Some opposition parties in Oyo state, the Action Democratic Party (ADP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have united to fight what they term oppression of opposing parties by the ruling APC in the state.
The parties through their campaign Directors General under the aegis of the Forum of Directors’ General of various opposition political parties in Oyo have united to condemn the continuous attacks on opposition parties within the state, describing it as worrisome and undemocratic.
According to a press statement, the members of forum are Lawal A. Bashiru of ADC, Chief Abioye Oke of SDP, Chief Wale Ohu of ADP, Hon. Waheed Akanbi of ZLP, Hon. Bayo Lawal of PDP and Barr. Ademola Adeniji of AD.
The forum said, “Recent happenings in the political firmament of our own Oyo state necessitate the coming together of the various Directors General of the campaign organization of candidates of various opposition political parties participating in the forthcoming general elections in Oyo state.
“We want to also use this forum to alert the good people of Oyo state that INEC in Oyo state and its principal staff should be held responsible for any form of manipulation, disenfranchisement and or rigging that is on the agenda in the state.”
They said there are allegations of fake Supervising Presiding Officers and Collation officers on the list of the state’s electoral body, adding that this is putting the credibility of INEC to conduct free and fair credible election in the state in doubt, asking the electoral body to prove them wrong.
The forum also condemned the use of thugs and miscreants recruited to cause mayhem and confusion in Oyo state, adding that the security of Oyo state is being put on line at the rate at which mayhem is being unleashed on the citizenry.
“The decision of various opposition political parties to come together is to ensure that a free, credible and acceptable political process is put in place and ensure that we all have a voice and make the votes of the masses count. As at the last count billboards and campaign posters belonging to various Political parties, carrying the message of hope to the good people of Oyo state have been destroyed with reckless abandon. As stakeholders in the Oyo state project, we have decided to rise up to the occasion and put a final stop to the menacing attitude of those who think Agodi Government House is their birth right,” the forum stated.
