The Youth Initiative against Political Violence in Oyo State has commended Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Accord gubernatorial candidate in the state, for his peaceful approach and that of his party to the campaign process in the state.
The group noted the leadership qualities of Senator Ladoja, which lay emphasis on peace and stability as a foundation for progress and development.
In a press release by the Director of Communications of the Ladoja 2015 organization, Akannmu Adeyanju, the group, led by its President, Elder Wole Olaleye, was in Ladoja’s Bodija residence on Sunday to express their condolences on the death of two members of Accord that were killed in a political attack last week in Ibadan allegedly by thugs of the leading opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress.
Elder Olaleye praised the matured manner Senator Ladoja handled the situation, which could have degenerated into a major political crises if not for the timely intervention of Senator Ladoja.
The group said Accord remains the most peaceful party in Oyo State as the party abhors violence and the party campaigns are based on issues that will bring oneness and progress to the people of the state.
The president of the group recalled a similar incidence in 2005 and 2006 when violence was used as an instrument to intimidate Ladoja who was a sitting governor at that time, but that he followed the rule of law and never encouraged his supporters to use violence as a means of self help.
According to Olaleye, Ladoja is a leader that never believes in bloodshed as a means of acquiring or staying in power and that is why the people of Oyo State are routing for him to come and lead them as the governor of the state come May 29, 2015.
In a similar incidence, thousands of Accord supporters stormed the Bodija residence of Senator Ladoja on Sunday demanding for justice and that the perpetrators of last week’s attack on Accord members in Ibadan should be speedily brought to book without further delay.
The group, led by Alhaji Dele Oriowo, urged the Commissioner of Police in the state not to send a wrong signal by sweeping the case under the carpet.
The protesters insisted that the godfathers of the political thugs should be exposed and prosecuted as violence has become a tool to intimidate accord members in the state.
Senator Ladoja appealed to the protesters to remain calm and should not resort to violence as a means of self-help as the Nigerian Police and other security agencies will ensure that justice is carried out on the matter.
Ladoja enjoined them to continue to preach peace and sell the party’s programmes because the ruling APC in the state failed the people and they know they are on their way out and violence has become a major tool for them to intimidate Accord supporters.
Senator Ladoja said the APC-led government since 2012 has been unleashing violence on members of the opposition and that he was twice a victim of such attacks and yet they claim they are the originator of peace and security.
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