Sam Philip
Peoples Democratic Party, Ondo State Chapter raised the alarm over the ceaseless killings of innocent residents in the State and the alleged government’s clear inaction to halt the ugly trend.
A statement signed by Leye Igbabo, Director of Media And Publicity, PDP Ondo State, reads: “As at the last count, over fifty persons were said to have been murdered in cold blood across various farm settlements in the State without any slightest provocation, some of whom, in subsequent protests, were lifelessly displayed in front of the Governor’s office at Alagbaka, Akure.
“About the same time, some people were kidnapped in front of their houses, while a businessman was assassinated within his business premises in Akure, the State Capital. We regret to note that the governor has not hitherto taken any concrete steps to improve the security situation other than politicizing our genuine security concerns.
“An APC ward chairman was again kidnapped about three days ago, with the kidnappers demanding a ransom of N10m. Worst still, his family members and friends who gathered about N5m and took it to the kidnappers, had again been seized by the same kidnappers who have subsequently raised the ransom to N30m to cover the release of those that have now been captured! This must certainly worry men and women of good conscience.
“It is now crystal clear that our constant demand for an improved security situation is not to serve the interest of the PDP or its members but rather to ensure that the security of lives and property of the entire citizens remains the top priority of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration.
“The seizure of an APC chieftain has indeed shown that APC members are not, after all, immune to being kidnapped and thus the need to rise above primordial political sentiments that offer no hope and speak with one loud voice against the lackadaisical attitude of the present administration under the watch of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
“We recalled that the immediate past Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of blessed memory was vocal, vehement and valiant in protecting the lives and property of all citizens and residents of the State and at some point, dared the Federal Government’s opposition to his hard stance on security, leading ultimately, to the creation of the Southwest Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps.
“The late governor held dear to his heart, the prompt payment of salaries and allowances, and the general welfare of these security operatives, such that the operatives were motivated to bring out their best in tackling security challenges in the State.
“Today, it is regrettable to note that the once productive, preemptive and proactive Amotekun Corps has abandoned the very core objectives for which they were created, to pursue extraneous, trivial and frivolous cases of settling disputes between husbands and wives as well as serving as bouncers in social events just to keep their body and souls together while an individual continues to enjoy over N1.2b monthly security allocation just because he holds the all-powerful Office of a Governor.
“Our Party invites the public to note that a once peaceful Ondo State is fast becoming an abattoir for the butchering of harmless and unarmed residents under the watch of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and unless concrete steps are taken to halt this horrible scenario, the consequences will be monumental such as is rare in the political history of our dear State.
“We do not only demand genuine and concrete actions from the Governor but also request him to furnish the people of Ondo state with such actions that are being taken to rescue them from untimely and avoidable deaths.”
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