AYODELE Fayose, Governor of Ekiti State, has accused Ibrahim Idris, Inspector General of Police (IGP) of trying to kill him.
He told Nigerians to hold the IGP responsible if he dies.
Fayose made the allegation at the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) rally in Ado-Ekiti, the state’s capital, Wednesday.
He alleged that the police had beaten him up and shot at him.
The police had used teargas to disperse PDP supporters who had gathered for the party’s rally earlier, but they regrouped and eventually held the rally.
Appearing in a neck brace and a bandages all over, Fayose said he would be going back to the hospital for treatment, adding that the police authority in the state were not picking his calls.
“They [the police] are beating anybody who has any sign of PDP on them. They are not picking our calls; they’ve made up their minds to do this evil.
“I am in pain, I am in severe pain. I can’t turn this neck anymore. If anything happens to me, the Inspector-General of Police should be held accountable,” the governor said during a brief interview with reporters.
“The COMPOL MOPOL [referring to the Commissioner in charge of the Mobile Police department] and the AIG ordered that the Governor should be killed,” Fayose said while addressing the party’s supporters.
“I was slapped by a policeman who kicked me and shot at me. But I want you all to be strong and be of great courage. Do not be dismayed, this party must be won.
“This is not the democracy we asked for. I want you to stand and remain standing. Don’t be afraid. I pray that they will not cause 1983 problem in Ekiti.
“I will go back to the hospital and remain there for a while to rest. I am having a lot of pains, but I prefer to bear this pains because of you.”
Fayose alleged that many supporters of the PDP, including teachers and commercial motorcycle riders, were being arrested and tortured, and called on the international community to come to the state’s aid.
Explaining why the police had dispersed the PDP rally, Joshak Habila, Deputy Inspector of Police in charge of Operations, said that the party did not have the clearance to hold such rally.
Habila, who is also the officer in charge of the Ekiti election activities, said the decision to disperse the rally was a proactive one aimed at preventing the breakdown of law and order.
The All Progressives Congress had held its own rally successfully on Tuesday, with President Muhammadu Buhari and several APC governors and ministers as well as party chieftains in attendance.