Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has suspended one of his aides, identified as Dayo Ibijowo (also known as Ijaya), following his alleged arrest alongside suspected thugs by police operatives in the state.
Ibijowo, who serves in the governor’s administration, was among 11 suspects arrested by the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, in Ikun-Ekiti on Thursday and later paraded by the police on Friday.
According to the Ekiti State Police Command, the suspects were allegedly recruited by a sitting member of the House of Representatives to disrupt the All Progressives Congress, APC, House of Representatives primary election scheduled for Saturday.
In reaction to the development, Governor Oyebanji ordered the immediate suspension of the aide pending the outcome of ongoing investigations into the allegations.
The suspension was confirmed in a statement issued by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, who said the decision reflects the administration’s firm stance against violence and criminal conduct.
He added that the suspended aide will remain out of office until investigations into the alleged thuggery case are concluded by security authorities.
Oyebode further noted that the governor had earlier wrapped up a violence-free campaign tour across the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State on Wednesday, during which he consistently urged political actors and supporters to uphold peace before, during, and after the electioneering period.
Reiterating the governor’s position, he said Oyebanji had repeatedly called on residents and political stakeholders to maintain calm, stressing that the state government would not tolerate any form of criminality or electoral violence.
