The opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has voiced serious concerns regarding the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its apparent intention to disrupt the peace of Ondo State during the upcoming governorship election on Saturday.
The PDP claims that the APC has started deploying thugs to target its members in the state as the election approaches.
During a press conference, the PDP highlighted its worries about the significant number of paramilitary forces assigned to oversee the election, suggesting that such a move indicates an effort to intimidate opposition members before the vote. Eddy Olafeso, the chairman of the governorship campaign council, expressed that these actions pose a threat to the integrity of the electoral process.
Olafeso further elaborated on a disturbing incident that occurred on November 13, 2024, when a notorious APC thug, Oyewole Aderemi (also known as Gulder), allegedly led an attack on PDP supporters in Idanre Local Government, armed with guns and machetes.
This unprovoked assault resulted in seven individuals sustaining serious injuries, including Otunba Olowoniyi Akinlemimu, who remains hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit at the State Specialists Hospital in Akure. Others are also undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds.
Despite the severity of the situation, Olafeso noted that no arrests have been made, and the assailants were reportedly treated as VIPs during the APC’s Grand Finale rally, which was attended by the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and Vice President, Kashim Shettima.
The PDP called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure transparency regarding the transmission of election results, referencing concerns raised during the Edo State election.
In response, Ade Adetimehin, the APC Chairman in Ondo State, dismissed the PDP’s allegations as unfounded, asserting that the ruling party is focused solely on engaging with the electorate.
