The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship election in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) plans to deploy operatives of the Amotekun Corps for the election.
According to the PDP candidate, the appointment of the Commander of Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, as Chairman of the Security Committee of the APC campaign council, was a plot to deploy the operatives as thugs during the poll.
While describing the alleged appointment of the Amotekun Corps into the campaign council subcommittee as abuse of power, the Campaign Organisation of Agboola Ajayi, in a statement issued by Ayo Fadaka, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, stated that the development will bare consequences.
The opposition party, which vowed to resist any attempt to drag the Amotekun Corps into the elections, stated that thugs are currently being camped to cause mayhem during the election.
“We are also aware that “barracks” have been opened for thugs across the state, and we will furnish the police and other security agencies with the addresses of hotels and facilities being used for this purpose.
“We are also aware of plans by APC to cause security scares in a number of local governments where they “say” they will use their primary election template. Again, we are also aware of plans to pick some members of our party up using fake policemen; all these ludicrous plans are a clear invitation to crisis, and in spite of all, they will not abate APC’s failure in the election.”
Meanwhile, the ruling party has described the allegations of the PDP governorship candidate as false, emphasising that the Amotekun Commander was never appointed to any of the committees of the party’s campaign council.
APC, in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, who described the allegations as grave, said, “These allegations are nothing but figments of the PDP’s imagination. Firstly, the PDP falsely claimed that Chief Tunji Adeleye, Commander of the Amotekun Corps, has been named Chairman of the APC Security Committee. This is a blatant lie.
“The Amotekun Corps is a professional body dedicated to protecting the people, not engaging in politics. Moreover, we don’t even have a security committee in the Aiyedatiwa Campaign Council.
“The PDP’s allegations of violence, thuggery, and plans to cause security scares are also baseless. In fact, it’s the PDP that’s been crying wolf, trying to distract from their own lack of preparation for the election. We urge the security agencies to investigate these claims and bring perpetrators to justice.
“Our campaign is focused on issues, not misinformation. We’re committed to working for the people, not spreading false allegations. The PDP should join us in promoting a peaceful and issue-based campaign.
“We call on the good people of Ondo State to disregard the PDP’s baseless allegations and focus on the real issues that affect their lives. Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has delivered on its promises, and we’re committed to continuing this progress.
“Let’s work together to ensure a free, fair, and credible election in Ondo State. We’re confident that our issue-based campaign, coupled with Governor Aiyedatiwa’s outstanding track record, will earn us victory at the polls.
“We urge all stakeholders, including security agencies, to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to disrupt the electoral process. Let’s work together to ensure a peaceful and successful election in Ondo State.”