The Akure South Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has leveled accusations against the All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly attacking its members during a ward meeting held in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.
Sunday Ogedengbe, Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee in the local government, reported that a group of approximately 13 thugs stormed the meeting venue at Odopetu ward, chanting the campaign slogan of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Ogedengbe emphasized that this alarming incident poses a significant threat to the upcoming governorship election scheduled for November 16 in the state.
He called on Aiyedatiwa to rein in his supporters, recounting that the assailants disrupted the peaceful assembly while shouting the APC governorship candidate’s slogan, “Odatiwa, Odirorun.”
“This incident is not only unfortunate but also unacceptable, especially for a party that claims widespread support among the electorate,” Ogedengbe stated, asserting that any further attempts by APC supporters to intimidate PDP members would be met with resistance.
He described the actions of the attackers as “pathetic and despicable,” warning that such behavior jeopardizes the peaceful and credible execution of free and fair elections in the state.
In response, Steve Otaloro, the Director of Media and Publicity for the APC in Ondo State, dismissed the allegations as unfounded. He urged the opposition to concentrate on issue-based campaigning and reiterated that the ruling party would never engage in such violent tactics.
Otaloro stressed the APC’s commitment to conducting peaceful and credible elections, suggesting that the PDP should wait for the police to complete their investigation, which was initiated by them. “It’s vital to focus on facts rather than jumping to conclusions based on speculation and political maneuvering,” he concluded.
