With the State Assembly election less than 24 hours away, Okun Development Initiatives (ODI) implores politicians and party faithfuls alike to eschew all acts that will jeopardize the peace and tranquility of Okunland during and after the election.
We have received with great concern reported and confirmed incidents of violence, unprovoked attacks and abductions of individuals in Okunland in the last 18 hours. This is worrisome on the eve of the State Assembly election considering the peaceful manner the Presidential and National Assembly election was conducted.
Okun Development Initiatives (ODI) hereby appeals to all political actors to shun all acts and pronouncements that will perpetrate any form of violence throughout the election process.
Okunland is not known for violence in any form and no individual or group of persons should import a strange culture into our politics.
Several months of electioneering is enough to persuade voters to make informed and wise decision on how they will cast their ballots.
Election is not war and no matter how inordinate the aspiration of any individual or persons, it must not be at the expense of the lives and well-being of the people.
Okun Development Initiatives (ODI) implores the electorate not to be intimidated with the pockets of violence witnessed so far and come out to vote for candidates of their choice as appropriate agencies of Government have given assurance of adequate security.
The State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has appealed for peaceful election and his pronouncement must be given due consideration by all well meaning Kogites.
Those bent on turning Okunland into a theatre of hostilities are advised to refrain and allow the outcome of the election to be a true reflection of the wishes of the people. That after all is the essence and beauty of democracy.
Parents and guardians are advised to prevail on their children and ward not to allow themselves to be used as thugs or agents of destabilization to be spared the consequences of any illegal conduct.
It is hoped that reason will be allowed to prevail by all and sundry.
Signed:
Apostle Olalekan Aiyenigba,
Secretary General, Okun Development Initiatives (ODI)
