Following its disruptive protest in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Tuesday, over the outcome of Saturday’s election that returned the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun as the winner, the Ogun State chapter of the Labour Party(LP) has slammed the State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu.
The reaction was made by the State Chairman of the party, Michael Ashade via a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta.
The party advised the PDP and Adebutu against taking law into its hands by resorting to actions capable of heating the polity because he was dissatisfied with the election outcome.
Ashade added that the Tuesday invasion of the INEC office by Adebutu and his supporters was a bad step, which must be condemned by every well-meaning Nigerian.
The statement reads, “it took the professional intervention of the law enforcement agency to prevent what could have led to serious mayhem, as they had to shoot into the air to safeguard the INEC office from being vandalized by the rented protesters.
“We have read in the papers how some hoodlums invaded INEC offices in some states and set it on fire. Also recently, the Abeokuta South office of INEC was attacked by arsonists, the action of Adebutu and his supporters if not condemned may degenerate into an alarming situation”.
“As a law-abiding party, we call on the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Mr Frank Mba and other security agencies to ensure that they forestall all intentions of PDP to return the State to the dark period as Ogun State is known to be a peaceful State”.
“Apart from going on the streets or invading INEC office, PDP should have a thread a more humane step of approaching the court, if truly they were short-changed”
“Though we knew how Adebutu bought voters on the election day with credit cards and other incentives, he should know that Ogun State residents are intelligent and cannot trade their future with any morsel of porridge, and in spite of his so many dubious ways of getting to power at all cost, and the rejection that followed, it’s amazing that such a corrupt individual is still complaining of been short-changed”.
“LP implore Adebutu and his co-travellers as an obligatory duty to go to the election tribunal establish to the supremacy of law and to teach our younger generation the value of resolving disputes through legal means, rather than violence”.
“The polity is already very tense, and we call on law enforcement agencies to call Adebutu and his supporters to order so that we can continue to enjoy the peace the State is known for”.
“Adebutu should take a more refine way of settling the matter by approaching the tribunal and allowing the entire litigation process to run its course”.
“Fortunately, that is the only step in seeking legitimacy rather than street protests”.
