The National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) Chief Dan Nwuanyawu on Tuesday warned that Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state would be held responsible should any unfortunate thing happens to Hon. Rotimi Ajanaku, the ZLP House of Representatives candidate in Ibadan North West/ Ibadan South West Federal constituency in the February 16th elections.
Nwuanyanwu gave this warning while speaking at a mega rally of the party held in Mapo Hall, Ibadan, the state capital.
At the campaign rally were former Governor of the state, Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, gubernatorial candidate of the ZLP in the state, Barrister Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli and thousands of the party’s supporters both within and outside the state.
Nwuanyanwu who declared that everybody has a right to belong to the political party of his or her choice, however, alleged that the ZLP candidate has been receiving threats since he left the ruling APC.
The ZLP National Chairman, while speaking further warned Ajimobi and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Adamu Mohammed to respect the rights of the party’s candidates to seek people’s votes without any hindrances.
Nwanyanwu, who presented ZLP flags to the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Barrister Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli; the three senatorial candidates and all the 14 house of Representatives candidates, said nothing must happen to Ajanaku, “Whose entry into the race, has continued to send jitters down the spines of the ruling party and its candidate in the constituency”.
He solicited the votes of the electorate for Alli, whom he described as “a man with character”.
Nwuanyanwu said, “He is the best man for the job. Check if any of other candidates has the character of Alli, he is the finest of them all. Vote for him and he will work for you. Alli will restore lost glories in education, especially Oyo state rating in WAEC and develop LAUTECH”.
Nwuanyanwu said Alli, if elected governor, will implement the party’s manifestoes by industrialising the state, lift the masses from poverty circle, change the paradigm shift in governance and make artisans and traders enjoy revolving loans to grow their businesses to make the society better.
The ZLP national chairman while commending the appointment of the new IGP, urged him to call his Commissioners to order, and direct them to be fair to all political parties.
He said, “Nigerians are saying it must not be business as usual. They should stop harassing our people before, during and after the elections. They must allow people to choose freely through the ballot.
“I therefore urge the people of Oyo state to vote out non-performers because they have no business being in government.
“Governor Ajimobi, if anything happens to Ajanaku, we will hold you responsible. Everybody is free to belong to a party of his or her choice, enough of harassment of our candidates”.
All efforts made by DAILY POST to get the reaction of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communications and Strategy, Mr. Bolaji Tunji since yesterday proved abortive as messages sent to him to react to the allegation have not been responded to as at the time of filing this report.
But, the Publicly Secretary of the ruling APC, , Dr. Abdulazeez Olatunde while reacting said that the matter is beyond the APC and ZLP.
Olatunde who added that the matter has been taken to court added that Ajanaku has right to belong to any political party of his choice, but he should go and clear his name with the police and the court.
The APC spokesman in a telephone conversation with DAILY POST Wednesday morning said, “This is beyond what the ZLP is telling you journalists. Somebody has been caught, they were found in Ajanaku vehicle. They have been found with arms.
“It is beyond the issue that the APC is threatening the ZLP. It is all about the police, please. So it is not the APC that is threatening them. It is the police. So let them go and clear their name. So nobody is threatening anybody. Everybody has right to contest. That is our stand. They should face their electioneering. ”
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