Governorship aspirants under the umbrella of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo State have raised concerns over escalating political violence in the state, as the party prepares for its upcoming primary elections next month. The aspirants, numbering over 20, have expressed alarm over the recent surge in violent incidents targeting supporters and campaign materials.
According to reports, the visit of President Bola Tinubu to the state served as a catalyst for heightened tensions, with supporters of various gubernatorial hopefuls falling victim to orchestrated attacks by alleged political thugs. Instances of vandalism, including the defacing and pulling down of billboards belonging to aspirants, have further exacerbated the volatile situation.
Former Finance Commissioner and spokesperson for the aspirants, Wale Akinterinwa, condemned the acts of violence, attributing them to thugs allegedly sponsored by individuals within the government. Akinterinwa highlighted the brazen nature of the attacks, which resulted in injuries to party members perceived to be aligned with rival aspirants.
In a statement issued by Akinterinwa’s spokesperson, Segun Ajiboye, the aspirants lamented the targeted nature of the violence, noting that supporters of all gubernatorial contenders, except Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa, were subjected to assault and intimidation. Ajiboye underscored the need for accountability and urged law enforcement agencies to apprehend those responsible for the attacks.
The aspirants emphasized their commitment to peaceful democratic processes and called upon President Buhari and the national APC leadership to intervene and ensure a conducive atmosphere for free and fair primaries. They urged the governor to desist from using thugs to advance his political agenda and urged security agencies to remain vigilant and apprehend the perpetrators of violence.
In response to the allegations, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, reiterated the governor’s commitment to maintaining peace and tranquility in the state. Adeniyan affirmed the governor’s directive to security agencies to arrest and prosecute those involved in violent activities, emphasizing the administration’s zero-tolerance stance towards any form of violence.
Adeniyan called for issue-based campaigns and urged politicians and their supporters to refrain from engaging in acts of intimidation and spreading falsehoods. He emphasized the importance of upholding the principles of democracy and fostering an environment conducive to healthy political competition.