Politics
Ondo 2020: We’ll Not Tolerate Any Attempt By APC To Repeat 1983 Crisis – CNPP
The Ondo State chapter of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, has said it would resist every attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC to plunge the state into violence that may lead to a repeat of the 1983 political crisis.
CNPP made its position known at a press briefing on the state of security in the state ahead of the October 10, governorship election in the state.
Present at the briefing were representatives of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, Social Democratic Party, SDP, African Democratic Congress, ADC, African Action Congress, among other parties.
The CNPP alleged that in the past few weeks, there had been increased violence, intimidation and subterfuge by the APC led government in the state, which it said manifested in the recent local government election held across the 18 local government areas of the state.
The Chairman CNPP, Rotimi Boboye said: “candidates of participating parties were intimidated, harassed and violently assaulted, while voters were disenfranchised and figures concocted to meet the pre-planned agenda of the APC.”
Boboye added that such violence has taken new dimensions with meetings of political parties being invaded by “known thugs/members of the APC, their cronies and agents.”
CNPP maintained that the violence which greeted the election and the alleged threat by a pioneer APC chairman in the state, Isaac Kekemeke to recruit political thugs for the governorship poll, confirms that the APC is not ready for a free, fair and credible poll.
“We as students of history know that our state was allowed to haemorrhage in 1983 and some of its finest citizens were killed in politically-induced violence. We are not ready and will not be tolerant of any attempt to repeat such needless and unconscionable violence in the name of politics.”
CNPP, however, appealed to the Directorate of State Services, DSS, the Inspector General of Police and service chiefs to take immediate steps to discourage the legitimisation of violence and the destruction of the nation’s fledgling democracy.
The group emphasized that it expects nothing but professionalism and demonstrable fairness from the police and indeed all the security agencies involved in the forthcoming polls as it urged them to display neutrality and fairness to all.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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