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LG Polls: Kwara PDP engages CP over clampdown on members

The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state have engaged the state’s commissioner of Police, Mr Victor Olaiya, urging him to address concerns over the reported clampdown on party members in the aftermath of the recent local government elections.

The meeting, which took place at the Kwara state police command headquarters Thursday evening, was initiated by the PDP leadership to clarify the party’s position and express their concerns about the treatment of their members.

During the meeting, the PDP leaders which comprises of Alhaji Ladi Hassan, former Chief of Staff to Bukola Saraki, former member kwara state house of assembly, Hon. Sikirat Anako, former member, board of trustees of PDP and former Commissioner, Hon.Nimota Ibrahim, party elder, Alhaji Jimoh Adesina, former leader, kwara house of assembly, Hon. Abdulrafiu Abdulrahman and former Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, Hon.Tajudeen Alabi, expressed their firm stance that the party, as the primary opposition in the state, is committed to upholding peace and ensuring the stability of Kwara state.

They reassured the commissioner of police that the PDP has no intention of disrupting the peace or inciting unrest, despite being in opposition.

However, they also emphasized the importance of allowing space for opposition voices to be heard, without harassment or intimidation.

The PDP leaders drew comparisons to their time in power, stating that while they were in office, they faced intense political opposition and propaganda, yet they ensured that the opposition had the freedom to operate without undue interference.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ladi Hassan, who led the PDP delegation, stated: “It’s a simple visit just to let the CP know that we are not happy with some of the things happening in Kwara 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 in prison now on 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.”

He added “We are in opposition and we accepted our fate. We wait for another 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”.

The party leadership remains hopeful that their engagement with the police will result in a more peaceful and inclusive political atmosphere going forward.