The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun has condemned what it described as a growing culture of intimidation, harassment and violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
The Director-General of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, Mr. Oluwole Oke, warned at a press conference in Oaogbo that the intimidation of the party’s supporters by criminal elements in the state must stop.
He condemned the attack by suspected political thugs on APC campaign buses in the Owode-Ede area of the state on Tuesday.
Oke added that several APC supporters were injured during the attack while campaign materials were also destroyed.
He said violence has no place in a democratic society and should be a source of concern to every well-meaning citizen of the state.
Oke appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other relevant security agencies to urgently stem the rising tide of political violence in the state.
“We state unequivocally that no political office is worth the blood of any citizen,” the APC official stated.
He said the people of the state deserve peace, security and a level playing field as preparations intensify for the governorship election.
Oke stated that the APC remained committed to lawful political engagement and would continue to mobilise support peacefully across communities, despite provocations and intimidation by violent elements.
There were sporadic shootings in Ife and Owo-Ede areas of the state on Tuesday, during which some passers-by were injured by stray bullets
(Ripples)