The Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation, has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the security situation in Ondo state ahead of this year’s governorship election amidst recent attacks on supporters and billboards of some Aspirants by some political thugs.
In a Press statement made available to newsmen on thursday in Akure, Mr Courage Oladele, Admin Secretary of Oke Campaign Organisation, lamented that, “you are aware that the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on a private visit was in Ondo state to commiserate with the family of the former governor of Ondo state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, the good people of Owo Local Government as personified by the His Majesty the Olowo of Owo. The president also visited PA Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of Afenifere at his country home.
“As the leader of the All Progressive Congress and father of the nation, leaders, members of our party and the good people of Ondo state trooped out to welcome the president. Expectedly, the gubernatorial aspirants vying on the platform of APC mobilised their supporters to welcome Mr. President at the airport. Chief Olusola Oke and supporters of Oke Campaign Organisation were there to welcome Mr. President, too.
“What was supposed to be a rousing welcome and celebration of the visit of Mr President was turned to a theater of violence and bloody attack on our supporters and other APC members who were waiting for the arrival of the president. The orchestrated attacks were carried out by some hired indigenous and non-indigenous thugs as well as members of the NURTW.
“The members of NURTW who were cladded in vests and faze caps of the governor of Ondo State were led by Mr Eniba. Property, especially our campaign billboards and that of others, were defaced, pulled down, or rightly destroyed. Party members perceived to be loyal to the aspiration of our principal sustained varied and diverse degree injuries resulting from the attacks unleashed on them.
“T-shirts, faze caps, and other insignia wore by our supporters and that of others were torn to shreds. The thugs who carried out the orchestrated attacks were armed with all sorts of dangerous weapons.
“Gentlemen of the press, the need for this press statement is not borne out of fear or inability to protect our supporters henceforth (we can and we will), but the overriding need to save our dear state from a reenactment of the dark days by those who harbor vaulting and mechanical ambition tied to the aspirations of others.
“As a responsible campaign organisation, we are unable to accept the imposition on the party members, a regime of panic and fear in other to supplant popular participation in a democratic process aimed at emplacing accountable and responsive leadership.
“We have thought that the dark days of thuggery and politics of violence are over and may the day never come when a supposed leader of men will re-enact the gory experience of the past.
“It is in the light of the above and the need to call the attention of Mr Governor to the shameful and undemocratic actions of these elements who wore vests and caps with his photograph and name to attack my supporters that we need to address you, the gentlemen of the press.
“Also, we call on all security agencies to not only to be on red alert against future occurrence but to ensure that those who carried out these dastardly attacks are apprehended and punished. This will serve as a deterrent to others who may be emboldened should this ugly act go unpunished. A stitch in time saves nine, they say,” said Oladele.
PRESS STATEMENT
GOVERNOR AIYEDATIWA CAUTIONS AGAINST POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN ONDO STATE
- Directs security agencies to arrest perpetrators
The attention of Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has been drawn to reports of alleged attacks on some persons and destruction of campaign materials in the wake of the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the State on Wednesday.
The Governor says his administration will not tolerate any form of violence that is capable of threatening the peace and tranquility of the State.
As the Governor has said repeatedly, any political campaign that disturbs the peace in the State is unacceptable and must be met with the decisive actions of law enforcement agencies.
It is pertinent to make it clear that nobody associated with the Governor or the government of Ondo State was involved in any of the reported activities ascribed to “political thugs” during the President’s visit to Owo and Akure.
The Governor has therefore asked law enforcement agencies in the State to arrest and prosecute anyone found to be engaged in such violent activities.
The Governor urges politicians and their followers to ensure that their campaigns are issue based, devoid of blackmail, spreading falsehood, inciting the public and intimidating opponents.
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
February 29, 2024.
