The crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state on the forthcoming primary election of the party in Monday took another dimension as the surroundings of the party secretariat located along Oyemekun road in Akure, Ondo state capital, was laced with fetish objects.
The objects, which include goat and dog heads, red, white and black cloths, local pap, salt and some cash prepared in a plate, were sprinkled with red palm oil while palm frond were tied at the entrance of the party office to signify the sealing of the premises.
The presence of the strange objects prevented the office staff at the secretariat of the party from gaining entry while the party’s secretariat was turned to center of attraction as many people thronged to have a glimpse of the situation.
Some of the staff who wanted to forcefully enter the office were cautioned by some traditionalists who explained that the palm fronts tied around the gate signified ‘No entry’
However, the objects were being cleared by some people under the watch of security operatives before the gate leading to the office was opened around 11:30am
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the party, Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke, described it as part of the antics of the detractors to further distabilise the party before they will eventually decamp to another party.
He said the activities of the people are seen as a handshake beyond the elbow saying it is going beyond a mere crisis within the party but an attempt to kill the party in the state.
Kekemeke said the objects and action of the people should be seen as desecration of the culture of the land and said whosoever behind the atrocity should face the wrath of the land.
Reacting on the act, the Deji of Akureland, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, condemned the act and dissociated the palace from the action.
According to the Akure tradition, the placing of traditional palm fronds at the entrance of any property is a traditional way of sealing such property.
The monarch in a statement issued and signed by the monarch Chief Press Secretary, Adeyeye Michael, the traditional ruler who frowned over the act said using such method to seal off a premises remains the prerogative of the Palace only.
The Deji of Akure said: “The Deji of Akure remains non-partisan and a father to all political aspirants and never authorized such and wishes to inform the general public that such act did not emanate from the palace.
“We wish to inform you that any attempt to desecrate the tradition will be vehemently rebuffed.
It is certain that those who carried out this condemnable act are not aware of the cultural and traditional implications of this action.
“The palace is apolitical and therefore should not be dragged into the internal wrangling of any party.We want to state without mincing words that the palace has nothing to do with and equally condemns it in its entirety.”, the monarch stated.
