The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Ondo State Chapter on Monday, described the last Saturday local government election conducted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, as a huge embarrassment to democracy and a big show of shame.
The PDP who frowned over the violence recorded before and during the local government election said the development indicated that the APC has overstayed its welcome in the state.
Speaking during a press conference, the state Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Fatai Adams, gave the APC a knock for the violence, thuggery and imposition, saying the development offered a glimpse of what should be expected in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
Adams who specifically called on the security operatives to investigate comments attributed to a chieftain of the APC of the former APC chairman in the state who was quoted to have said that the party would employ violence to win the October 20 governorship election.
According to PD chair, the violence employed by APC was a pointer that APC is no longer welcomed in the state, hence the brutalization of residents who opposed the party’s style of administration.
He said, “you are all aware of the scale of violence that marred the Local Government Election conducted by the Rotimi Akeredolu led APC Government over the weekend.
“The outcome of the election revealed that indeed, the people have rejected policies and programmes of a Government that has pauperized them.
“APC thugs brutalized the people and vandalized vehicles where people resisted their rigging plan. We developments that should concern all of us, because, if not nipped in the bud now, such can rob us of our hard-earned democracy.
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“There is this viral video where one Isaacs Kekemeke, former Chairman of APC in Ondo State openly admitted that APC thugs sponsored by Akeredolu were responsible for destroying Campaign Bill Boards and Posters Of Eyitayo Jegede, the PDP standard-bearer.
“He also confessed that the NURTW will be mobilized with arms and ammunition to rig the election in favour of the APC. He admitted in like manner that, Federal Might (whatever that means) will be brought to bear on the elections in Ondo State.
“We are very surprised that up till now, the Security Agencies have not apprehended D.I. Kekemeke to answer for his utterances that are capable of precipitating crisis and setting up Ondo State on fire ahead of the Gubernatorial Election in the State.
“His statement was careless and very reckless, unbecoming of a man who parades himself as a lawyer. By his utterances, he is a huge disgrace to his profession and party.
“We wish to put it on record that, the people of Ondo State have rejected Akeredolu and his lacklustre performance. Therefore threatening violence will not in any way save him from defeat. Our victory at the poll is already guaranteed as we rely on God and the good people of Ondo State.”
Adams however, expressed optimism that PDP will emerge victorious in the forthcoming governorship race but said that governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his party, APC should be held responsible for any violence at the forthcoming poll.
He urged security agencies to be on the alert as the poll draws near, Adams added that “no one should go to this extent to subvert the wishes of the people in this brazen manner.”
The reacting to the PDP claim, the state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alex Kalejaye, said “it is unbelievable that political parties that refused to participate in the process, engaged in crude and untoward activities, all in deliberate, but futile efforts, to frustrate the process and discredit same”
He said “the APC, in Ondo State commends its members across the state for promoting good conducts, and exhibiting an enviable sense of responsibility during the local government election on Saturday.
“As stakeholders in the State’s project, members of APC, managed unprovoked attacks from members of other political parties, with an unusual degree of maturity, to ensure the success of the election.
“We further appeal to our members to be watchful of more provocative utterances and calculating hostilities from other parties that are rapidly losing credibility, and members to the ruling party.
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