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SUSTAINED PERSECUTION OF ENGINEER KAYODE OJO’S SUPPORTERS IN EKITI STATE
“…This pattern of intimidation and persecution is not only undemocratic but extremely dangerous, as it erodes trust in governance….”
The persistent intimidation, arrest, harassment and imprisonment of supporters of Engineer Kayode Ojo, one of the 2026 gubernatorial aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, has become a matter of serious concern. This disturbing trend is a blemish on democracy, the rule of law and internal party freedom in Ekiti State.
Under the administration of the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Abayomi Oyebanji, it is increasingly worrisome that members of his own political party, the All Progressives Congress, are being treated as enemies simply because they have chosen to support a different aspirant within the same party.
In a democracy, this pattern of intimidation and persecution is not only undemocratic but extremely dangerous, as it erodes trust in governance, weakens party cohesion and undermines public confidence in state institutions that are meant to protect citizens.
To a large extent, this persecution is not isolated. Several loyal members of the APC who have openly or quietly expressed support for Engineer Kayode Ojo in his political journey have suffered intimidation, arrest, harassment and unlawful detention. Among those affected are Bayo Aderiye from Ado-Ekiti; Mrs Toyin Abeleje; Taiwo Fabiyi from Emure-Ekiti; Taiwo Oyunlape; Bayo Itakorode from Igede-Ekiti; Obebe Oluwafemi Ayekooto from Otun-Ekiti; Olugbenga Kayejo from Ikere-Ekiti; Omoleye Olajide from Ifaki-Ekiti; as well as members of the APC Ward Executive in Ikoro-Ekiti, including the Ward Chairman, Mr Eniola Olomu, the Women Leader, the Youth Leader and other executive members of the ward.
These frightening incidents point to a deliberate attempt to silence alternative political opinions within the ruling party through fear and coercion. This is entirely against the political principles of the APC, and we cannot allow an individual to destroy our party.
The latest, most frightening and alarming case is the arrest and secret detention of Akogun Abayomi, popularly known as Lustay. On 1 January 2026, after leaving a hotel in Ado-Ekiti along Old Iyin Road, Mr Abayomi was returning home when he stopped beside a police officer he knew and offered him New Year greetings. Shockingly, after exchanging pleasantries, the officer grabbed him and declared that they had been looking for him. Confused, embarrassed and alarmed, Akogun Abayomi asked to know his offence and requested to see a warrant of arrest. However, no explanation, warrant or evidence was provided by the police officer. He was subsequently whisked away after the arrival of other officers and detained in secrecy.
As though it were a drama in a theatre, he was denied access to his wife, lawyers, medication, family, friends and political associates. Ironically, no formal charge was communicated, and no official notification was given to his family. These actions clearly violate the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees personal liberty, human dignity and access to legal representation for all Nigerians.
As information about Mr Abayomi’s disappearance became public knowledge, his lawyer and a political associate visited the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) office at about 9.00 p.m. the same day, only to be told that he was not in their custody. The following day, his family and concerned associates returned to the RRS office and were again told that he was not there. However, as they were leaving, his wife sighted his vehicle parked within the premises without its number plate and raised an alarm that her husband had been kidnapped by the police authorities.
This disturbing development raises serious questions about neutrality in political engagements, transparency, accountability and abuse of police powers in Ekiti State.
Following his arrest, Akogun Abayomi was reportedly subjected to further political intimidation by officers of the Rapid Response Squad. The commander, Marcus Ogundola, who has held that position for about nine years, allegedly ordered him to renounce his support for Engineer Kayode Ojo, also known as EKO in Ekiti State’s political space. This unlawful directive was firmly rejected by the victim of political persecution. Such conduct by a police officer reinforces fears that law enforcement is being misused as a political weapon to coerce citizens into forced allegiance rather than to uphold justice and public order.
This situation is, without doubt, a national embarrassment. It is a shame to the Ekiti State Government, a disgrace to the Police Command in the state and a serious indictment of the judiciary.
Available records show that the same magistrate handling his case is repeatedly used in similar cases and was allegedly summoned from his vacation to carry out this Gestapo-style assignment. We therefore call on the National Judicial Council to urgently investigate the abuse and application of Form K in Ekiti State, particularly as it relates to the violation of the rights of innocent citizens and politically targeted individuals.
We therefore call on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, to urgently intervene and caution the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police and his officers, especially the Rapid Response Squad commander, against the continued abuse of police powers for political purposes. The Inspector-General is kindly invited to note that numerous petitions have already been submitted against the RRS Commander, Marcus Ogundola, bordering on misconduct, abuse of office, unlawful arrests and political intimidation. Failure to act decisively on these complaints will deepen public distrust in the police and reinforce the perception that law enforcement in Ekiti State has been compromised.
While Mr President and leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is working tirelessly to mobilise Nigerians into the party through performance, particularly through the re-engineering of the Nigerian economy, Governor Oyebanji appears more focused on pushing people out of the party through intimidation and the unlawful deregistration of APC members. Akogun Abayomi is one of those challenging the deregistration of his membership and that of other APC members in Ekiti State, many of whom are supporters of President Bola Tinubu. This contradiction undermines party unity and weakens grassroots support for the President in the current mobilisation drive ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
It is also instructive that the Governor allegedly brought in the Chairman of the State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, an individual with a violent history who reportedly almost killed his personal driver, to write a trumped-up petition against Akogun Abayomi. This petition was allegedly linked to events of 9 October 2025, when Akogun Abayomi spent the entire day in the company of Engineer Kayode Ojo. This further exposes the extent to which falsehood and intimidation are being deployed to criminalise innocent citizens.
In view of the grave implications of these actions, and for peace, democracy and stability to thrive in Ekiti State, we call for urgent intervention by well-meaning Ekiti sons and daughters and concerned Nigerians across the country. We first appealed to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, to use his influence and moral authority in defence of justice. We also call on eminent legal minds and elder statesmen, including Aare Afe Babalola, SAN; Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; and Mr Femi Falana, SAN; as well as Senator Babafemi Ojudu and all former governors of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Mr Ayo Fayose and Mr Segun Oni, not to fold their arms while our state is driven towards lawlessness. We further appeal to traditional rulers and Kabiyesis, civil society organisations, professional bodies, individuals and other patriotic Ekiti sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to rise in defence of the rule of law that is being bastardised by political lightweights in the state.
Finally, we call on the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the heads of all security agencies in Nigeria to urgently intervene to prevent Ekiti State from descending into repression, lawlessness and avoidable instability.
Ekiti State must not be allowed to slide into an animal farm where power is abused, dissent is crushed and fear becomes a tool of governance. Political ambition must never be pursued at the expense of human rights, personal liberties, internal party democracy and collective peace.
We strongly condemn the continued persecution of Engineer Kayode Ojo’s supporters and demand the immediate release of Akogun Abayomi and all others unjustly detained for their political beliefs. We also call for an independent investigation into these incidents, and for all those found responsible to be held accountable.
History has shown that repression breeds resistance, while justice and fairness foster unity and progress.
The people of Ekiti State deserve better leadership from Governor Biodun Oyebanji, leadership that respects the rule of law, upholds democratic values and protects the rights of all citizens regardless of political beliefs or alignment.
Signed
Engr Kayode Ojo Campaign Organisation
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