President Muhammadu Buhari, flanked by Akeredolu and Jegede
By Bolu-Olu Esho
Ongoing series of violent attacks and deadly activities of miscreants masquerading as supporters of politicians and political parties in Ondo State ahead of the governorship election should be given a drastic attention if President Muhammadu Buhari indeed wants a free, fair and credible election in the state.
There’s no doubt, politicians usually apply different strategies in their bid to ensure they come out victorious at the poll. It becomes worrisome when their strategies put life and property on the line while pursuing their ambitions.
It is no longer news that Ondo State in the last three weeks has become nest of hoodlums who seize the security lacuna to peddle their deadly enterprise.
Many incidents had been recorded and one of the most dangerous of such occurrences was the attack launched on Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, standard bearer, Eyitayo Jegede, and party members and supporters in his entourage in Oba-Akoko in Akoko Southwest Local Government Area of the state allegedly by some miscreants in the entourage of the incumbent governor of the state, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
No fewer than fifteen vehicles were riddled with bullets by the miscreants.
The PDP candidate went to the state Police Command Headquarters at Alagbaka, Akure to lodge complaint to the state Police Commissioner, Bolaji Salami. But till date, no one has been arrested in connection with the shootings despite the fact that Jegede described the attack as an assassination attempt on his life.
It would have been a harvest of casualties but for the fact that Jegede and his followers were in the palace of the traditional ruler of the community when the hoodlums struck.
Governor Akeredolu on his part, expressed regret over the incident and described the violence as unfortunate, considering the prevailing peace that his administration has maintained in the state.
He recalled that on his way to Ikare-Akoko in continuation of his campaign, he saw some members of the PDP by the road sides who waved at him and he waved back as their Governor, wondering what could have led to the violence which was brought to his notice while leaving the palace of Owa Ale of Ikare.
While calling on the PDP and its candidate, Eyitayo Jegede SAN to rein in their supporters, as he would do to those of the APC, the Governor said his campaign organization believes in peace and would not negotiate that on the altar of politics or political aspiration, saying the lives of the people of the state are more important than his election.
He urged the police to ensure that the campaign itinerary of the various political parties are properly aligned henceforth so that different political parties do not campaign on the same corridor at the same time
He tasked the police to investigate the incident and prosecute any culprit arrested, to serve as deterrent to those who may want to cause trouble before, during and after the Governorship election in the state.
Independent
