The Ondo State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) on Wednesday described the burning of the Akure South Local Government Secretariat on Tuesday as a deliberate arson perpetrated by the Olusegun Agagu led Government in its bid to stepping up a large scale violence with a view to getting the Federal Government to declare a State of Emergency in Ondo State.
Similarly, the LP in a letter signed by its State Chairman, Dr Olaiya Oni on Tuesday to the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Charles Dawodu and the Director of the State Security Services ( SSS ), Mr. Boma Spero-Jack revealed that plans were on by the Agagu government to perpetrate a similar arson in the Ondo East and Ondo West Local government Secretariats as from today (Wednesday). Both councils are in the domain of Dr Olusegun Mimiko, the LP flag bearer who was on July 25, 2008 declared as the duly elected Governor of Ondo State by the Justice Garba Nabaruma led Election Petitions Tribunal which subsequently nullified the purported victory.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content1'); });
Dr Oni, a former Education Minister in his letter to the security agencies noted with dismay, the perpetual distancing of themselves by leaders of the State Peoples Denocratic Party (PDP) to several meetings called at their instances while the LP leaders have always expressed their commitment to peace
Says Oni: You will recall that at a meeting held in your office on Tuesday February 3rd, 2009, a meeting which was expected to have been attended by LP and PDP, you informed us that ‘there are ominous signs similar to the political violent that erupted in 1983 as a result of the Gubernatorial Election is now being seriously anticipated as a result of the impending judgment of the Gubernatorial Election Petition at the Court of Appeal in Benin’. This violence has started with the burning of the Akure North Local Government Headquarters at Iju-Itaogbolu today and we have also been alerted that a similar arson attacks awaits the Local Government Secretariats of Ondo East and Ondo West tomorrow.
“You will recall also that you expressed dismay that PDP failed to attend that meeting at which the LP leadership re-emphasized to you that since we entered the Gubernatorial Contest in 2006, no violence has emanated from the LP, rather, the LP had stood on the side of peace and constructive engagement. We were delighted you agreed to this disposition of our Party which you in fact commended.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content2'); });
“We want to remind you also that a similar meeting called in anticipation of Justice Nabaruma-led judgment, the PDP did not attend. The signs of political violence are getting more and more crystallized. We are therefore urging you to take all necessary steps to curtail this emerging scenario in the interest of peace and security in Ondo state.”
It will be recalled that the LP has last weekend raised an alarm over plans by the PDP to unleash mayhem in the State with the importation of hired killers and arms and ammunitions into the State.
Indeed, the Party had alerted that the State Governor, Dr Olusegun Agagu had at a caucus meeting of the PDP held inside the Government House on Saturday incited his lieutenants to go on rampage if they hoped for a favourable verdict at the Appeal Court . Guns, according to LP were later shared out to the thugs who had been placed on standby.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('comments'); });