Leaders of Kogi west senatorial district of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday rose in support of the senator representing the zone, Dino Melaye, promising to mobilise for his victory even while he is being detained.
The people also condemned the siege on the Abuja home of the senator and his eventual arrest by the police in a most dehumanising way.
A communique issued at the end of a meeting of the leaders held at Iyah-Gbedde, Ijumu Local Government country home of former military Governor of old Oyo State, General David Jemibewon, expressed concerns over the alleged activities of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the state.
The communique signed by Taiwo Kola-Ojo, senatorial chairman, Kogi West PDP, however, called for Melaye’s immediate release, his safety under police custody considering allegations of past attempts to his life, warning that “nothing must happen to him”.
The leadership in the zone expressed fears that the ruling APC was out for violence and intimidation of opposition members in the state and across the country to achieve electoral victory in the elections.
The people noted that the burning of Melaye’s billboards, violence and threats to life and property were pointers to what to be expected.
The leaders also viewed with reservations recent security concerns raised in some states in the country such as Borno, Zamfara and Katsina States and warned Nigerians to be wary of “booby traps”.
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They cited the tacit extension of the tenure of the outgoing Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the insistence by INEC to have alleged President Buhari’s niece, Amina Zakari, head the INEC ad hoc committee on National Collation Centre as part of the grand plot by the APC-led federal government, the INEC and police to rig the elections at all costs.
The communique read, “We are taking these matters seriously because we cannot fool ourselves that we are comfortable. In view of our state of helplessness, we urge our people to watch out for the possibility of election not holding at all, and if election holds eventually, results may not be declared, also the tendency of inconclusive election cannot be rule out at any time under this regime, and if election is declared and the result does not favour APC, will they be prepared to hand over power?
” If we go to court, will they allow the judiciary to play its role? This is why we told our people to pray fervently, for our distinguished senator Dino Melaye.
“Our people are resolute that just like the recall exercise failed, they will return senator Dino Melaye in the February 16 election whether he is released from detention or not. Fortunately enough, he does not have a competitor. We urge our people to pray fervently for Kogi West, to pray fervently for 2019 general elections and to pray fervently for the survival of Nigeria after the election”.
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