Politics
THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun has condemned what it described as a growing culture of intimidation, harassment, brigandage and violence ahead of the Aug. 15 governorship election in the state.
The Director-General of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, Mr Oluwole Oke, said this while addressing a news conference on Wednesday in Osogbo.
Oke stated that the intimidation of the party’s supporters by criminal elements perpetrating violence must stop.
He condemned the attack by suspected political thugs on APC campaign buses in the Owode-Ede area of the state on Tuesday.
Oke added that several APC supporters were injured during the attack, noting that campaign materials were also destroyed.
He said acts of violence have no place in a democratic society and should be a source of concern to every well-meaning citizen of the state.
Oke appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other relevant security agencies to urgently stem the rising tide of political violence in the state.
“We state unequivocally that no political office is worth the blood of any citizen,” he said.
He said the people of the state deserve peace, security and a level playing field as preparations intensify for the governorship election.
Oke stated that the APC remained committed to lawful political engagement and would continue to mobilise support peacefully across communities, despite what he described as provocations and intimidation by violent elements.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were sporadic shootings in Ife and Owo-Ede areas of the state on Tuesday, during which some passers-by were injured by stray bullets
The Police Public Relations Officer in Osun, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the command had received reports of the incidents.
Ojelabi said that investigations were ongoing and that the perpetrators had not been linked to any political party.
He added that the police were gathering intelligence to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attacks and bring those responsible to justice.
(NAN)
Tags: APC violence