“We condemn the violence brigandage, unlawful abduction of perceived opponents, and undue harassment of innocent party members.”
The Ekiti Democratic Movement (EDM) has condemned the conduct of politicians during the primary elections of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC).
The convener Akinola Busuyi told journalists in Ado-Ekiti that the call became necessary to caution political gladiators against acts that could truncate the democratic process.
“We condemn the violence brigandage, unlawful abduction of perceived opponents, and undue harassment of innocent party members. Heating up of the political atmosphere in the desperation to get the governorship ticket of the party by the gladiators is condemnable,” stated Mr Busuyi.
He added, “We make bold to say that these activities are critically threatening the sustainability of democracy in Nigeria, to the extent that the gains of the nation’s democracy may be eroded, if proper care is not taken.”
Mr Busuyi alleged that aside from the violence that characterised the gubernatorial primary of the PDP on Wednesday, the APC governorship primary of Thursday also failed to comply with the democratic norms.
“It has been reported that certain people had bought over the governorship primary electoral committee led by Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa and also used top government functionaries to hijack the exercise,” he added.
In reaction, the secretary to the committee, Victor Olabimtan, described the allegations as untrue.
According to Mr Busuyi, aggrieved APC governorship aspirants alleged that top government functionaries and appointees were used as returning officers for the election in the 16 local government areas and 177 Wards across the state.
Mr Busuyi further called on the parties’ leadership to ensure that the electoral process was peaceful, transparent, fair, and devoid of manipulation.
He urged the major dominant parties to prevail on their supporters to shun violence before, during, and after the governorship election.
(NAN)
