Less than 48 hours before the governorship election in Ondo State, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of violating a peace accord signed by all political parties in the state last week.
The PDP alleged that APC members in Idanre unleashed terror on prominent PDP members, injuring at least seven people who remain critically injured at the State General Hospital in Akure, the state capital.
The Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, disclosed this during a press briefing in Akure, stating that no arrests have been made while the perpetrators remain at large.
Olafeso claimed that the attack by thugs loyal to the APC in Idanre injured seven PDP members, including a party leader in the area, Otunba Olowoniyi Akinlemimu. He reported that Akinlemimu, who was seriously injured, remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the State Specialists Hospital in Akure, while others are still receiving treatment after bullets were removed from their bodies.
Olafeso also raised an alarm over an alleged plan by a top APC member to mobilize paramilitary personnel to influence the election in favor of the APC.
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Condemning any attempts by the ruling APC to undermine a peaceful election, Olafeso stated that the PDP would resist any violation of the peace accord signed by all parties.
According to him, “Any attempt to compromise a free, fair, credible, and transparent election will be resisted through all lawful means.
“We use this medium to urge all security agencies to act professionally in discharging their duties.
“We remind them that a compromised election process is an invitation to anarchy. We are a peace-loving people who abhor violence but will not allow ourselves to be taken for granted.
“No amount of intimidation or threats will prevent the APC from facing a monumental defeat on November 16. We also urge our supporters not to be provoked, regardless of the circumstances.
“It is essential that the Commission is transparent about the transmission of election results, which was a contentious issue in the Edo election.
“What happened in Edo will not happen in Ondo. They have no manifesto other than to hope for luck. Our people are ready. Our safeguard is the support of the people.”
In response, the APC Director of Publicity, Steve Otaloro, denied the allegations regarding threats to a peaceful election, asserting that the party is focused on winning the election.
In a statement, Otaloro said, “The APC rejects any act of violence, especially in an election we are poised to win, given the overwhelming support our candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has received.
“The allegation that an APC member engaged in thuggery to attack PDP members in Idanre is a fabricated story intended to tarnish our party’s image.
“The PDP’s sudden concern about violence is a desperate attempt to divert attention from their anticipated defeat.
“They were intimidated by the massive turnout at our grand finale rally, which was attended by the National Chairman of APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“We also deny any involvement of the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in mobilizing officers from the Nigeria Immigration Service, Customs, and Nigeria Correctional Service for the Ondo election. These agencies are not legally mandated to participate in election matters.
“We advise the PDP to respect the electoral process and the assurances of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who has pledged to deploy 22,239 police officers on election day. The PDP should stop spreading unnecessary fear and agitation.
“The APC remains committed to a free, fair, and credible election. We urge the PDP to do the same and respect the democratic process. The people of Ondo State deserve better than baseless allegations and fear-mongering.
“The PDP’s press conference was merely a desperate attempt to preemptively justify their imminent loss in the election. They are trying to create a narrative to explain their impending defeat, but the people of Ondo State won’t be deceived.
“We are confident that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa will emerge victorious, and we look forward to continuing the progress and development of our great state. Let’s focus on issue-based campaigning and allow the people to decide.”
