The Oyo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has on Monday described the Saturday’s attack on some chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the party’s secretariat by some suspected thugs as not only unfortunate but barbaric, archaic and demeaning.
According to a statement made available to the press, the state capital by its Publicity Secretary, Engineer Akeem Olatunji while condemning the Saturday’s attack declared that PDP is waiting for Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the state to fabricate tales of lies to justify the reigns of terror attacks on APC party members opposed to what it termed as “his draconian rules” within the party.
Recall that Insideoyo.com had earlier reported that some APC stalwarts including Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, Hon. Dapo Lam Adesina and others were allegedly attacked at the party’s secretariat located at Oke Ado area of Ibadan before the commencement of the party’s ward congress which was later postponed to Sunday (yesterday).
Olatunji in the statement said “Disruption of Saturday’s APC ward Congress in Oyo State by political thugs allegedly loyal to Governor Abiola Ajimobi is barbaric, archaic, demeaning and a disgrace to the pacesetters State.
“The invasion of thugs to attack Barrister Bayo Shittu, a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, and nine of the serving House of Representatives members including Hon. Lam Adesina, son of the former Governor late Alhaji Lam Adesina who single handedly made Senator Ajimobi a governor. What a bizarre way to compensate the son of a benefactor.
“Saturday show of shame by Ajimobi faction of APC is the highest level of desperation in anybody’s quest to hold on to political structure despite massive rejection by the party faithfuls.
“PDP is waiting anxiously for the Governor Abiola Ajimobi to fabricate tales of lies to justify the reigns of terror attacks on APC party members opposed to the his draconian rules within the party as his faction are used to coercion to suppress the wills of other factions of APC in Oyo State.
“This is a lesson for Senator Ajimobi to start learning the tenets of democracy unlike the good foundation laid by former Governor Lam Adesina of which to the dismay of lovers of democracy he has destroyed the legacy through greed and high-handedness.
Olatunji while calling on stakeholders to beam their searchlight on Oyo, alleged that about 100 members of the party are currently receiving treatments at various locations due to injuries they sustained from the attack.
He said “About 100 APC members and innocent passersby are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals in Ibadan following the fracas thereby endangering lives of Oyo State citizens which had thrown Oyo State to the stone age when the most of the current friends of the governor who are now APC members held sway in PDP.
“God be the glory, the politicians who used to orchestrate violence in Oyo State PDP are now APC members in Governor Ajimobi faction of the party. They are allegedly fingered and accused of undermining the peace and tranquility of the State.
“The Oyo State PDP is hereby calling on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector General of Police, the International Criminal Court, the United Nations and other world bodies to urgently pay attention to the happenings in Oyo State before it snowball into political killings and assassination of political opponents most especially that the APC factions opposing the Governor are not safe talkless of PDP members who are the main opposition party in the State.
“Just on Sunday night, over 200 Operation Burst security outfits comprising soldiers and policemen were drafted to guard APC party secretariat at Oke Ado while violence rages on in some parts of Ibadan like Oopo Yeosa, Ita-Safu, Ita-Moya Abebi and environs where several lives were lost without police presence.
“Unfortunately, Ajimobi APC faction has cripple the state in an attempt to hijack ordinary party’s structure at the Ward level knowing fully well that he has turned the once flourishing and vibrant party to a dying party of no value.
“In preparation for 2019 elections, the Oyo State PDP now knows better, we assure they will meet stiff resistance from our members and the electorates if there’s any attempt to manipulate the wishes of the electorates.
“No amount of underhand means, intimidation, brigandage and crude display of wealth and even the thinking of the Gov Ajimobi APC faction to engage in vote buying will stop the people’s will to install a fresh hand in Oyo State.
“The Oyo State PDP is making it clear that the party is ready for Gov Ajimobi or any of his surrogates from his faction, PDP campaign is based on transparent, free and fair elections because we have the suffering people of the state who have experienced good governance under the then PDP government of Senator Rashidi Ladoja on our side
“One must commend the gallantry of the the APC faction led by Honorable Minister of Communication, Bar Bayo Shittu, for their reaction to the attempt to compromise their internal process.
“It must have been crystal clear to Ajimobi that his failure to pocket his once obedient party members signal that people only tolerated his excesses pending this time that his days are numbered and the electorates are eagerly awaiting his exit with funfair and a loud celebrations reminiscent of General Idi Amin of Uganda inglorious days in power”
