Osun PDP chieftain, Adekunle alleges plot to disrupt LG polls

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Dr. Akindele Adekunle, a former Caretaker Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, has expressed concern about a purported plot to use criminals posing as police personnel to sabotage Saturday’s local government election.

Akindele said in a statement released on Thursday that top All Progressives Congress (APC) officials were housing people recruited from other states and that they would utilize a tactical police team to carry out acts of violence.

The statement said, “Credible intelligence at our disposal points to the fact that hoodlums brought into Osun State are being clothed in police uniform to perpetrate violence on the people in a bid to stop the local government election billed for Saturday.”

He further said that Iragbiji, Ikire, Osogbo, Ila-Orangun, Iwo, Ilesa, and Ile-Ife were among the major towns where those people were being housed.

He claimed that the intention was to make PDP leaders and election officials fearful.

Akindele further charged the police with complicity, implying that the tactical group sent from Abuja was in Osun to cover political violence rather than maintain calm.

“It is quite disturbing to note that the police are aiding this brazen threat to peace and safety,” he stated.

Party leaders’ identities had been prepared for arbitrary arrests or even assassinations, the PDP leader warned.

Additionally, he exhorted people to come out and use their fundamental rights in spite of intimidation.

In response, the APC branch in Osun State rejected Akindele’s claims as politically driven and without merit.

Kola Olabisi, the party’s director of media and information, demanded that Akindele be arrested for what it called fear-mongering and unfounded charges.

“The Ondo-State-born political alarmist is afraid of his own shadow. The said Saturday election is an impossible utopia based on its illegality.

“Akindele should be a resourceful witness for police investigation and prosecution regarding his unsubstantiated claims,” he said.

The APC insisted that since a recent Court of Appeal decision had already declared the local government election to be void, there was no need for violence.

The party maintained that any attempt at an election would be an anomaly and impossible as there were no openings in local government bodies.

“A situation where all manner of political functionaries are issuing press statements is a pointer to the fact that Governor Adeleke’s government is a monumental failure,” Olabisi remarked.

Concerns regarding rumors that the government had developed a list of APC social media activists for possible prosecution were also voiced by the party.

“We are watching and cautioning Governor Adeleke that nothing untoward should happen to our diligent social media men,” the APC warned.

Security services have failed to formally address the accusations as tensions increase.

The presence of Abuja-based tactical troops has not been acknowledged or denied by the Osun State Police Command.

Residents are still on edge as they await more information from officials regarding the security measures being taken to ensure a peaceful election, which is set for this Saturday (tomorrow).

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