Major opposition political parties in Oyo State on Monday declared that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is jittery of imminent defeat it will suffer in the elections billed to take place on Saturday 16th February and Saturday 2nd March 2019 in all the 33 local government areas in the state.
The political parties, among whom are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Alliance for Democracy (AD) said recent events have shown the APC to be jittery of the imminent loss staring it in the face.
The opposition parties, in a statement issued under the platform of forum of director’s general of campaign organisations of various opposition political parties in Oyo state, a copy of which was made available to DAILY POST, alleged that series of attacks on opposition parties being perpetrated by agents of the state government in power are becoming worrisome and can no longer be tolerated.
The opposition parties, in the statement signed by Chief Lawal Bashiru of ADC, Chief Abioye Oke of SDP, Chief Wale Ohu of ADP, Hon. Waheed Akanbi of ZLP, Hon. Bayo Lawal of PDP and Barrister Ademola Adeniji of AD, argued that “Recent happenings in the political firmament of our own Oyo state necessitates the coming together of the various Directors General of the campaign organization of candidates of various opposition political parties participating in the forthcoming General elections in Oyo state”.
They continued, “Today marks a very significant process in the history of our nascent democracy in Oyo state and Nigeria at large. This marks a new beginning in the determination of the Political future of our Dear Oyo state and the process of leaving a lasting democratic legacy for the future generation yet unborn.
“Recent happenings in the Political firmament of our own Oyo state necessitates the coming together of the various Directors General of the campaign organization of candidates of various opposition political parties participating in the forthcoming General elections in Oyo state.
“Our resolve to come together as one indivisible, united entity is premised on the determination and resolve of Opposition political parties in Oyo state to checkmate the Oppressive, Undemocratic and Public forsaken All Progressive Congress (A.P.C) and to liberate the people of Oyo state from the shackles of the oppressors who are hellbent on holding on to Power for their own selfish interest.
“The noticeable undemocratic ways of the All Progressives Congress under the supervision of an incumbent Governor who is hellbent on securing a 3rd term by proxy with the intention of further enslaving and impoverishing the enlightened and good natured people of Oyo state necessitated this great call for action.”
The opposition parties said that recent events have shown that the APC is actually jittery of imminent defeat in the elections.
They said, “Events in recent past has shown that the ruling party in Oyo state (All Progressives Congress) to be precise is jittery of the Imminent loss staring it in the face and as a face saving measure chosen to go for the jugular.
“The series of attacks on Opposition Political Parties being perpetrated by agents and privys of the Government in power is becoming worrisome and can no longer be tolerated. As at the last count Billboards and Campaign Posters belonging to various Political parties, carrying the message of hope to the good people of Oyo state have been destroyed with reckless abandon. The Peoples Democratic Party have been an Object of Vicious attack by the A.P.C and its hoodlums in recent times as series of coordinated attacks are launched on the Party and its members unabatedly.
“Just on Thursday 31st of January, 2019, at Ojoo area of Ibadan, another round of attack was launched on the campaign train of P.D.P by agents of the ruling A.P.C government who opened fire on the convoy of the P.D.P Gubernatorial Candidate leaving scores of supporters Including passersby seriously injured and five dead.
“The Campaign team of the African Democratic Congress was attacked by members of the A.P.C at Afijio Local government few days back. The recent attack on the House of Representatives candidate of the Zenith Labour Party at Sabo area of Ibadan speaks volume of the Intolerance of the now out of favor A. P. C in their bid to silence members of the opposition.
“That of the Action Democratic Party is not left behind as members of the party were attacked in Ogbomoso which is the home-town of a former governor during one of it’s campaign tour. These attacks continue unabatedly and cuts across the various Political Parties in the state. These series of attacks on Party Supporters, Properties and Campaign materials of members and campaign organizations of opposition political parties notwithstanding, we have been patient and matured in our dealings with these tyrants in Government who are hell-bent on holding on to power by all means even at the cost of setting Oyo state on fire by the APC has been unearthed.
“As stakeholders in the Oyo state project, we have decided to rise up to the occasion and put a final stop to the menacing attitude of the Pharaoh’s who think Agodi Government House is their birth right no matter whose Ox is gored. We members of the Opposition political parties have come to the conclusion that we have had enough of their excesses and tolerated these untoward, Barbaric and Ill-mannered approach towards the forthcoming 2019 general elections.
“The agenda of setting Oyo state on fire there-by disrupting the Electoral process has been unearthed. The desire to have a secluded election away from the general election due to the seemingly glaring failure at the polls staring the A.P.C in the face has been unraveled. No amount of chaos, gansterism and killings orchestrated by the government in power can shift the resolve of the people of Oyo state to vote out the A.P.C at the forthcoming polls. The catalogue of woes and war of attrition being waged on the citizens of Oyo state in the hands of the monster called A.P.C is to be put to check with immediate effect.
“We repeat in unison, no amount of intimidation, threat or harrrasment can change this narrative. We stand firm in our belief that the end has come for the tyrant in Power. Let the entire world be put on notice that Oyo state Government under the incumbent Governor Abiola Ajimobi is the brain behind the series of mayhem’s and attacks happening in and around Oyo state and it is centered towards creating an imploding impression which is part of the plans to rig the forthcoming election.”
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