The Oyo State All Progressives Congress has called on security agencies to caution opposition parties and their supporters against further unprovoked attack against its members and the wanton destruction of their campaign materials.
A statement by the spokesperson of the APC Campaign Organisation, Dr. AbdulAzeez Olatunde, said that the warning became necessary in view of the ceaseless attack of its supporters and the vandalism of vehicles on their campaign trail.
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 call on security agencies to warn the opposition parties and their thugs from further attacking our members and leaders. These unprovoked attacks will threaten our democracy.
“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.
