Ondo State Governor, His Excellency Lucky Aiyedatiwa, wishes to address the misconceptions surrounding the arrest and detention of Mr. Kunle Ajayi, the 2024 Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC). Mr. Ajayi was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force in Ondo City on August 10, 2024, during a rally that the police said was hijacked by criminal elements.
Governor Aiyedatiwa was not informed of the arrest until the evening of August 10, 2024, when he was briefed by security chiefs about the situation. The governor learned that some criminal elements had hijacked the protest marking the 10th day of the #EndBadGovernanceProtest.
The police are responsible for maintaining law and order and ensuring the security of life and property, which is their constitutional duty. Therefore, it is incorrect and politically motivated to link the governor to the arrest of the AAC’s governorship candidate.
The governor was informed that Mr. Ajayi was detained alongside known suspects on the police’s wanted list. The police are tasked with conducting preliminary investigations or profiling of arrested individuals, and they will follow appropriate procedures based on their findings.
As the Chief Security Officer of the state, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa remains committed to prioritizing the rights, safety and well-being of the people irrespective of their tribes, religious and political inclinations.
Allen Sowore, Esq.
SSA to the Governor on Strategic Communication
11/08/2024
