Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has approved the immediate suspension of one of his aides, Dayo Ibijowo, following his arrest over alleged armed thuggery.

This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Ado-Ekiti by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode.

According to the statement, Ibijowo was among 11 suspected armed thugs arrested on Thursday in Ikun-Ekiti by operatives of the police Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

The police alleged that the suspects were hired by a serving member of the House of Representatives to disrupt the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election scheduled for Saturday.

Oyebode said the suspended aide would remain out of office pending the conclusion of police investigations.

He added that the action underscores the governor’s zero tolerance for criminality, violence and other acts capable of undermining public peace.

The special adviser also recalled that the governor, during his recent tour of the 16 local government areas of the state, appealed to politicians and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the electioneering period.

He warned that no act of lawlessness or political violence would be tolerated in the state. (NAN)