Group Condemn Politically-Instigated Harassment, Intimidation And Victimisation In Ondo
As the electioneering campaign for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State gathers momentum, a group; Coalition of Oodua Stakeholders (COS) has warned againstunprovoked and unlawful arrests and incarceration of some youth across the state ostensibly on political. According to the group in a press release in Lagos on Wednesday, it alleged that “24-hours preceding the flag-off of the campaign of one of the leading governorship aspirants in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, a number of youth across the state were reported to have been arrested and detained”.
The condemned the hostile approach being adopted by the security agents; particularly the police as the electioneering activities in the state enters a feverish momentum. The group maintains that the police and all the security agents must remain apolitical and professional in dealing with all stakeholders towards ensuring peaceful and credible elections in Ondo State.
Coalition of Oodua Stakeholders urge political parties, the governorship candidates and their supporters to maintain high level of restrain and discipline in their conduct. It group also called on the security agents to discharge their duties by refraining from any act that will amount to politically-motivated witch-hunt leading to harassment, intimidation and victimisation of electorate and people of Ondo state.
The group frowned at premeditated and selective harassment and intimidation of any individual and or group by any arm of the security agencies in Ondo state under whatever guise and therefore demand urgent and unconditional release of the affected youth regardless of their political parties or affiliation.
The group also warned that the security agenciesshould allow enabling environment devoid of fearand hostility in Ondo State. The group maintained that only a level-playing ground that affirmsfundamental human rights, freedom of association and movement as well as liberty of opinions could guarantee free, fair and credible poll in Ondo State. The group therefore demand immediate stoppage to politically-instigated harassment, intimidation and victimization by security agents in Ondo State.