Fear of violent 2019 election in Oyo, unnecessary ― Ajimobi’s security aide

SPECIAL adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Security, Mr Segun Abolarinwa has discarded apprehension among some residents that the 2019 electioneering campaign in the State will be characterised by an upsurge of violence.

Abolarinwa hinged this assertion on constant sensitisation and better organisation of groups of individuals with tendencies to foment violence and that the All Progressives Congress (APC), remained the dominant party in the state hence had no cause to impose violence to ensure its victory at the polls.

Though he noted the possibility of pockets of misunderstandings, Abolarinwa who spoke with Tribune Online, on Wednesday, said the Ajimobi led administration had in place a tight security apparatus, typified by the continued installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras, in identified trouble spots across the state, to quell any skirmish that may surface.

“It is just apprehension of politicians that there will be an upsurge of violence in the 2019 electioneering campaign. That will not happen.

 

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“The party in power usually is the harbinger of troubles but APC being led by Ajimobi abhors violence and because of this, he will not promote anything that will cause a problem in the state.

“APC is the dominant party in the state while other parties are only trying to carve a niche for themselves, which is understandable in politics. The situation will be such that who do you want to attack, why do you want to attack the person because the superiority of the party in government is well known. So there will not be serious problems.

“There might be pockets of misunderstandings here and there, which is normal. Most of those who could foment trouble have been sensitised and all those who will usually give such problematic issues have been settled. They have been put in a more structured employment.

“Have you heard of anything called “One million boys” anymore? And we now have refined NURTW, OPC has been better organised. And we keep talking to them. We have put them in check. They know what this government will accept and not accept. We are not envisaging any major breakdown of law and order in the coming election.

“The superiority of the party is well known. There might be misunderstandings here and there, but most of those who could foment trouble have been sensitized. We have refined NURTW, OPC and they know what the government wants.

“We have a relatively peaceful and safe Oyo State, so far. Throughout the primaries, where people are usually apprehensive, we didn’t have any problem and it was conducted without reported arson, killings. There were minor disturbances like smearing of campaign billboards, but those are not what used to be compared to what it used to be in those days,” Abolarinwa said.

Also speaking, Executive Secretary, Oyo State Security Trust Fund (OYSSTF), Mr Femi Oyedipe said over N300 million had been expended in installing CCTVs across the state.

So far, he noted CCTVs had been installed in 10 sites in Ibadan, with 10 more to be sited across Oyo, Ogbomoso and Saki areas of the state.

Oyedipe harped on the need for individuals and organisations in the state to pay their security levy, though he noted that the response had been commendable since OYSSTF began security levy collection in July.