Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure and Seye Ojo, Ibadan
Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has condemned the pockets of violence that characterised Saturday’s elections, which led to the death of a member of the House of Representatives, Temitope Olatoye and others.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Bolaji Tunji, yesterday, the governor said he was saddened by the turn of events, which he said was anti-thetical to the pervading peace in the state.
He said the desperation and do-or-die that attended the election was uncalled for, since the candidates in the governorship and Assembly elections were in the race to serve the people and not themselves.
The governor commisserated with the families of Olatoye and others and assured the citizens that the perpetrators will be brought to justice, irrespective of their political affiliation and status.
Ajimobi said: “I’m greatly saddened by the pockets of violence that attended yesterday’s (Saturday) election, although the circumstances surrounding the violence and loss of lives are still hazy. It is heartrending that Olatoye and others had to die because of election.
“Nobody’s ambition should be worth the blood or life of any citizen. I’m, therefore, appalled that some unscrupulous politicians and their followers have turned this contest into a do-or-die affair, which is alien to democratic norms in saner climes.
“We struggled hard for this democracy, and for it to be entrenched, we must eschew every act of bitterness, desperation and foul play during elections. In life, you win some contests and you lose some. If we imbibe this philosophy, we will take every victory and defeat with equal measure of equanimity.
“I’ve been in regular touch with all the security agencies since yesterday, and they have assured me that the situation had been brought under control. May I seize this opportunity to implore them to redouble their efforts and ensure the safety of life and property.”
The governor enjoined citizens of the state to be law-abiding and to go about their lawful activities without fear of molestation. He warned those spreading rumours of renewed violence within the city to desist from such unpatriotic act.
In a related development, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, yesterday, visited the scenes of political violence in Oba-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of the state, where two persons died.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Shina Olukolu, described as false, stories on social media that some notable people were either shot or killed in Ibadan, yesterday.