Youths in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, under the aegis of Ado Progressives Youths (APY) have warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State to stop disparaging the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN).
They described any attack on him as a direct attack on the entire people of Ado Ekiti in particular and Ekiti State in general.
Reacting to a write-up titled “See Where Ekiti Elders Have Led Us” purportedly written by Elder Adedayo Falade, the APY accused the APC Spokesperson, Taiwo Olatunbosun and an aide of former governor and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Mr Hakeem Jamiu of being the brains behind the offensive write-up.
Rising from its meeting at Odo-Ado, in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, the APY said in a statement signed by its President, Asiwaju Adewale Falade, that it was the height of irresponsibility for the APC in Ekiti State to be circulating online, such a write-up against a revered leader of Ekiti like Afe Babalola just because of his support for Governor Ayodele Fayose.
The youths demanded an unreserved apology from the APC for attempting to bring the good name of Aare Afe Babalola into disrepute.
“We take exception to anyone disrespecting Baba Afe and any leader in Ado Ekiti because of politics and this irresponsible politics of the APC must stop.
“Today, Afe Babalola is the highest contributor to the economy of Ekiti State apart from the government. How can any sane Ekiti person be referring to such a man as the number one enemy of Ekiti State, who won’t mind romancing anybody as long as his business interest is protected?
“Why is it that the APC in Ekiti State will not mind pulling any Ekiti indigene down just because of politics?
“That was how the APC Chairman, Jide Awe led over 50 members of the party to protest against Afe Babalola in faraway Ibadan, Oyo State in 2007 just because he was perceived as not supporting Fayemi, their party candidate in 2007.
“The other time too, it was the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye that the APC disparaged and accused of collecting bribe just because he commended Governor Fayose for his courage and willingness to defend Ekiti people and the cause of the common man in the country.
“They also abused the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola just for visiting Governor Fayose in Ekiti and describing the governor as an ‘omoluabi’ and a performer.
“We wonder what manner of political party goes about disparaging and castigating senior citizens of Nigeria like Afe Babalola, Pastor Adeboye and others just for holding opinions contrary to those of the party.
“We therefore warn the APC in Ekiti State to stop behaving rascally by sponsoring negative write-ups against notable indigenes of Ekiti State just because they support the progressives efforts of Governor Fayose”, they stated.
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