By Valentine Amanze
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the two wards of Ire Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, has denied involvement in the crisis rocking the town.
It is being rumoured that the PDP was behind the Ire Ekiti Ogun festival crisis.
But the party wondered how the crisis arising from the Ogun Festival could nowbe dressed with political garment, adding, “PDP as a party has no hand in it.
“It was absolutely a festival issue and not in any way a political matter.”
In a statement on Thursday, by Tajudeen Jimoh, and Ayelegun Rufus, the chairmen of Ward one and two,
respectively, the party said at no time did anyone, acting on behalf of the PDP, demand money from the Onire of Ire Ekiti, Oba Victor
Bobade, nor accused him of collecting money from Ekiti State Government to stop Ogun festival.
The statement reads: “In view of the rumour going around that the crisis rocking lre Ekiti is politically motivated by the opposition party, we, the PDP leaders in lre Ekiti, wish to state as follows:
“That the crisis rocking lre community is not politically-motivated. PDP as a party has no hand in it. It was absolutely a festival issue and not in any way a political matter.
“That members of the PDP in lre have never at any point in time demanded money from Kabiyesi nor accused him of collecting money from
Ekiti State Government to stop Ogun festival nor ever accused him of
being partisan.
“We are knowledgeable and we are eminently aware of
COVID-19 guidelines.
“That lre Ekiti PDP members are peace-loving people and we will not be involved in any acts that will jeopardize the peaceful coexistence of our people in the community.
“We are appealing passionately to the good people of lre Ekiti to
Remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding.
“Knowing fully well that what befalls one befalls all, we sympathize
with Kabiyesi and those who lost their loved ones in the crisis, as we pray that God Almighty will give them the fortitude to bear the
irreparable loss.”