Oyo APC Raises Alarm Over Planned Attack On Leaders

By Olusakin Babalola,Ibadan

The Oyo State All Progressives Congress has raised the alarm over alleged planned attack by opposition parties and their supporters on selected chieftains of the party, especially in the next few days close to the election.

The party also warned against further unprovoked attacks and wanton destruction of their campaign materials by suspected political thugs armed by the opposition parties.

A statement by the spokesperson of the APC Campaign Organisation, Dr. AbdulAzeez Olatunde, on Sunday, said that the warning became necessary in view of the intelligence report at its disposal that the opposition planned to unleash mayhem on the APC from Monday.

He said that the party decided to renew its calls on security agencies to protect its members because of the latest gang up by opposition members in their desperate bid to dislodge the ruling party at all cost.

At the last count, he said that criminally-minded members of the opposition had attacked the convoy of the APC governorship candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; State Chairman, Chief Akin Oke; candidate for Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela; and standard bearer for Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Mr Shina Peller.

Olatunde said, “We are using this opportunity to raise the alarm over planned attack on our leaders in the next few days. Intelligence report at our disposal suggests that these desperate opposition parties plan to attack our campaign rallies to carry out this clandestine plan.

“The government of APC had since 2011 brought back the peace and security that had eluded the state for several years. We will, therefore, not sit back and allow overzealous opposition party members to take us back to those inglorious days.

“Violence is an ill wind that blows nobody any good. Now is the time for them to stop these mindless attacks. We have been restraining our members from reprisal attacks and such gesture should not be misconstrued for cowardice.

“Politics should not be reduced a do-or-die affair. If you are sure that your party and your candidate have what it takes to win elections you will not resort to this barbaric idea of maiming and killing opposition figures.”

Olatunde admonished APC members not to retaliate, assuring them of the ability of security agencies to wade in and arrest the situation before things got out of hand.

He said that the APC remains the best choice for the people of the state, judging by its people-oriented programmes and policies.

Besides, Olatunde said that the APC was proud of its unprecedented achievements at the national level in the last four years and at the state levels in the last eight years, which he said were enough campaign references.

He used the opportunity to solicit the continued support of the people for the APC in the forthcoming general election, warning that doing otherwise could cause the country incalculable setback.