As the November 16 Ondo State governorship election nears, a heated exchange has erupted between the state’s chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over allegations of a planned disruption of peace. The PDP has accused the APC and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of orchestrating violence to influence the upcoming election.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Ayo Fadaka, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the PDP Campaign Organisation, the party alleged that Governor Aiyedatiwa is using state resources to undermine security in Ondo. The PDP expressed concerns that the governor’s actions could compromise the peaceful atmosphere in the state and urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and restrain Aiyedatiwa.
The statement further called on national security leaders, including the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Security, and other heads of security agencies, to closely monitor the situation. The PDP warned that proactive measures were needed to prevent violence ahead of the election.
Fadaka said, “Due cognisance has been accorded to deft moves by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to compromise the peace and tranquillity of our dear state as we inch towards the November 16th gubernatorial election in Ondo State. Towards accomplishing these dastardly goals, some strategic steps have been taken, and we have decoded them.”
He continued, urging security agencies to take immediate action: “We call on the Inspector General of Police, Director General of Department of State Security, and Heads of other Security Agencies to take more interest in developments geared at causing security breaches in Ondo State as we move towards the election. A stitch in time, they say, saves nine.”
In response, the APC dismissed the allegations as false and baseless. Steve Otaloro, the APC’s Director of Media and Publicity in Ondo State, stated that the PDP’s claims were aimed at distracting the governor and spreading fear. According to Otaloro, Governor Aiyedatiwa remains fully committed to maintaining peace and security in the state.
“The governor’s commitment to peace and security in Ondo State is unwavering, and we reject any insinuation that he plans to cause a security breach,” Otaloro said. He emphasized that all security-related actions taken by the state government were legitimate efforts to improve safety, not disrupt it.
Otaloro also criticized the PDP for attempting to link the governor to violence, asserting that Aiyedatiwa’s leadership has been characterized by inclusivity, tolerance, and respect for all citizens of the state. He urged the PDP to focus on policy-driven campaigns instead of resorting to unproven accusations.
“We urge the PDP to focus on issue-based campaigning rather than resorting to unfounded allegations and scaremongering. The people of Ondo State deserve better. We assure the public that Governor Aiyedatiwa remains committed to delivering on his campaign promises and ensuring a peaceful and fair election on November 16th,” Otaloro concluded.
The escalating war of words between the two major parties comes as Ondo State gears up for a highly anticipated election that is expected to be hotly contested. Both the PDP and APC have intensified their campaigns in the lead-up to November, and security concerns are emerging as a central issue ahead of the polls.
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