Ondo election: Akeredolu called for tight security

The All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN Campaign team has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris and other security operatives to provide security for Ondo state ahead of the November 26, governorship poll.

Akeredolu, who spoke through one of his media aides, Mr. Kunlle Adebayo, lamented that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has allowed its internal crisis to lead to violence in the state.

He accused Governor Olusegun Mimiko of making threat statement following the non-inclusion of his anointed candidate in the final list of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, released on Thursday.

Akeredolu called on all stakeholders in the state including: Kabiyesis, religious leaders, the media, labour leaders, artisans, Okada riders, the youths and other group leadership to actively intervene by helping to secure peace and calm in the state.

The statement reads, “The Akeredolu Campaign platform notes with concerns the tension and anxiety generated in the state by the final list of governorship candidates published by INEC yesterday.

“We have also noted with regrets today the release of violence, wanton disruption of public peace, commerce and rights of free movement of citizen, by the government backed faction of the PDP and its supporters.

“In this particular circumstance, it is well known that the ugly situation we are witnessing today in Akure is the official reaction of PDP to yesterday’s court ruling concerning the matter of their primaries.

“While we recognize the fact that the choice of candidates remains an internal matter of the PDP, we are also disappointed and outraged that the public, particularly the electorates and innocent citizens are now being subjected to unwarranted threats and embarrassment by the PDP due to its inability to govern its affairs decently.

“We wish to stress that it is shameful, unthinkable and unacceptable that the PDP will allow the failure of its internal party process to degenerate to terrorism of the innocent electorates of Ondo state.

“We therefore appeal to the leaders of PDP, particularly Governor Olusegun Mimiko to review its strategies of managing its internal affairs by exploring proper legal channels of seeking redress.

“At this time of electioneering campaigns, the Governor Mimiko led PDP is advised to repent from acts of violence, provocation and intimidation of the public. It must resist from inspiring and sponsoring actions leading to destruction of public peace and properties.

“By the reason of the needless and irresponsible actions of today, the nation’s security agencies must be put on notice on the attitude and plans of the ruling government to the November elections.

“It is regrettable that before our very eyes, the government backed PDP is making good its threat to foment civil crisis if its preferred candidate is not recognised by INEC in its final list released yesterday.

“We thereby advise the Inspector General of police, the DG of DSS and other security chiefs to scale up their preparedness for securing the November 26 elections, after all as they say, the morning shows the day.

“We also wish to respectfully call on all leaders of our society : our Kabiyesis, religious leaders, the media, labour leaders, artisans, Okada riders, the youths and other group leadership to actively intervene by helping to secure peace and calm.

“We must remember that Ondo state, our land of Sunshine, is our inheritance and this generation and that of the future have nowhere else to claim as our own. Our task therefore is to salvage it.”