The Ondo State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday, staged a protest against the sealing off of its party secretariat, following a planned protest against the continued absence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in the state, after his return from medical vacation abroad.
Security operatives, comprising operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, the Department of State Security, DSS, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, laid siege to the PDP secretariat from 6.30am, yesterday.
It was gathered that the sealing off of the party’s secretariat was sequel to a planned protest by PDP members, against the absence of the governor, since he returned to the country after his medical vacation abroad.
Despite the sealing of its secretariat, PDP members and leaders went ahead with the protest, asking Akeredolu to resume in the state or resign.
Since his return from the medical vacation, the governor has remained in his Ibadan residence, where he is said to be receiving treatment.
It will be recalled that the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the PDP have been engaging in war of words over alleged plans to instigate crisis, following the continued absence of Governor Akeredolu in the state.
While the APC said it uncovered plans by the opposition party to instigate crisis in the state to devalue the party, ahead of next year’s governorship election, the PDP dismissed the allegations.
Reacting to the sealing off of its party secretariat, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Kennedy Peretei, argued that Governor Akeredolu has not been seen in Ondo State since April this year.
He said: “A combined team of Police, DSS men and Anti-cultists Unit of the Nigerian Police stormed the Ondo State PDP Secretariat with Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, more than eight Hilux vehicles and nearly 400 men in all to seal off the secretariat to stall a PDP Youth Wing protest to demand the whereabouts of Governor Akeredolu.
“It took frantic efforts of members of the PDP State Working Committee before the secretariat gate was opened amidst serious tension and confrontation.
“Photojournalists were threatened to stop recording anything lest their cameras were smashed. But as the PDP youths forced themselves into the secretariat, proceeding on a street protest would amount to daring the trigger-happy police to do their worst.
“As much as the officers tried to stop the protest, they failed because the youths displayed their banners and placards to journalists who gained entrance into the secretariat.
“As we speak, the policemen are still in front of the secretariat with their vehicles. I want to use this medium to appeal to the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police and the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command to immediately withdraw their men from our secretariat.
“We cannot be intimidated by security agents who are paid with taxpayers’ money. We have the right to demand the whereabouts of the governor if he is missing in action.
“Early on Sunday, the APC spokesman in a fear-laden statement accused the PDP of instigating a crisis in Ondo State. We make bold to say that the presence of the security men is not unconnected with the APC’s fear of its shadow and their failure to get Akeredolu to come to Ondo State for the assignment he was elected for.
“Let it be known to all that we shall continue to demand for Akeredolu to resume or resign until either is achieved.”
