Grassroots Activist, Shoderu Oluseyi, raises alarm over threats to life and family for resisting political manipulation
A Nigerian grassroots activist, Shoderu Oluseyi Olanrewaju, may flee the country citing threats to his life and family over his refusal to compromise in local political affairs.
Addressing pressman on Monday in Lagos, the state capital, the grassroots activist said his troubles dated back to the year 2022 when he was advocating for community participation and his firm stance against electoral manipulation allegedly put him at odds with influential political actors in his community
Shoderu said efforts by some top political gladiators in his community to make him bow to pressure from them was roundly rejected by him in all angles hence the beginning of his problem with both the grassroot and the state government
Narrating his ordeal before members of the press in Lagos, the state capital on Monday, some bystanders said he may seek asylum in Oversea if the pains of living in his fatherland become unbearable to him.
They revealed that he might relocate to other countries if something is not urgently done by the security apparatus in the State to save him and his family from political persecution which he said is not ordinary.
“I’m seriously facing political persecution by some top community gladiators because I was vocal and stood by lawful conduct, so they saw me as an obstacle,” Shoderu said. “They made my family and me targets.”
Speaking further, the grassroots activist said “My problem started since January 2022 refusing to bow to pressure from these powerful political figures, he claims, made him a target.
According to Shoderu, his stance against electoral malpractice led to several attacks on his life and family. In 20th February 2023, political thugs allegedly set fire to his house and business, forcing his family to scatter for safety. He says he was kidnapped multiple times, tortured, and detained by security agents working in collaboration with some of these political gladiators in his community
He said “I sought for protection from the police after facing violent attacks from political thugs and despite reporting his ordeal, he alleged that no meaningful action was taken.
Shoderu accused some security personnel of aiding his persecutors, adding that efforts to get help from law enforcement yielded no results. “Instead of acting on my complaints, some officers advised me to comply with the demands of those behind the attacks,” he alleged.
While answering questions from pressmen, the turned activist said the issue of political assassination in Nigeria has become worrisome that has claimed the life of highly intelligent people with good intentions to govern the country, people like late Dele Arojo,GODWIN AGBROKO, ABAYOMI OGUNDEJI, Funsho Williams, Ayo Daramola, Dipo Dina, Abubakar Audu, Ogbonaya Uche, Odunayo Omobolanle Olagbaju, Lateef Olaniyan just to mention a few and the riddles surrounding their sudden deaths remained unsolved till today.
