Ekiti 2014: Security men treated me like a miscreant at the airport – Oshiomhole

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has described his clash with some security officers on Thursday as unnecessary and embarrassing.

The governor said he was treated like a miscreant by security operatives who reportedly prevented him and some other governors of the All Progressives Congress from attending the final campaign rally of the party's governorship candidate in Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi.

Speaking with Channels Television on Saturday during a breakfast programme, Oshiomhole said the unknown face behind the restriction of the governors' movement was only overzealous.

He said President Goodluck Jonathan might not be held responsible for the incident.

Narating his ordeal in the hands of the security operatives at the airport, the governor said, "Sorry, we have instructions from above that (you) cannot fly."

Oshiomhole said, "I tried to make enquiries, but I was told that I couldn't even fly to Akure and go by road to Ekiti. For me, it was unfortunate because you have overzealous persons.

"It may not be coming from what everybody regards as 'above' because the man in charge of this Nigerian project today, who is in the driver's seat, is the President. I do not think that President Jonathan will order anybody to prevent people from going to campaign.

"But you have people who think they love the ruling party more than the chief of the party. And for me, it was quite embarrassing. I didn't see what value it had. If anything, it raises doubt about the preparedness of the authorities to allow for a level playing field."

He stated that the rules for campaigning were clear, adding that "until midnight of the day before yesterday (Thursday), people continued to persuade."

"It is unfortunate If you can stop a governor and treat him like a miscreant. It's not about me, it's about the office. We reduce the country to something close to a banana republic. I was thoroughly embarrassed and it was an unnecessary thing," Oshiomhole added.


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