Afenifere chieftain and Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to hold the 2014 Ekiti and Osun States governorship election the same day so as to prevent influx of political thugs into the two states.
Adeyeye, who was reacting to the arrest of over 180 political thugs from Osun State, meant for the Anambra State governorship election, said: “If the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in Osun State could send over 180 thugs to Anambra from the State alone, one can begin to imagine how many thugs they will send to Ekiti State for the 2014 governorship election if the election is not held the same day.”
He called on the Police to make sure that the thugs are prosecuted and jailed, saying: “Those thugs must not be allowed to return to Osun State where they came from.”
He wondered why a state governor in Osun State would recruit thugs for an election that is taking place in faraway Anambra State, using public fund.
Adeyeye said: “The reported arrest of over 180 thugs from Osun State in Imo State with two pump action guns, fake voters card and fake INEC identity cards is a development that should worry all lovers of free and fair elections in Nigeria.
“This is because if police could arrest over 180 thugs, only God knows how many thugs have been ferried into Anambra State by the APC for tomorrow’s election.
“One can also begin to imagine how many thugs will be moved to Ekiti State from Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos and Edo States during the 2014 governorship election.
“Therefore, to minimise the invasion of Ekiti State with thugs from Osun State before, during and after the election, INEC should hold the governorship election in the two States the same day.
“INEC should also look critically into the use of election observers as it has been turned to an avenue through which political thugs are moved around during elections.”
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