The Alliance for Democracy(AD) in Ondo State has urged the President Muhammadu Buhari not to be cajoled by the antics of the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko over the mayhem that occurred on Friday on the choice of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the State.
According to a Press Statement by the State Secretary of the AD in the State, Dr Sola Agboola, on Saturday, instead, the Governor should be held accountable for the organised mayhem which he regretted, "has even continued since Saturday morning.
The AD alleged that PDP thugs and street urchins hired to carry out the acts of brigandage have been blocking roads in Akure, the State capital to sustain the " lies
concocted by Mimiko to the President that the State was on fire owing
to the list pasted by the Independent national Electoral Commission
(INEC)".
The AD while describing the situation as an irony and a sad pointer that Olusegun Mimiko who got into office via the instrumentality of the court could surreptitiously resort to violence even while before an appellate court to redress the matter, said that it amounted to deceit to resort to violence to seek justice.
While describing AD as a peaceful party committed to the peace and
tranquillity in the State, the Secretary wondered why Dr Mimiko should attempt to impose the wish of a tiny members of his party over those of the majority who are contented with the court and INEC's verdicts.
"In order to make his subterfuge work, the embattled Governor threatened the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo with deposition if he fails to incite the market men and women and force close the Main market in order to make his ploy seem real.
"At the same time, hired thugs from outside of the State in cahoots with the some members of the drivers' union, whose State Chairman is the Governor's kinsman from Ondo, caused mayhem in order to whip sentiments for his minion, who regrettably is a lawyer.
"We are calling on the law enforcement agencies to call Governor Mimiko and his protégé, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to order and hold them responsible for any infraction and breakdown of law and order. They are the authors of this organised mayhem.
"The AD as a peaceful party abhors violence and destruction of public properties and we view with seriousness this shameful act of brigandage to force the hands of the law to do your wish by fire by force as Mr Mimiko is doing. The present mayhem is an organised one being perpetrated by the Ondo State Government and not that of the reaction of the people. Besides, that it came a day after the said incident happened and far into the midmorning when workers, market men and women, school children have gone to their respective offices and schools speaks volumes," Agboola stated.
