In the lead-up to the November 16th governorship election in Ondo State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised serious allegations against the incumbent Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa, accusing him of conspiring to manipulate the electoral process.
The PDP claims that the governor is working with Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, a controversial figure known for his connections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his involvement in previous elections.
The Ondo State PDP, in a statement released by its Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ayo Fadaka, expressed concerns that Governor Ayedatiwa’s administration is planning to compromise the peace and security of the state to rig the upcoming election.
The party alleges that the governor is using state resources, including the security vote, to fund activities aimed at intimidating political opponents and undermining the electoral process.
The statement specifically mentions the involvement of MC Oluomo, who has a reputation for using coercive tactics during elections, particularly in Lagos and other South-Western states.
The PDP claims that the governor recently hosted MC Oluomo in Ondo State, raising suspicions about the purpose of his visit. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the governor might have given MC Oluomo a sum of $1 million during this visit, further fueling concerns about potential electoral misconduct.
Another significant concern raised by the PDP is the appointment of a security firm, Global Olabod Resources, by the state government. According to the party, this firm has been tasked with protecting farmers and their farms.
However, the PDP believes that this contract is part of a broader strategy to manipulate the election. The party argues that the responsibilities assigned to this private firm should fall under the jurisdiction of the Amotekun Security Network, a regional security outfit.
The PDP’s statement claims that the real intention behind hiring this firm is to coordinate security activities in a way that could facilitate electoral fraud. The party points out that the firm’s involvement is suspicious, particularly given the recent denial by Gbenga Atiba, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, who stated that the firm was only responsible for the enumeration of farmers.
The statement refers to recent incidents where several APC members in Ondo East, including Snr Apostle Akinmejiwa Olusola and Alhaji Adesina Salami, reported threats to their lives. These threats allegedly came from the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji, after they accused him of misappropriating palliatives sent by the Federal Government to their local government.
The PDP suggests that these internal conflicts within the APC are indicative of a broader pattern of violence and intimidation that has plagued the party in recent years. The party recalls similar incidents of violence during the governorship primary election that saw Lucky Ayedatiwa emerge as the APC candidate.
According to the PDP, the primary election was marred by widespread violence, with many opponents and their supporters being severely injured.
In response to these developments, the PDP has called on the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant security agencies to closely monitor the situation in Ondo State.
The party warns that the involvement of MC Oluomo and the deployment of a private security firm could lead to significant unrest and violence during the election.
The PDP also issued a stern warning to the APC, urging them to adhere to the rules and conduct the election peacefully. The party emphasized that it abhors violence but will not hesitate to respond if provoked. “We may appear civil, but our civility is not an act of weakness,” the statement reads.
