APC, PDP preach peace amid violence in Osun

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State have called on their supporters to maintain the peace amid violent attacks in some parts of the state.

APC alleged that fewer than 18 of its members in Ila-Orangun, Ila Council of the state, were yesterday admitted at the state general hospital in Asubiaro, Osogbo, after attacks last Saturday by hoodlums suspected to be political thugs.

Osun APC chairman, Gboyega Famodun, urged the police to intervene and put an end to political attacks in the state, which could cause political crisis.

He, however, called the party’s loyalists to be calm and shun all forms of reprisal in the interest of peace.

Chairman of Osun PDP, Soji Adagunodo, alleged that the police had not been up and doing, as members of the party had been experiencing attacks since Thursday last week.

He urged PDP supporters to maintain calm and shun acts capable of disrupting the electoral process.

On her part, the state’s police commissioner, Mrs Abiodun Ige, said the police would ensure that perpetrators of dastardly acts were brought to justice.

Similarly, the governor, Gboyega Oyetola, has asked citizens to remain peaceful without losing interest in the electoral process.

Reacting to the rescheduled elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the governor implored the people to turn out in their numbers on Saturday to exercise their franchise.

The governor, according to a statement by his chief press secretary, Adeniyi Adesina, said: “Let all citizens of Osun remain calm and peaceful despite the disappointment of the one-week postponement of the general elections.

“I implore our people not to lose interest in the electoral process as a result of this temporary setback. All eligible voters should not be deterred, but turn out en masse on February 23 and March 9 to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice.”