Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has raised the alarm over the persistent methods of removal of his campaign posters and political party signs, which he blamed on the agents of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He
claimed that the practice, which has been on since campaign for the 2019
gubernatorial election started, obviously confirmed APC’s ill-motive
and desperation to ensure that there is no level playing field.
In
an interaction with The Guardian, Agbaje said PDP has on several
occasions been the victim at the barbaric hands of miscreants, who have
vandalized no fewer than 3,000 billboards and campaign materials in
prime areas such as the Third Mainland Bridge; and have also enjoyed
continued support from members of the ruling APC.
According to
him: “The support received in the execution of these unlawful acts from
the APC is evidenced by the surreptitious release of culprits, without
sanction, including officials within the Lagos State Signage and
Advertisement Agency (LASAA), apprehended recently in relation to the
crimes.
“This has led to an increase in the unlawful activities,
which have now been reported to be prevalent in over 35 constituencies
across the state. “Is this how the APC intends to conduct elections – by
stifling the opposition?”
The PDP candidate expressed
displeasure that despite the best efforts of the Lagos State police
commissioner towards thwarting these illegal activities “members of APC
have devised other surreptitious strategies all in an attempt to silence
and emasculate any opposition to their ‘anointed’ candidate for the
position of governor.
The continued use of state apparatus and
resources to fund the political campaign and that of their candidate,
Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the excessive use of federal might in a local
election are few out of the many instances of the ruling party’s
arbitrary exercise of state power.”
Agbaje affirmed that neither
his party nor the electorate could be cowed by the antics of the ruling
party, which campaign materials are currently everywhere as if there are
no other contestants. He said, “In a true democracy, one of the core
tenets is the existence of a level playing field for every party without
fear or favour.
Every citizen should be afforded the opportunity
to consider the alternatives and not to be forced into making a
decision. The acts by the ruling party are akin to a dictatorship aimed
at oppressing the law-abiding members of the PDP who do not possess the
political might and or the financial exuberance of APC.”
He,
therefore, urged the electorate to stand against any form of tyranny as
the election approaches, saying this is the best time to deliver the
state from the shackles of bondage and ensure freedom to its people who
have been held down under the whims and caprices of select individuals
who have monopolized its resources and accumulated public funds for
their private benefit.
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