Date: 2014-08-28

The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned in strong terms the brazen display of gun-power by both youths and elders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ajase-ipo, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State on Wednesday.

In a statement by the PDP Publicity Secretary, the party implored the Kwara State Police Command to quickly stop the tide of violence that is now gradually enveloping parts of Kwara State as a result of power tussle over the second term ambition of the incumbent Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

As much we are little bothered about the raging internal crisis within the APC, we are however concerned that the peace of a sizeable portion of Kwara state is being threatened due to the desperation of the incumbent Governor, Mr. Abdulfatah Ahmed to go for a 2nd term in office.

The fracas in Ajase-Ipo has only vindicated our position that the leadership of the Kwara APC are only interested in retaining power at all cost and at the detriment of the peace and tranquillity of the state.

According to newspaper reports, the bloody fracas was caused by aggrieved Kwara South APC youth leaders who stormed the venue of a meeting where the 2nd term bid of the governor was being perfected and beat up their party elders black and blue. Already, about 20 chieftains of the APC, including a former Commissioner of Works in the state, have been reported to have been hospitalized and are now being treated with varying degrees of bodily injury.

As much as we do not encourage the violence employed by the APC youths, we however note with delight their rare courage to stand against the inequity of allowing their non-performing kinsman clinch a 2nd term ticket in the APC. The youths, having realized that their elders have been compromised with peanuts, have decided to take their destinies in their own hands.

Ironically, the Kwara APC has continued to live in denial of the crisis currently ravaging their party. By this open confrontation of the APC stalwarts in Kwara State, it is now clear like crystal that the several lies of the APC, which has travelled for months unhindered and unnoticed, has now been caught up by truth. What the leadership of the APC has for months repressed and suppressed from the public glare has now been blown open.

We recall that we had a few weeks ago, advised the APC to look inward for the criminals that vandalized its billboards across the state. But, instead of heeding the priceless advice, the Kwara APC characteristically left the core for the mundane and resorted to name calling and mud-sliding. Are we not now vindicated?

As a party, we have always believed that no matter how hard the APC tries to whitewash itself in the consciousness of the masses, its legendary violent nature is but its albatross. And like a leopard, the Kwara APC, contrary to its public pretensions, has been unable to shed its violent toga as evident from the yesterday's unfortunate incidence, which has now left several APC leaders in the south injured and hospitalized.

We are therefore constrained to ask, how much blood of innocent Kwarans is worth the ambition of Mr. Abdulfatah Ahmed? When would 'enough' be truly 'enough' for the Kwara APC and its Governor? Kwarans await an answer!

Chief Rex Kola Olawoye
Publicity Secretary