- assures he means no harm
By Banji Ayoola
A former governorship aspirant and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State, Mr Isaacs Kekemeke, has apologised over a viral video in which he purportedly threatened violence and asserted that his party would use the federal might to win the October 10 governorship election.
He gave the apology in his response to an open letter to him by one of his admirers, a royal father.
He wrote: “Dear Regent,
“I have just read your open letter to me and I thank you for it. The video under reference is a pep talk to a gathering of my supporters in my office that an aide inadvertently shared.
“The sarcasm and the humour contained in the hometallk have been spinned and hyped to achieve political objectives.
“My records in the politics of this state as a militant (aggressive, defiant , fighter) are too well known and I am not ashamed of it. I just finished one with Gov. Akeredolu.
“Kabiyesi, I understand that we are all on edge and that in these times, majority of people will take things at face value.
“For those who are genuinely troubled by the clip, I take it that it is because they believe that the video does not represent the me that they know. I apologise to them.
“For Governorship Candidate Jegede, SAN, he should rest assured that no harm of any sort will come from me to him. I have no intent or capacity to do so.
“For the PDP, I reiterate that I will work so hard with my party, the APC to beat them silly (ana pa) during the Oct 10, 2020 Governorship election.
“All over the world, incumbency at election confers advantage. Our party can’t be denied the advantages of both the federal and state incumbencies through blackmail.
“I can assure you and others that I remain committed to a non- violent electoral process as I have always done.
I trust you will be kind enough to give this response as much publicity as you gave yours.
Thank you, Kabiyesi
D.I. Kekemeke.”
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had at a press conference in Akure addressed by its State Chairman, Hon Fatai Olotu, few hours ago condemned the video as shameful and reckless.
It said: “There is this viral video where one Isaacs Kekemeke, former Chairman of APC in Ondo State openly admitted that APC thugs, sponsored by Akeredolu were responsible for destroying campaign bill boards and posters of Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, the PDP standard bearer.
“He also confessed that the NURTW will be mobilised with arms and ammunition to rig the Election in favour of APC. He admitted in like manner that Federal Might, whatever that means, will be brought to bear on the elections in Ondo State.
“We are very surprised that up till now, the security agencies have not apprehended D. I. Kekemeke to answer for his utterances that are capable of precipitating crisis, and setting Ondo State on fire ahead of the Gubernatorial Election in the State.
“His statement was careless and very reckless, unbecoming of a man who parades himself as a lawyer. By his utterances, he is a huge disgrace to his profession and party.”
Kekemeke in the viral video published by Sahara Reporters while meeting with his supporters, said that APC would ‘beat’ the opposition using all means.
Also, he criticised PDP candidate, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, for alleging that his banners were destroyed by APC thugs.
Kekemeke, pioneer APC State Chairman; pioneer PDP State Secretary; former Secretary to the State Government, SSG; ex-Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; former Commissioner for Works; former member of the State House of Assembly; and pioneer Chairman of the National Examination Council, NECO, had been singled of all former APC governorship aspirants for running “the most mature and focused campaign with emphasis on his objective and agenda for the prosperity and peace of Ondo State.”
In the story, published by The Radiance on July 17, titled: “Kekemeke, Ondo APC Guber Aspirant Gets Kudos For Running Most Decent Campaign,” he had been showered with accolades by prominent citizens of the state shortly before the primaries that produced Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as the APC candidate in the October 10 election.
One public commentator had written of Kekemeke: “This is commendable. It is only those who have nothing meaningful to offer who resort to attacking others, calling others names, blackmail, violence and all the dirty tricks that are common with politicians, not only in our Country Nigeria, but in virtually all the so called democracies.
“A decent human being would never resort to such condemn-able acts for whatever reasons. I am happy that you choose to be different. And that is what attracts you to me! I wish you more strength.”
Also, Hon. Demola Ijabiyi, the Chairman of Strategic Mobilisation and Communication Committee of Lekeleke Movement, Kekemeke’s political vehicle, had said that he was not surprised.
He asked: “Which of the aspirants can boast of this kind of intimidating credentials?”
Ijabiyi added: “You can see that he has brought his outstanding wealth of experience in Law, politics, administration and human relation to bear on his campaign method and style.”
His words: “Instructively, no other aspirant has better recommendations, specific objectives or defined agenda for the peace and prosperity of Ondo State than those of Kekemeke.
“He is definitely different and has stood out from the crowd. The APC can’t give the State a better candidate. When you are the best, you are simply the best. In this election, Kekemeke is it.”
Ijabiyi noted that Kekemeke, who also was once a distinguished member of the state House of Assembly, as the pioneer NECO chairman, led the body to national and international recognition.
He added that as attorney general and commissioner for justice in the State, he moved from the Justice Ministry to become the commissioner for works, lands, housing and transport.
