Group calls for security beef up as Ondo prepares for primary elections

The Network of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria, a sociopolitical pressure group, has called on security agencies in the country to beam their searchlight on Ondo state as political parties prepare for primary elections ahead of the state’s November Governorship Election.

The call is contained in a statement issued by the group’s National Coordinator, Comrade Victor Kalu, to newsmen in Owerri, on Friday.

Kalu said that the peaceful political environment and the height of political tolerance across party lines in the State for the past 16 years was a reference point for other states.

He however expressed fear that this was about to change following the “sudden reintroduction of Agbero/thugs – Garage politics(politicians) to the state by the present administration of Gov. Lucky Ayedatiwa, causing widespread concern among party members in particular and the entire citizens at large “.

“ The political system especially within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state has been regarded as the best in the country, but the recent introduction of violent and intimidating looking thugswithin and around the State Secretariat of the Party in Akure and in some Local Government Party Secretariats, is not only worrisome on the security of party officials and staff but also the safety of the entire state is in doubt.

“ We are worried about the Governor’s cold attitude towards arresting the gradual return of insecurity in the state within this few month he took over as the Governor of the State following the death of his Master the Former Governor.

“ Also, the Governor’s display of intolerance to opposing views and insistence on having his way in the party and in the State ahead of the APC primary election in particular and the Governorship election in the state, is putting the state’s politics on a dangerous trajectory.

“ We therefore call on the various security Agents to thoroughly investigate and bring to book the person or group of persons in charge of recruiting, training and deployment of thugs to all the nook and crannies of the state at this critical time the parties are planning their primaries to elect their flag bearer ahead of the November Governorship election “, he added.

He further called on the national leadership of the APC to call the Governor to order following the recent fights in the party adding that he has been severally accused by his party members of being behind the political and recent security challenges/thuggery activities in the state.

He however appealed to the aspirants especially in the ruling APC including the Governor to put the interest of the people first and above personal and selfish political interest of governing the state by all means.