiness taken to a ridiculous level?
