Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Social Democratic Party, SDP, contesting the seats of Akure South Constituencies I and II into the Ondo State House of Assembly, have cried out over the alleged plan by the state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to use members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW to cause mayhem during the Saturday’s election.
The candidates, who came together under the auspices of Coalition of House of Assembly Candidates, accused Akeredolu of wanting to ensure that the candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, emerge at all cost at the polls.
The coalition, which comprises candidates of the opposition political parties of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the Social Democratic Party, SDP within Akure South state constituency made the demand on Tuesday at a Press Conference held in Akure, the Ondo state capital as they urged security agencies to declare Ondo State a “Red Spot” ahead of the Saturday’s House of Assembly elections.
Speaking on behalf of the candidates, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the candidate of the SDP contesting to represents Akure South Constituency I at the State House of Assembly, said that the coalition have uncovered a “grand plot” by the APC to cause violence and as well manipulate the Saturday’s House of Assembly election.
Adeniyan alleged that the ruling APC had perfected the plans to rig the state assembly election by contracting the members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW.
The SDP candidate, who further admonished residents particularly, civil servants to be wary of vote buying at the polls, maintained that governor would recoup the money back by every means, which he said would tell on the economy of the state.
“We wish to bring to your notice the clandestine plots by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to cause mayhem in the House of Assembly elections on behalf of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This plot was hatched as a result of the poor performance of the APC in the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly election in Ondo State, particularly in the central senatorial district where the party did not win any seat.
“The coming House of Assembly election has, therefore, being tagged a must win for the party, using all means necessary.
“It is on this note that we are calling on all the security agencies to declare Ondo State a flashpoint and red spot in the build up to the House of Assembly election coming on Saturday in the state.”
“The APC government also plans to influence a reduction in the presence of security officers in polling units where the attacks would be carried out.
“We should all take note that the factors that precipitated the 1983 election crisis in Ondo State, especially in Akure, are at play here again.
“It should be noted that the citizens would be prepared to defend themselves against their Governor and his thugs. The people of Ondo State must be allowed to make their choice freely on March 9 without intimidation and violence.
“The desperation of Governor Akeredolu and APC to gain the control of the state by declaring war on the people would be resisted by our members as this State belongs to all of us” the SDP candidate said.
Also Speaking, Lade Fasua, Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP contesting to represent Akure South Constituency II, said that the opposition candidates are ready to resist any attempt by Governor Akeredolu and ruling APC to manipulate the House of Assembly election on Saturday.
“We shall encourage our followers, members of our parties and the people to defend themselves and their votes on March 9.
“To forestall breakdown of law and order before, during and after the election, we therefore call on all the security agencies in the state, critical stakeholders to call the Governor to order and do everything possible to protect the people of Ondo State and their votes on March 9.
“The 1983 political violence and its aftermath still linger on; Governor Akeredolu should not set the state on fire because of his desperation,” Fasua said.
