The member representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency II in the House of Representatives, Akinlayo Kolawole Davidson, has dismissed allegations linking him to the sponsorship of thugs to disrupt the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Ekiti State.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the lawmaker described the allegation as “malicious, baseless and misleading,” accusing political opponents of attempting to tarnish his reputation ahead of the party’s primary election.

According to the statement, Hon. Davidson remains committed to peaceful and credible democratic processes and has never encouraged or financed violence in any form.

The lawmaker stressed that he is a loyal member of the APC who has consistently advocated transparent and violence-free elections within the party and beyond.

He further stated that he remains the only aspirant in Ekiti North Federal Constituency II to have campaigned across all the 32 wards in the constituency, where he engaged directly with party members and stakeholders on issues affecting development, unity and progress.

The statement added that his grassroots support and acceptance across the constituency make any resort to violence unnecessary and contrary to his political beliefs.

Hon. Davidson also denied any connection with individuals allegedly arrested over acts of thuggery, insisting that they are not members of his campaign structure.

The statement claimed that available information indicated that the suspects were non-state actors allegedly working with and on the payroll of the state government, adding that attempts to link them to the lawmaker were deliberate efforts to mislead party members and the public.

While calling on party supporters to disregard the allegation, the federal lawmaker urged security agencies to remain vigilant and investigate individuals spreading falsehood capable of creating tension within the APC.

He reaffirmed his commitment to peace, party unity and the continued development of Ekiti North Federal Constituency II and Ekiti State at large.

The Ekiti State Police Command has dismissed a police officer, Sergeant Osayingbemi Temitope, over alleged misconduct linked to the consumption of illicit drugs.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, the Command said the officer was found behaving erratically in a viral social media video recorded in Ikole-Ekiti on May 9, 2026.

According to the statement, the officer was immediately subjected to medical and psychological evaluations following the incident.

The Command disclosed that the psychological assessment showed that the officer was emotionally stable, while the medical test confirmed that he tested positive for tobacco and amphetamine.

It added that during further investigations, the officer admitted to taking illicit drugs.

The statement noted that internal disciplinary procedures had been concluded and the officer was found culpable of misconduct.

“The officer was recommended for dismissal and the recommendation was upheld. The Command hereby confirms his dismissal, which takes immediate effect,” the statement said.

The Command reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force remains a disciplined organisation and would not tolerate acts of indiscipline, unprofessional conduct or any behaviour capable of tarnishing the image of the Force.

The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Falade Adegoroye Micheal, charged officers of the Command to uphold professionalism, accountability, integrity and remain committed to their statutory responsibility of protecting lives and property.

The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Ekiti State has warned aspirants contesting the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries against violence, thuggery and hate speech ahead of the exercise scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2026.

The warning was issued during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday at the Police Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, where security agencies and electoral officials met with APC aspirants participating in the primaries.

The meeting was attended by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti State and Chairman of ICCES, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, alongside the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police and Co-Chairman of ICCES, Falade Adegoroye Micheal, as well as other members of the committee.

Speaking at the meeting, Omoseyindemi said the gathering became necessary to ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible conduct of the primaries. He urged aspirants to avoid acts capable of causing breakdown of law and order before, during and after the election.

The REC specifically cautioned politicians against the use of thugs, violence and inflammatory statements, stressing that all stakeholders must work together to sustain peace and democratic stability in the state.

Also addressing the aspirants, Commissioner of Police Falade disclosed that security agencies had received intelligence reports indicating that some individuals were allegedly planning to disrupt the primaries.

He warned that anyone found engaging in violence or any act capable of jeopardising the peaceful conduct of the exercise would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Other ICCES members also advised the aspirants to embrace peace and conduct themselves responsibly throughout the electoral process.

As part of resolutions reached at the meeting, all aspirants signed an undertaking committing themselves to maintaining peace, political stability and democratic order before, during and after the APC primaries.