Violence is reported to have flared up in Ekiti State as the dispute over the governorship election result takes a dangerous turn. The streets are said to have become deserted and the Fayemi Campaign Office burnt along with “lots of buildings.”

Incumbent governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is challenging the victory of former governor Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It is believed that this morning’s violence is connected with the murder, last night, of Chief Omolafe Aderiye, immediate past state chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

A staunch Fayose supporter, Aderiye, popularly called Lafeade, was trailed to his office and shot dead. He had in the morning accompanied Fayose to the Ekiti State High Court, Ado-Ekiti, where the inaugural sitting of the State Election Petition Tribunal was disrupted by thugs, who beat up a judge, Justice John Adeyeye, and prevented journalists from performing their duties.

The sitting was, however, adjourned to October 14, 2014 following the debacle. It took the intervention of the State Police Commissioner, Taiwo Lakanu, to rescue the chairman of the panel and his team from the court.

•Photo shows a detachment of mobile policemen guarding the Ekiti State High Court, Ado-Ekiti.