By Ismail Azeez
The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised the alarm over what it described as a purported plot to carry out high-profile political assassinations ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
The PDP, in a statement on Sunday signed by its Chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, stated that credible intelligence available indicated that the alleged plan was discussed during a recent political meeting held at the Ila-Orangun residence of former Osun State Governor and All Provinces Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Bisi Akande.
The party urged security agencies to thoroughly investigate the claims, stressing that the information was made public to ensure that those allegedly behind the reported plan understand that their activities are being monitored.
According to the statement, “Credible intelligence available to us points to a sinister plot allegedly hatched at a recent political meeting held at the Ila-Orangun residence of Chief Bisi Akande, former Governor of Osun State and a leading APC chieftain, where discussions were said to have centered on carrying out high-profile political assassinations targeting leaders and associates of the political platform under which His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke, is contesting the August 15 governorship election.”
“This alleged plot bears all the hallmarks of the last gasp kick of a dying horse, symptomatic of political elements who have realized that they can no longer achieve their objectives through legitimate democratic means. No political ambition should be allowed to degenerate into violence, bloodshed, or acts of political terror,” Bisi said.
The party alleged that some individuals it described as agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are planning to invade local government council secretariats across the state on Monday.
The party further alleged that former local government chairmen are planning to force their way into council facilities in what it described as an attempt to continue an illegal occupation and access public resources.
“The attention of security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, is hereby drawn to this dangerous plot. The police and other security institutions have a constitutional responsibility to protect lives, property, and democratic institutions.”
“We wish to restate unequivocally that these individuals have no legal standing whatsoever. They are political impostors whose claim to office has collapsed under the weight of judicial pronouncements and constitutional reality. Their tenure does not exist in law, and no amount of political grandstanding can give life to a mandate that never existed.”
“We therefore warn these APC errand boys to steer clear of all local government council secretariats in Osun State. Any attempt to forcefully gain access to council facilities or interfere with the lawful administration of local governments will amount to a direct assault on the rule of law and a deliberate provocation capable of threatening public peace.”
“It is instructive that the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo has dismissed every ground upon which these self-styled APC chairmen sought judicial validation for an extension of a tenure they never had in the first place. Having failed woefully in court, it is both reckless and irresponsible for them to contemplate resorting to self-help and lawlessness,” the statement added.