Political leaders in Ondo State are worried over the spate of violence that has characterised the governorship campaigns in the state.
They want the security agencies to rise to the occasion. Traditional rulers and community leaders have also been suing for peace, urging rival partisan politicians to desist from heating up the state ahead of the October 20 election.
Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader in Akure, the state capital, Chief Wumi Adegbonmire, attributed the violence to the desperation of the Labour Party (LP) Governor Olusegun Mimiko to remain in office beyond this year. He complained that thugs have been invading the ACN meeting venues to instill fear into the people. The foremost politician warned that the trick would fail because people were seriously pushing for power shift.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer, Olusola Oke, a lawyer, has also complained that suspected LP thugs have been disrupting campaigns. But he urged calm, saying that the will of the people will prevail.
The Director of Mimiko Campaign Organisation, Mr. Kola Olabisi, denied the allegations. He said PDP and ACN were giving the dog a bad name to hang it. “LP is a peaceful party. Ondo State was peaceful before some people invaded the state to disturb its peace. Our campaign in the Labour Party is peaceful”, he said.
ACN spokesman Gboyega Adedipe said Olabisi was pretending. He alleged that Governor Mimiko, who is seeking re-election, has been waging war against the opposition. He recalled that violence started on April 20, 2012, when the ACN organized a memorial lecture for former Governor Adebayo Adefarati at Oyemeku Road, Akure. Adedipe said LP members stormed the venue, singing and dancing provocatively to abusive songs against the opposition party.
“As the guests, mostly ACN members, began to arrive, the situation became rowdy as their supporters also stationed themselves outside the hall singing and dancing. The situation, however, turned violent when some invitees to the lecture, including former commissioners and special advisers who served under the late governor were prevented from entering the lecture hall by Labour Party members”, he lamented.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and police took the pre-emptive action by banning political gatherings. But it is always difficult to enforce ban on political activities in a volatile state.
On Saturday, July 28, the convoy of the ACN candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu, was attacked in Akure by thugs. The party blamed LP for the attack, which was denied by its Publicity Secretary, Kole Odogiyan. The media aide to Akeredolu, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, alleged that hoodlums hauled stones and pebbles at the convoy.
A day before this attack, there was a clash between PDP and LP members at Ode-Irele. According to the PDP Director of Publicity, Mr. Ayodele Fadake, the clash was sparked off by government’s decision to inaugurate a community-based project on the same day that the PDP had obtained a Police permit to hold a rally in the town. “Some LP members planned to defect to the PDP and this sent the ruling party leaders jittery”, he said.
Ajanaku said Mimiko resorted to violence because he has no concrete achievement. “This is a governor who has sought to convince the world that he has performed in all spheres, but the evidence cannot be found”, he said. Olabisi rejected this claim, saying that the governor has done much for the state, adding that people would reward him with votes next month.
Ajanaku said gone were the days when non-performers would continue to be in public office in the Southwest. “Can we perform Mimiko to Fashola in lagos, Adams Oshiohmole in Edo? The handwriting is bold on the wall”, he added.
Election observers warn that violence may discredit the poll in Ondo, if stakeholders fail to avert the scenario. “Politicians should engage the people with their manifesto and plans, instead of resorting to violence during electioneering,” said Tunde Imolehin, an activist, who added: ”Violence is an ill-wind that blows nobody no good.”
Adegbonmire said an atmosphere of peace is critical to peaceful elections. “ACN is ready and we will not be intimidated. we want security agents and INEC to do a thorough job without fear or favour”, he added.
Last month, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, warned thugs to leave the state. He warned the members of the road transport unions, who are always tools in the hands of politicians, to shun violence. “I am coming to supervise the election in Ondo myself. So, the unions should stay away from trouble”, he said.
Resident Electoral Officer Akin Orebiyi, who spoke on phone, also assured the partied of a level playing field. “We will work with security agents to ensure an atmosphere of peace and transquility during the election”, he assured.
