Alleged Post-LG Elections Crackdown: Kwara PDP Delegation Urges Neutrality, Fairness During Meeting With CP Olaiya In Ilorin

Some among leaders and stakeholders in the Kwara State PDP held an important meeting with the state police chief, Mr Victor Olaiya in Ilorin, the state capital, on Thursday during which they discussed the alleged post –local government elections crackdown on opposition members in the state.

Recall that the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWAISEC) had declared all the chairmanship and councillorship candidates of the ruling APC victorious in the local government elections held in the state on September 21, 2024.

A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com noted that the meeting which took place at the Kwara State Police Command headquarters, Ilorin, was at the instance of the state PDP to clarify the party’s position and express concerns about the party members being allegedly treated badly.

The PDP delegation comprises former Chief of Staff, Government House, Ilorin, Alhaji Ladi Hassan,   former member of the Kwara State house of assembly, Hon. Sikirat Anako, former member, Board of Trustees of PDP and a one-time Commissioner for Lands and Housing,  Hon.Nimota Ibrahim,  a party chieftain, Alhaji Jimoh Adesina, former member of the state house of assembly,  Hon. Abdulrafiu Abdulrahman and a former Special Adviser on Security , Hon.Tajudeen Alabi.

The statement noted that they expressed their firm stance that the PDP, as the leading opposition party in the state, is committed to upholding peace and ensuring stability in Kwara State.

They reassured the Commissioner of Police that the PDP has no intention to disrupt the peace or incite unrest, despite being in opposition while however emphasizing the importance of allowing a space for opposition voices to be heard, without harassment or intimidation.

The delegation noted that as a ruling party in the state before 2019, the party had  faced intense opposition and propaganda but still ensured that the opposition had the freedom to operate without undue interference. 

‘It’s a simple visit just to let the CP know that we are not happy with some of the things happening in  the state. As members of the opposition, we are interested in peace. We are not interested in trouble. We came to see the Commissioner of Police so that the police under his command could allow us some breathing space. The way they are harassing our people, we are not happy. One of our members is behind bars now sequel to unnecessary charges. Some of them were released this afternoon. We don’t need all these things. When we were in government for almost 20 years, we tolerated the opposition’ Alhaji Ladi Hassan, who led the PDP delegation, submitted.

‘We didn’t harass anybody. We didn’t jail anybody, we didn’t send anybody to prison unduly. So, why are our members being harassed ? The government of the day should tolerate opposition. You cannot beat somebody and say that person should not cry. It’s not possible. 

We are in opposition and we accepted our fate. We will wait for next election. But you continue to harass our people. It’s not proper. So, that’s why we have come here to see the CP to express our dissatisfaction. And we’re happy he spoke to us very well, and he received us very well, and he was happy that we are peace-loving people. One of our members, a former council chairman, is in jail now. He’s in prison over trumped-up charges. So ,we don’t want that kind of thing.

We should not go back to the olden days. Kwara State used to be very volatile, where you see the government in power and the opposition chasing each other. We don’t want to get to that kind of situation. We should move forward. Every state is moving forward. We should move forward’ he added.

Also speaking, Hon Tajudeen Alabi urged the Commissioner of Police to let peace reign among the political parties in Kwara State while urging fairness.

He said: ‘My advice to the Commissioner of Police is that he should let all the political parties see him as their Commissioner of Police. The opposition should be allowed a breathing space and let peace reign in the state.

As the political tension lingers following the local government polls, the meeting highlighted the PDP’s push for fair treatment of opposition members and its concerns over maintaining the democratic space in Kwara State. The party leadership remains hopeful that their engagement with the police will result in a more peaceful and inclusive political atmosphere going forward’-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you