Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has condemned the pockets of violence that characterized Saturday’s election, which led to the death of a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Temitope Olatoye, and others, as highly depressing and regrettable.
This is as Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, Seyi
Makinde, has maintained lead in the election.
In a statement by his
Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, on Sunday,
the governor said he was saddened by the turn of events, which he said
was antithetical to the pervading peace in the state.
He said
that the desperation and do-or-die that attended the election was
uncalled for since the candidates in the governorship and Assembly
election were in the race to serve the people and not themselves.
Commiserating
with the families of Olatoye and others who reportedly lost their lives
in the election, the governor assured the citizens that the
perpetrators would be brought to justice irrespective of their political
affiliation and status.
The governor warned that the state
government would not allow any individual or group to truncate the
had-fought peace and security that the state had enjoyed in the last
eight years.
Ajimobi said, “I’m greatly saddened by the pockets
of violence that attended yesterday’s (Saturday) election; although the
circumstances surrounding the violence and loss of lives are still hazy.
It is heartrending that Hon Olatoye and others had to die because of
election.
“Nobody’s ambition should be worth the blood or life of
any citizen. I’m, therefore, appalled that some unscrupulous
politicians and their followers have turned this contest into a
do-or-die affair, which is alien to democratic norms in saner climes.
“We
struggled hard for this democracy, and for it to be entrenched we must
eschew every act of bitterness, desperation and foul play during
elections. In life, you win some contests and you lose some. If we
imbibe this philosophy, we will take every victory and defeat with equal
measure of equanimity.
“I have been in regular touch with all
the security agencies since yesterday and they have assured me that the
situation had been brought under control. May I use this opportunity to
implore them to redouble their efforts and ensure the safety of lives
and property going forward.”
The governor condoled with the
families of Olatoye and others that lost their lives to Saturday’s
skirmishes and prayed for the repose of their soul.
Ajimobi
enjoined citizens of the state to be law abiding and to go about their
lawful activities without fear of molestation, warning those spreading
rumours of renewed violence within the city to desist from such
unpatriotic act.
Source:- Independent
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