Member of the seventh House of Representatives and former governorship aspirant, Opeyemi Bamidele, and one other person have been shot in Ekiti State.
The shooting occurred on Friday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, as a result of an accidental discharge.
The incident took place at the All Progressives Congress secretariat in Ajilosun, Ado-Ekiti, during a reception organized for the governorship candidate of the party, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
It was learnt that the bullet came from the rifle of a mobile policeman who was among those deployed to ensure security.
Bamidele has been rushed to an unknown hospital for treatment, while the yet-to-be-identified second victim is feared dead.
Party chairman Mr Jide Awe, claimed that the shooting was aimed at Fayemi, although Bamidele accidentally fell victim of the shot.
“When he shot at the crowd, I believe sincerely that he (the police) aimed at Dr Kayode Fayemi but narrowly, he (Fayemi) was pushed by somebody walking behind him,” Mr Awe revealed during a telephone interview on Politics Today.
“Opeyemi Bamidele was equally very near him and the shot hit him. But I can say authoritatively that he’s not badly hit, and he is recovering as we are talking,” he added.
The APC chairman, who witnessed the incident, noted that those at the scene thought the shot was fired by an overzealous officer who was trying to pay respect to the former minister.
The reason behind the rage of the policeman has yet to be ascertained. But an eyewitness said that the policeman was provoked by some thugs who waylaid dignitaries at the secretariat.
