In a bid to maintain peace and stability in Ondo State amidst escalating tensions, the Network of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria has called for a return to civility in the upcoming November 16, 2024, gubernatorial election.
The organization expressed deep concerns over the alleged resurgence of “garage politics” and thuggery, particularly within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.
Recall, the sudden and tragic passing of former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu led to the constitutional ascension of his Deputy, Lucky Ayedatiwa, as the new governor of the state.
According to the group the transition has been marred by increasing political unrest, with allegations of violence and intimidation surfacing.
National Coordinator of the CSO, Comrade Victor Kalu, who was speaking during a press conference on Friday, in Abuja, said, “the once peaceful political landscape of Ondo State is under threat due to the reemergence of thuggery and the governor’s perceived indifference towards addressing these issues.”
He said, “It is his right to contest but let it be civil, let the state remain peaceful. We are surprised that such activities (thuggery) are surfacing now in the state. So it is a concern to us and if these things are not being checkmated they pose a very serious threat to the coming election.”
“We are calling on security agencies to investigate his supporters causing mayhem, the Lucky boys should be arrested and he should not because of his interest of ruling the state which he has served as Deputy Governor now put the state on fire. That is our position and we are also calling on the leadership of the party to call the governor to order. He should not allow the state to spoil in his hands.
“We are worried about the governor’s cold attitude towards arresting the gradual return of insecurity in the state within this few month he took over as the governor of the state following the death of his master the former governor.
“Also, the governor’s display of intolerance to opposing views and insistence on having his way in the party and in the state ahead of the APC primary election in particular and the governorship election in the state, is putting the state’s politics on a dangerous trajectory.
“We therefore call on the various security agents to thoroughly investigate and bring to book the person or group of persons in charge of recruiting, training and deployment of thugs to all the nook and crannies of the state at this critical time the parties are planning their primaries to elect their flag bearer ahead of the November Governorship election.
“This is a developing story that needs to be closely monitored. If not checked, garage politics could return to the state, causing untold damage to the state’s development and progress as citizens are calling for more decisive action to ensure the state’s peace and stabilitystability. “
‘The National Leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abuja needs to call the Governor to order following the recent fights in the party as he has been severally accused by his party members of being behind the political and recent security challenges/thuggery activities in the state,” he said.
