LP petitions Osun CP over alleged intimidation

Few weeks to the general elections, the Labour Party in Osun State has accused the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria of attacking members of the opposition.

Addressing a news conference in Osogbo, the Osun State Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. Rufus Oyatoro, said six members of his party were attacked by ACN members in Atakumosa-East last week.

The copy of a petition by the opposition party, which was sent to the Commissioner of Police, Osun State, Mr. Solomon Olusegun, said the LP House of Representatives candidate in Ila-Orangun, Mr. Ismaila Kolawole, was threatened by ACN supporters.

According to the petition made available to our correspondent on Monday, the LP candidate for Ila-Orangun Local Government Council, Mr. Ajani Babatunde, was also allegedly threatened by ACN supporters, stressing that “politics should not be a do-or-die affair.”

But the Director, Research and Strategy, Osun ACN, Mr. Sunday Akere, debunked the allegations of the opposition party, saying there was no cause for ACN members to attack members of the opposition.

He said, “Why would ACN attack Labour Party members? What purpose would that serve? It is common knowledge that Governor Rauf Aregbesola has repeatedly warned against political violence among all political parties.

“The days of political brigandage in Osun are over for good. Labour Party is just crying wolf.”