By Ayodele Oni
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun state has drawn the attention of National Security Adviser(NSA), Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Usman Alkali Baba, to massive proliferation of illegal arms in the state.
The party noted that this has led to coercion of people of the state to vote against their choice candidates in the ongoing general elections.
The Acting Chairman of the APC, in the state, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement in Osogbo, on Sunday, stated that it is disheartening and scary that the whole state has been militarized by some persons recruited by the state government to unleash terror on opposition members.
According to him, the state has been turned to a garrison for the political hoodlums, who are loyal to Governor Ademola Adeleke and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who openly flaunt sophisticated arms and amunitions in the state.
Lawal disclosed that these political thugs, since the inauguration of the administration of Governor Adeleke on November 27, 2022 have turned the entire state into an abattoir for the slaughtering of human beings.
The acting State APC chairman hinted that there have been unjustifiable attacks and killings, stating that no fewer than 30 members of the opposition have been sent to their untimely death by the Adeleke goons within less than hundred days of his administration.
He explained that the PDP and Adeleke have been using the armed thugs to threaten and terrorize members and supporters of his party from casting their votes for their choices of candidates during previous elections in the state.
Lawal stated that before any credible election can be held in the state, there is need for the NSA and the IGP to immediately embark on withdrawal of arms, which has turned the state into Namibia of the 1970’s where incessant killings were the orders of the day.
He reminded both the NSA and the IGP that they owe the inhabitants of the state the duty of statutory protection of their lives and property as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I doubt it if there is any credible, free and fair election that can be held in Osun State under the present heavily militarized condition by the PDP thugs.
“We enjoin your good offices to handle the suggested withdrawal of the illegal arms and ammunition from the PDP political thugs before the House of Assembly elections this Saturday with dispatch.
“What we are saying is that the electorate should be allowed to vote for their choice candidates without coercion.”
 in Osun state has drawn the attention of National Security Adviser(NSA), Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Usman Alkali Baba, to massive proliferation of illegal arms in the state.){kind=link}