Ibadan'ALLIANCE for Democracy (AD), the party controlling the six South-West states, has accused the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of provoking the Yoruba people.
In a statement, AD National Director of Publicity, Mr. Opeyemi
Bamidele, warned that there might be trouble should PDP insist on its
bid to rule at all cost.
Gov. Lam Adesina of Oyo State also speaking declared that the AD was
prepared to return fire for fire.
Both reacted to weekend threat by the PDP to take over the South-West
states in 2003. But the governor who spoke after the parliamentary
caucus meeting of the AD in the state asked President Olusegun
Obasanjo to call his men to order because anybody who plays with
fire in Oyo State, the fire will consume the person.
Mr. Bamidele in his statement said the AD was embarrassed and
alarmed at the reprehensible conduct of the PDP leaders in the region,
their unguarded utterances and sadistic behaviour which is
increasingly becoming a threat to the peace and security of the
region.
Continuing, he said on one hand is the false alarms raised by
Commodore Olabode George (rtd.) on the intentions of our party for the
next elections. On the other hand is the immature public insinuations
against our party by the self-proclaimed apostle of amala politics,
Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu. Yet, barely three days ago, Chief Richard
Akinjide added his own contribution to the mess by threatening to
repeat the uncivilised NPN strategy of hate politics, thuggery,
bribery and inter-tribal violence throughout the South-West.
While recalling the controversy that greeted Chief Sunday Afolabi, the
Internal Affairs Minister and PDP leader in the region's statement
that Chief Bola Ige, the Federal Attorney-General was invited into
government to come and eat,
the AD said the ground is
gradually being prepared for a bloody confrontation between the masses
of the region and these their long time oppressors.
On the suggestion that the AD had decided to adopt President Obasanjo for a second term, the AD said it was too early to take such a decision.
In what appeared to be an indictment of the PDP government, the AD
said Mr. President ... is yet to fulfil his electoral promises of
providing steady electricity supply, excellent road network, abundant
food supply, decent and qualitative education, employment
opportunities or adequate security for the citizens.
Gov. Adesina on his part said: We reviewed the situation in the
last three or four days in this state particularly in Ibadan. When we
viewed the activities of the PDP vis-a-vis the declaration by one time
governor of the state, Chief Kolapo Ishola and their forum at Premier
Hotel last Saturday, it is our feeling that the PDP leadership in the
country and the President of the country should call on their leaders
in the South-West not to play with fire because fire burns. And
anybody who plays with fire in Oyo State, the fire will consume that
person. It is quite a wonder that somebody who should pass for a
statesman at this point in time, that is Chief Richard Akinjide should
not be planning to rig 2002 and 2003 elections as he and others did in
1983.
It is very painful. If the man could not aspire for any position
again, he should allow those who want to aspire to fulfil their
ambitions under a free and fair atmosphere. It is this same man who
denied Nigeria the services of Chief Awolowo who has been described as
the best President that Nigeria never had.
Let him be warned that the people of Oyo State are wiser and they
will meet him wherever he wants the battle to take place.
Now, Nigeria is greater than one person. He is also boasting that
he will be the consultant to some states in this process of rigging
elections. I do believe that Mr. President will not allow this type of
people to ruin his chances because any rigging of the poll either in
2002 or 2003 will put Nigeria out of its existence. I pray may this
not happen.
Again this other man who always swims in trouble water. Dr. Victor
Olunloyo. He is not even ashamed that what he did in 1983, he is
planning to do the same again.
How can a man who during the three months of his tenure as governor
here, a governor by a rigged poll, drove away all non-indigenes, the
Egbas, Ijeshas, Ijebus, Ekiti out of Ibadan. Will that type of person
be talking and anybody should be listening to him again?
Gov. Adesina who was fuming with anger said, adding: Definitely,
the good people of Ibadan will not allow such a person to lead them by
the nose again. If he wants to cause any confusion. Let him get out of
Ibadan or Oyo State and go somewhere else.
It is forbidden for anybody, be if man or woman of Ibadan origin to
seek the destruction of Oyo State at this point in time.
However, sources close to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), informed Vanguard that the commission might soon come up with regulations on utterances of politicians on electoral matters. The source indicated that while INEC was worried about the trend it decided to wait for the passage of the electoral bill before commenting on the issue.
![[Documents menu]](../bin/bk.gif)