Aiyedatiwa campaign coordinator’s killing might be political – Chairman

Mr David Ajobiewe is the Chairman of the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State. He speaks with PETER DADA about the death of one of the coordinators of the organisation in the local government, Mr Alaba Abe, who was assassinated by unknown gunmen a few days after the primary election of the All Progressives Congress in Supare-Akoko

What was your relationship with the deceased?

I was his boss in the local government.  I mean I am the LACO Chairman (in Akoko South-West LGA) and he was the coordinator in Ward 10 in Supare. He was a very dedicated man, so much so that during the past APC primary election, he was our returning officer in Ward 10. He was a good man, a very hardworking, very dedicated, and very gentle man.

Since when have you known him?

I have known him for quite a while. He was a good politician. When we started LACO, Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation, someone nominated him as one of the members of LACO and I picked him as the coordinator in that ward because I know his credibility and capabilities, and how agile he was on political issues.

Where were you when the tragedy happened?

I was in my local government. It came as a rude shock. The following morning, the director of information of our organisation called to inform me. It was sad news. So, I informed the group, both in the local government and the state the following day.  I visited his family. I met with the children and the wife and you know the wife is still young, I think she is in her late 30s. He has three children. They are not even up to the teenage age. Then I met with the police too and the police said they were making progress because when I discussed with the wife, she made me understand that Alaba had a disagreement with someone earlier but the police had invited the actual person and he was taken to Akure for interrogation.

The indicted person, is he a member of the APC too?

No, he is not

But is the person a politician too or a member of the opposition?

No, he is not a politician; maybe a person heard it from somewhere when they were planning the evil act. The police are still conducting an investigation, I think the person narrated to the police and then they interrogated him where he (the suspect) was heard saying “Someone will die today”, and I was told that even during the evil act, the people kidnapped a lady who was with him (the deceased).

With what you heard, how did the incident happen?

I was told it was on the night of Saturday, April 29. The deceased was coming from somewhere. He met that lady on the way and gave her a lift in his car. The wife said when he got to the gate of his house, the people had already laid an ambush for him in front of his house. So when he got to the gate, they just approached him and that was when they started shooting. According to his wife, they shot him in the back, and stomach, then they took the lady in his car away.  It looked like an assassination sort of.

Has the kidnapped lady been released by the hoodlums?

Yes, after a few days, the lady was released.

How many days after, specifically?

I think about three days after

Was ransom paid before her release?

I don’t know, I am not aware of that.

After her release, she must have made certain comments on the matter. What exactly did she say?

I think the police are handling the matter and I believe all these would be part of their investigation, as I said, the police are making progress on the matter

What do you suspect about the killing?Related News

I think, after the police investigation, the PPRO will let the public know whether the killing is political or not, but the majority of the people are saying it is political, but we don’t know.

The politicians are saying it is political. You know he was our returning officer during the last primary and there were issues immediately after the primary. That’s why people are saying the killing is political.

How many days after the primary did it happen?

I think the incident happened about a week after the primary election.

Has he been buried?

Yes, he was buried last Friday

How is the political atmosphere currently in your LG following the incident?

Everybody is mourning because Alaba was loved by the people. Everywhere is still cold presently.   He had been laid to rest last Friday and, on behalf of the entire LACO and the local government, I visited the wife officially. I visited the police too. They discussed their ongoing investigation, at least they are making progress.

Don’t you think Alaba’s death may destabilise your plans for the coming election?

We will miss Excel greatly but we have the upper hand in the ward and Ondo State generally. I don’t think we have any party that can pose a threat to us.

Now that you have finished the primary, there are so many issues on the ground. Some of the aspirants have gone to court, and some are asking for the cancellation of that primary, what’s your take on this?

The primary election was credible, we have it free and fair because, in my local government, it was free and fair. The INEC officials were there, all stakeholders were there, and they conducted the election free and fair.

I think there were issues in Okitipupa or other places but in Ondo State generally, it was free and fair. In an election, someone will win and someone will lose and the person that loses will want to argue some things out. I think that is what is happening.

There was a report that INEC said the primary was not credible.

As I said, the primary was credible but there might be some certain places where there might be hitches and the party will resolve that. The news on social media is rumours and propaganda. The primary election was credible. The Chairman of the Committee and Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, commended the effort of the electoral body and everybody involved in the party.

But with those that are aggrieved now, don’t you think APC may be divided before the election?

We have called for reconciliation, even in the state. The President called all the aspirants and met with them. Even at the state level, he sets up some delegates to talk with them to achieve reconciliation. There is no cause for alarm, the party will unite ahead of the election in November.

Since when have you joined the APC?

I am a grass-roots politician and I have joined the APC since its formation.

What are your political antecedents, sir?

As I said, I am a grass-roots politician. I contested for the State Assembly in previous elections for Akoko South-West Constituency 1. I am not tired, l remain a loyal member of the party, the leaders are aware of my credibility, and that is why I was picked to be LACO chairman of my local government.

So for the forthcoming election in 2027, my followers and leaders are considering that I should contest. It’s a call that I cannot reject.