By Abdulrofiu Agboola
The All Progressive Congress (APC), in Osun has called on security agencies in the state to intensify security of lives and property as the by-election into the Osun West senatorial district draws nearer.
The party also emphasized the need for the police and other security services to make their presence felt at political rallies to arrest escalation of violence which according to the party is already rearing its ugly head.
A statement from the party’s Directorate of Publicity, Research and Strategy, signed by its director, Kunle Oyatomi, the party said though security agencies are, discharging their duties diligently and responsibly, however, they should do more and be routinely proactive, to further safeguard lives and property of the law abiding citizens in the district.
APC in the security alert said it becomes imperative to beef up security as a result of alleged PDP-instigated violence in at least two of APC rallies since campaign began for the West Senatorial District by-election.
The party pointed accusing fingers at the PDP for causing mayhem in two of its rallies at Ido Osun and Okinni in Egbedore Local Government Area of the state last Thursday.
The party maintained that the PDP had no business interfering during APC rallies in these places, except to provoke violence in order to intimidate its party supporters from active participation in the electoral process.
The statement drew attention of the security agents to what it described as, ‘PDP’s notorious violence’ in the state, which the APC claimed, ‘is a stock in trade of the opposition party since 2005’.
The APC said that it would appear ‘the PDP knows no other way to participate in elections, other than to intimidate supporters of its opponents, through bloody violence.
‘This is not in the best interest of peace, which is necessary for democracy to thrive in the state’, the statement affirmed”.
APC therefore called on the police and other security agents in the state to keep a close watch on the PDP ‘before the party creates problem for everybody in Osun.
“Osun is peaceful and we appeal to the security agencies to ensure that the state remains peaceful throughout the period, especially so, when the APC will be conducting mega rallies this week”.
