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The Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party Campaign Council for Saturday’s governorship election has raised concerns over attacks on members of the PDP ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
It has therefore called on security agencies to curtail the excesses of thugs unleashed by the ruling All Progressives Congress, warning of plots to compromise the election.
Chairman of the council, Eddy Olafeso, while addressing journalists in Akure on Thursday, said activities of some members of the APC are capable of breaching the peace in the build up to the November 16 Gubernatorial poll.
He recalled the attack by thugs loyal to the APC in the early hours of Wednesday 13th November, 2024, when a well known APC thug in Idanre Local Government, Oyewole Aderemi (aka Gulder) led a group of thugs to attack PDP supporters, with guns and machete unprovoked.
He said seven persons were seriously wounded, especially Olowoniyi Akinlemimu who is still on admission at the Intensive Care Unit of the State Specialists Hospital, Akure. He said others were still receiving treatment after extracting bullets from their bodies.
“Up till this moment, no arrests have been made and the assailants were given VIP treatment at the APC Grand Finale rally in which the National Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and Vice President, Kashim Shettima were in attendance,” Mr Olafeso said.
“We also have it on good authority that the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has approved the Mobilisation of officers of Nigeria Immigration Service, Customs and Nigeria Correctional Service to participate in the Ondo election. Given the antecedents of the Minister where those who contested House Representatives APC Primary election with his favoured candidate were arrested and brutalised by para-military agencies under his supervision, we have cause to believe that, he may be up to the same antics now.
“The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun assured the people of Ondo State that 22,239 officers will be on duty on election day. This number, we believe is sufficient to guarantee the safety of the electorate and election materials. We condemn in very strong terms, any attempt by the Minister of Interior to use his privileged position in government to undermine peaceful election in Ondo State.”
Olafeso also noted that the actions of members of the APC were clearly in violation of the Peace Accord signed by all parties participating in the election.
“Any attempt to compromise a free, fair, credible and transparent election will be resisted through all lawful means,” he stated.
“We use this medium to plead with all security agencies to be very professional in discharging their duties. We urge them to remember that, a compromised election process is a direct invitation to anarchy. We are a peace loving people who abhor violence but will resist attempts to take us for granted.”
Olafeso said no amount of intimidation and threats would save the APC from suffering monumental defeat on Saturday, urging PDP supporters not to be provoked, no matter the temptation.
At the stakeholders meeting on 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election, held on Thursday, 7th November, 2024 at Akure, Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmoud Yakubu spoke glowingly about the Commission’s readiness to transmit Election results from each Polling Unit, but the news making the rounds is contrary to the assurance earlier given by Prof. Yakubu. For the integrity of INEC, it is necessary that the Commission comes clean on the transmission of election results, which was a sore point in the Edo Election.
Meanwhile, Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said the state Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo, has ordered immediate investigation into the incident, vowing to bring the perpetrators to book.
She said that the Command has “intensified efforts in addressing the Idanre rivalry incident, which has surfaced amidst preparations for the 2024 Ondo State governorship election.”
“It is important to note that CP Oladipo had previously convened a peace meeting on November 12, 2024, bringing together leaders of the two major political parties in the area.
“The case, which has escalated into violence and attempted murder, is currently under investigation to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that peace is restored in the area, particularly at such a critical juncture in the state’s history.
“The CP has made it clear that the Command will exercise zero tolerance towards any individual or group, whether directly or indirectly involved, who engages in or permits actions that could disrupt the peace before, during, or after the election.”
Also, the APC has denied any wrongdoing, saying the tensions between the APC and the PDP in Idanre had also been created by the opposition party members loyal to the PDP deputy governorship candidate, Festus Akingbaso.
Publicity Secretary of the party, Alex Kalejaiye, said APC abhors violence and would not be involved in the skirmish recorded in Idanre.
“We are a peace loving people and we intend to win on Saturday without resorting to violence,” he said.
“It is the PDP supporters that are always creating tensions in Idanre and we know that a lot of youths are loyal to the deputy governorship candidate, and that is why they are unleashing mayhem in the area.”
Kalejaiye the APC had maintained a violent free campaigns across the state and continue to retain that posture, during and after the election.